backup policy
compound.compound. a set of rules that explains how and when to save copies of important computer files. It helps a company or person make sure they don't lose data if a computer breaks.
compound. a formal set of procedures and guidelines governing the frequency, storage, and security of data copies. It ensures that an organisation can recover its digital assets in the event of hardware failure, cyberattacks, or accidental deletion.
Our company backup policy requires us to save files every night.
The IT department updated the backup policy to include cloud storage for all employee laptops to prevent data loss during travel.
A robust backup policy must balance the need for data redundancy with storage costs, typically employing a tiered strategy that archives older records while maintaining immediate access to current project files.
A compound formed from the phrasal verb back up, used in a computing context since the mid-twentieth century, and the noun policy, derived via Middle English and Old French from the Latin politia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often used in business and IT contexts; typically takes 'for' or 'on' when specifying the scope.
Last updated July 22, 2026