What is continuous data protection (CPD)?

This is especially useful if a file gets damaged, deleted, or infected by malware like a virus or ransomware. Since CDP saves each version of a file, you can go back and recover the last clean copy, even if the problem isn't noticed right away.

CDP systems usually use disk storage, which allows for fast recovery compared to traditional backup methods like tape.

It starts by making a full copy of the data on a backup server, typically located in the organization's own data center. After that, it only saves the parts of the data that have changed—this is called "changed block tracking" or a "delta."

Instead of backing up everything again, CDP just captures the new or modified pieces. This method reduces how much data needs to be backed up each time and removes the need for a long backup window. As a result, backups can happen every few minutes instead of just once a day.

There are three main types of data protection, each offering a different level of coverage and efficiency. CDP represents the most advanced of these methods:

1. Full backups

This is when the entire system or a complete copy of all data is backed up at once. It’s the most complete type of backup, but it takes a lot of time and storage space. Full backups are often used as the foundation for other backup types.

2. Incremental backups

In incremental backups, only the data that has changed since the last backup is saved. This method is faster and uses less space than a full backup, but it can take longer to restore everything if needed since multiple versions must be pieced together.

3. Continuous data protection (CDP)

CDP goes beyond incremental backups. Instead of waiting for scheduled times, it tracks every single change in real time. So you can recover data from any point in time, not just the last backup. It's especially useful for protecting against sudden data loss, accidental deletions, or cyberattacks like ransomware.

CDP offers several key benefits that help keep your data safe, recoverable, and easy to manage:

One of the biggest benefits is that it records every change made to your data. This means you can restore files from any point in time, not just from the last backup. If something goes wrong, like a file gets deleted or is hit by a virus, you can “rewind” to the exact moment before the problem happened.

It also keeps a detailed history of all data activity. This is important for audits, compliance with regulations, and investigating security incidents, because it shows exactly what changed and when.

CDP is a key part of a disaster recovery strategy. It can regularly copy your backup data to a different location, so if something happens to your main system, your data is still safe and recoverable elsewhere.

Another great feature is version control. CDP saves multiple versions of each file, so if you make a mistake or need to see an older version, you can easily go back.

In short, CDP gives you peace of mind with real-time protection, quick recovery, and strong support for security, compliance, and productivity.

Here are some of the most common ways organizations use CDP to keep their systems and data safe:

1. Quick recovery after data loss
   CDP is perfect for restoring files after accidental deletions, corruption, or user errors. Since it tracks every change, you can recover data from just moments before the issue occurred.
2. Ransomware and malware recovery
   If a system is hit by ransomware or another type of malware, CDP allows the recovery of clean versions of files without needing to pay a ransom or lose valuable data.
3. Disaster recovery
   In the event of hardware failure, system crashes, or natural disasters, CDP helps organizations quickly recover the latest versions of critical files, minimizing downtime and data loss.
4. Compliance and auditing
   CDP keeps a detailed log of all data changes, which is useful for meeting regulatory requirements and proving compliance during audits or investigations.
5. Version control for frequently changed files
   For teams working on files that change constantly—such as developers, designers, or content creators—CDP allows easy rollback to previous versions as needed.
6. Continuous protection for databases and virtual machines
   CDP is often used to protect high-value systems like databases and virtual machines, ensuring that every update or transaction is captured without delay.
7. Remote office and branch backup
   CDP can automatically back up data from remote locations to a central server, helping companies with multiple offices maintain consistent, up-to-date backups.