What is the purpose of an incremental backup?

The purpose of an incremental backup is to efficiently save only the files that have been created or modified since the last complete backup. This approach is particularly beneficial because it minimizes storage space and reduces backup time compared to a full backup, which copies all data every time the backup process is initiated.

Incremental backups work by capturing changes, allowing users to restore their data more quickly and easily without the need to restore the entire system. After performing a complete backup, subsequent incremental backups will only include new or modified files, leading to faster backup processes and less resource usage.

This strategy is especially useful in environments where data changes frequently, as it allows for maintaining a current backup while conserving storage resources and time. Understanding this concept is critical for effective data management and disaster recovery strategies.