Backup, or data backup, is the process of creating copies of data to safeguard against loss or damage. These copies are stored on various media, such as external hard drives, cloud storage, or offsite locations, allowing data to be restored in case of hardware failure, accidental deletion, cyberattacks, or other incidents. Regular data backups are essential for ensuring data integrity and availability, enabling organizations and individuals to restore their systems to a previous state and minimize downtime or data loss.