The subject of computer backups is rife with jargon and highly specialized terminology. This page is a glossary of backup terms that aims to clarify the meaning of such jargon and terminology.

Terms and definitions

3-2-1 Rule (or 3-2-1 Backup Strategy) Backup policy Backup rotation scheme Backup site Backup software Backup window Copy backup Daily backup Data salvaging/recovery Differential backup Disaster recovery Disk cloning Disk image Full backup Hot backup Incremental backup Media spanning Multiplexing Multistreaming Normal backup Near store Open file backup Remote store Restore time Retention time Site-to-site backup Synthetic backup Tape library Trusted paper key Virtual Tape Library (VTL)