Even the best-designed databases are vulnerable to failure. Hardware faults, software bugs, human error, and cyberattacks can all result in data loss. In IB Computer Science, this risk is addressed through backups and recovery. Students are expected to understand why backups are needed, how recovery works, and the trade-offs involved.
IB examiners reward explanations that clearly link backups to data protection and reliability.
Why Database Backups Are Essential
Databases store critical information such as:
- Student records
- Financial data
- User accounts
- Transaction histories
Without backups:
- Data loss may be permanent
- Systems may be unable to recover
- Organisations may suffer serious consequences
Backups provide a safety net, allowing systems to be restored after failure.
What Is a Database Backup?
A database backup is a copy of database data stored separately from the original system.
The backup can be used to:
- Restore lost or corrupted data
- Recover from system crashes
- Undo serious errors
In IB Computer Science, backups are described as preventative measures, not active security tools.
Types of Database Backups
IB students should understand the concept of different backup strategies, including:
Full Backups
- A complete copy of the entire database
- Simple to restore
- Require more storage space
Incremental Backups
- Store only data changed since the last backup
- Use less storage
- Faster to perform
- More complex to restore
The choice depends on:
- Database size
- Frequency of updates
- Recovery requirements
What Is Database Recovery?
Recovery is the process of:
- Restoring a database to a previous valid state
- Using backup data
Recovery is needed after:
- Hardware failure
- Software crashes
- Data corruption
- Accidental deletion
The goal is to return the database to a consistent and usable state.
Backups and ACID Durability
Backups are closely linked to the Durability property of ACID.
Durability ensures that:
- Committed data survives failures
Backups support durability by:
- Preserving data beyond system crashes
- Allowing restoration even after severe failures
IB students should connect backups directly to long-term data reliability.
Backup Frequency and Trade-Offs
Backing up too infrequently:
- Increases data loss risk
Backing up too frequently:
- Uses more storage
- Consumes system resources
Organisations balance:
- Cost
- Performance
- Risk
IB examiners often reward answers that mention trade-offs.
Where Backups Are Stored
Good backup strategies store data:
- Off-site
- On separate systems
- In secure locations
This protects against:
- Fire
- Theft
- Hardware failure
Storing backups on the same system defeats their purpose.
Common Student Mistakes
Students often:
- Confuse backups with security
- Ignore recovery
- Forget durability
- Describe backups too vaguely
Clear cause-and-effect explanations score higher.
How This Appears in IB Exams
IB questions may ask students to:
- Explain why backups are needed
- Describe backup and recovery processes
- Link backups to durability
- Apply backup strategies to scenarios
Explanation matters more than technical detail.
Final Thoughts
Backups and recovery protect databases from data loss by ensuring that information can be restored after failure. By copying data and storing it securely, systems remain reliable even when unexpected problems occur.
Understanding how backups and recovery work allows IB Computer Science students to explain real-world data protection strategies clearly and confidently — exactly what examiners expect.
