Which type of backup minimizes storage space by only saving changes made since the last backup?

An incremental backup minimizes storage space by only saving the changes that have occurred since the last backup. This approach is efficient because it requires less storage capacity compared to a full backup, which copies all data every time it is executed. An incremental backup system starts with an initial full backup, and then every subsequent backup captures only the new or altered files since the last backup, regardless of whether that was a full backup or another incremental backup.

This method not only conserves storage but also enhances backup speed since the amount of data processed during each incremental backup is reduced. When it comes to recovery, however, cumulative restoration is needed, requiring the full backup and all the incremental backups taken until the point of restoration.

Understanding this process is crucial for effective data management and can lead to significant cost savings in storage resources over time.