In data management and computer security, what does taking a backup of data mean?

Introduction / Context:
Backups are a fundamental part of data protection and IT management. Hardware can fail, files can be accidentally deleted, and malware can corrupt important information. To reduce the risk of permanent data loss, organisations and individuals create backups of their critical files. Understanding the basic meaning of a data backup is essential for computer users and is a common topic in computer awareness exams. This question asks you to identify the most accurate definition of the term backup.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the concept of backing up data.
• Options mention copying data, accessing tape, filtering old data, and adding network components.
• We assume common backup methods such as copying to external drives, network storage, or cloud services.
• The goal of backup is to protect data so that it can be restored after loss or damage.

Concept / Approach:
A backup is a separate copy of data stored in a different location from the original. The key idea is redundancy: if the original data is lost, damaged, or corrupted, the backup copy can be used to restore it. The backup can be full, incremental, or differential, but all involve copying data. Merely accessing data on tape does not create a backup; it simply reads from an existing one. Filtering or deleting old data is housekeeping, not backup. Adding network components expands infrastructure but does not directly protect file contents. Therefore, the correct definition is that backup means protecting data by copying it to another storage destination.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on what backup tries to achieve. The aim is to ensure that data is not lost permanently if the original copy is destroyed. Step 2: Identify the mechanism used. This is done by creating one or more additional copies of the data stored on different media or in different locations. Step 3: Evaluate option A. Option A clearly describes copying data from the original source to another storage destination for protection. Step 4: Check option B. Accessing data on tape refers to using an existing backup medium, not to the act of backing up itself. Step 5: Check option C and D. Filtering old data and adding network components are management tasks but they are unrelated to the creation of backup copies.

Verification / Alternative check:
IT best practice documents and data protection policies consistently define backup as the process of copying files or databases so that they can be restored after a data loss event. Backup strategies recommend storing copies on external drives, network attached storage, or remote cloud servers. Tools and software with names like backup utility or backup service all work by copying data, not by simply filtering or reading it. This confirms that option A captures the standard meaning of backup in computing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (Accessing data on tape): This action uses a backup medium, but reading from tape does not create new backup copies. Option C (Filtering old data from new data files): This is a data cleaning or archival process, not a method of protecting data by duplication. Option D (Adding more components to your network): Network expansion may improve performance or capacity but has nothing to do with making protective copies of files.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse backing up with archiving or deleting old data to save space. While archiving moves less used data to cheaper storage, backup keeps at least one extra copy of active or important data to protect against loss. Another misunderstanding is to treat backup as a one time action, when it is actually a repeated process. For exam purposes, however, the primary concept to remember is that backup means copying data from the original location to a separate destination for safekeeping.

Final Answer:
Backup means protecting data by copying it from the original source to a different storage destination so it can be restored if the original is lost or damaged.