DGB 4: Backups and Data Recovery

← Digital Literacy – Year 4

A backup is useful only if important data can actually be restored when the original is lost, damaged or encrypted. Students therefore move beyond the idea of 'having a copy' and learn to select important data, choose suitable storage locations, perform backups and test recovery.

Curriculum reference

Area	Classification
Competence area	Information
Perspectives	T, I
Focus	Performing backups and data recovery
Competence	Plan and carry out backups, restore data and evaluate whether a backup strategy is actually reliable.

Learning objectives

Students can:

explain why backups are necessary;
distinguish full, incremental and differential backup concepts at a basic level;
compare local, external and cloud-based storage locations;
plan a backup routine for school and personal data;
perform a backup using an approved method;
restore selected files from a backup;
verify backup completeness and readability;
identify typical errors such as keeping the only backup permanently attached;
apply the basic idea of multiple copies and separate locations;
create a realistic recovery plan.

Learning content

Why backups are necessary

Files can be lost through hardware failure, accidental deletion, theft, malware, damaged storage or account problems. Synchronisation alone is not always a backup because deletions and unwanted changes can also synchronise.

Types of backup

A full backup copies all selected data. Incremental and differential approaches reduce repeated copying by saving changes in different ways. Students need the principle rather than enterprise- level detail.

Storage locations and media

Backups can be stored on external drives, network storage or suitable cloud services. A useful strategy avoids keeping every copy in the same place or under the same account risk.

Planning and carrying out backups

Decide which data matters, how often it changes, where the copies will be stored and who is responsible for checking them. A backup schedule should match the value and change rate of the data.

Restoring data

Recovery means retrieving data from a backup and checking that the restored files are intact and usable. A recovery test is the only practical proof that the backup can serve its purpose.

Quality checks and common mistakes

Common failures include backing up the wrong folders, ignoring error messages, storing copies on the same device, using an inaccessible account or never testing restoration.

A practical backup strategy

For important data, keep more than one copy and separate at least one copy from the working device. The well-known 3-2-1 principle can serve as an orientation: three copies, on two types of storage, with one copy separated from the primary location.

Classroom activities

Analyse data-loss scenarios

For several incidents, identify what would be lost and which backup would help.

Expected outcome: A risk-and-recovery table.

Create a backup plan

Select important folders, frequency, storage media and responsibility.

Expected outcome: A personal or school backup plan.

Perform a backup

Copy a prepared data set using an approved backup method.

Expected outcome: A completed backup.

Practise recovery

Delete or move a test file and restore it from the backup.

Expected outcome: A verified restored file.

Compare backup types

Compare full, incremental and differential concepts using a simple timeline.

Expected outcome: A comparison diagram.

Find backup mistakes

Review fictional backup setups and identify false security or missing copies.

Expected outcome: A quality checklist.

Run an emergency exercise

Follow a prepared data-loss scenario from detection to restoration.

Expected outcome: A recovery log.

Develop a routine

Create a realistic recurring backup routine for schoolwork.

Expected outcome: A practical routine.

Backup check

Explain how you know that a backup is recent, complete and restorable.

Expected outcome: A short audit.

Self-check

I can explain the difference between synchronisation and a real backup.
I can choose suitable data and storage locations.
I can perform a backup.
I can restore and verify files.
I can identify common backup mistakes.
I have a realistic recovery strategy.