A full backup is a complete copy of all data from a specific system or storage device. This type of backup captures everything, including files, applications, and system settings, ensuring that all information is preserved in one single operation. Full backups are essential for data recovery, as they provide a comprehensive snapshot of the system at a particular point in time.
While full backups offer thorough protection, they can require significant storage space and time to complete. Organizations often schedule full backups regularly, sometimes in combination with other backup types, such as incremental backups or differential backups, to optimize storage and recovery efficiency.