Difference between Archive and Backup

The rapid growth of data and information raised the need for data storage and data reversal. The next two terms, archive and backup, are widely used for this purpose. The basic purpose of both is related to data security and governance. However, they both perform their functions in different styles with different features and options. Here is the detail of both terms and the differences between them.

What is Archive?

Archive means the storage of those long-term digital data or assets of the company or computer, which are not changed frequently and will be used in the future for reference. The basic purpose of the archive is to organize and preserve the data for a longer period of time. You can save it in multiple forms of media. You can save it to CD/DVD or cloud storage or hard drive or flash storage. Since you have to organize and store it for a long period of time, an inexpensive data storage option is favorable. The same functions are performed by archiving in the computer system. On the computer, it stores the computer files along with the metadata. It results in the availability of more storage space on the hard drive.

What is Backup?

Backup means to copy or duplicate files and documents to a second medium on a computer. Either on disk or flash storage drive. So in case you have lost your data, you can get it back using the backup feature. Many IT professionals recommend backing up your data two or three times daily because even a newer computer can easily crash, resulting in data loss. Backup also results in the availability of more storage space on the hard drive because it compresses the data files. In addition, the backup also requires less disk to store. Most of the organizations used third party software or service to backup data to computer or any online data storage services. In this way, they ensure the safety of your important data. So the basic purpose of backup is to store the data and recover the lost data.

Key differences

1. The archive is used to protect the data for a longer period of time in order to preserve it, while the basic purpose of the backup is the quick recovery of routine data.
2. Data restore speed and file searchability are faster than backup. Archive takes half as long compared to backup for restore and search.
3. The file is more important than the backup. The backup only contains the data at risk of loss. While the file is more vital for some companies and organizations due to legal requirements.
4. Archive files should be inspected after short intervals of time because if the medium on which you archive files has been changed, there will no longer be any benefit from using that storage medium. While there are no such critical issues in the backup.
5. The backup is the copy of the original data, while the file itself is an original file.