TypeWhat it copiesBackup speedRestore speed
Full BackupAll data, every timeSlowestFastestsingle copy needed
Incremental BackupOnly changes since the last backup of any typeFastestSlowestneeds full + every increment
Differential BackupRecommendedAll changes since the last full backupModerateModerateneeds full + latest differential
TierCriticalityTypical RTOTypical RPO
Tier 1Mission-critical (core banking, e-commerce checkout)Under 1 hourNear-zero (continuous replication)
Tier 2Business-critical (ERP, email, CRM)1–4 hours15 minutes – 1 hour
Tier 3Important (internal tools, file shares)4–24 hours4–24 hours
Tier 4Non-critical (archives, dev/test systems)72+ hours24–72 hours