When you think of data backup, the first thing that comes to mind is probably that critical document you’ve spent forever bringing up to scratch – the one that pesky client has spent weeks chasing you for.
But backing up your business means far more than simply creating a copy of all your documents and emails. You also need to consider your system state. But what is system state backup, and how does it compare to protecting your user data?
What is system state backup?
A system state comprises all the configurations, registry settings, and system files that make up your operating system (OS). If you think of your OS like a house for your user data, the system state is the blueprint upon which that house is built.
When your OS goes down and you need to reboot it, having a system state backup allows you to recover your OS to its previous form. By avoiding the need to reinstall and reconfigure the entire ecosystem, it provides a shortcut back to normality.
What does a system state backup include?
Operating systems are highly complex and consist of various components. A system state backup will typically contain the following:
- Registry data: System and application settings.
- Active Directory: User authentication, group policies, and domain services.
- Boot files: System files needed to start up the OS.
- COM+ class registration database: For applications that rely on COM+ services.
- System files and DLLs: Critical Windows files and dynamic link libraries.
- Certificate services database: For environments that use public key authentication infrastructure.
- Cluster database: For high-availability configurations in clustered environments.
By capturing these components, system state backups prevent the need to manually reinstall the entire OS. This will protect business continuity.
Why is system state backup important?
Backing up your system state may feel less important than backing up your user data because you aren’t interacting with it on a day-to-day basis. However, if your system goes down and you need a rapid recovery, you’ll soon discover how lost you are without it.
Here’s the difference having a system state backup makes:
1. Recovery speed
From malicious malware attacks to accidental misconfigurations, system failures have various causes. When minimising downtime becomes the priority, there’s no substitute for a system state backup.
2. Cyber threat protection
In the event of a ransomware attack, your system state backup acts as a crucial recovery mechanism. A clean backup allows you to revert to a secure state with a minimum of fuss.
3. Ensuring compliance:
Regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 require businesses to maintain data integrity and ensure operational continuity. System state backups play a key part in this process, ensuring IT systems can be restored promptly.
System state backup vs. full backup
A full backup is the most comprehensive form of data backup you can run. When you perform a full backup, you create a copy of your entire system, including user files and applications.
A full backup differs from a system state backup in that a system state backup only captures critical OS components and settings. System state backups don’t protect user data like documents, media files, and emails.
A full backup takes longer to complete than a system state backup simply because it is larger. However, if you need to protect your files as well as your OS, a full backup is the best option to copy everything in one go.
System state backup best practice
There are several things to consider when implementing system state backup. Following these steps will ensure the smoothest, most effective backup experience:
- Identify critical systems: Work out which servers and workstations require system state backups.
- Schedule automated backups: Use a cloud-based platform to set up regular system state backups to make life easier.
- Test recovery processes: By regularly testing your system state restores, you can verify that the backups work correctly and are in line with business continuity plans.
- Integrate with full backups: Combining system state backups with other forms of data backup, such as full backups, will provide comprehensive disaster recovery.
How Redstor can help
Redstor’s cloud-first backup solutions provide rapid recovery, automated protection, and cost-effective scalability. We ensure your businesses can maintain operational resilience no matter what.
Protecting your IT infrastructure is a fundamental step towards preparing your business for the dangers of the cyber landscape. Get in touch to learn how we can support your needs.