Domain-4

Testing Concept- Backup Schemes (Full

Backup/Differential Backup/Incremental
Backup)

Hemang Doshi

CISA, ACA, DISA, FIII

Details about this E-Book:

The objective of this e-book is to ensure that CISA candidate get adequate knowledge on
various backup schemes such as Full backup, Differential backup and Incremental backup.
Concepts have been simplified for easy reference of CISA candidates.

Questions, Answers and Explanation (QAE) on concept are designed in accordance with
CISA exam pattern.

CRM covers following types of Backup Schemes:

(1)Backup of full database:

-Full Backup

(2)Backup of only changed database:

-Differential Backup
-Incremental Backup
CISA aspirants should understand various backup schemes as follow:

Full Backup- Every time data backup is taken of full database irrespective of earlier backup.

Differential Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed/modified since last full backup
(last back to be full back-up only).

Incremental Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed/modified since last backup

(last backup can be either full backup or incremental backup).

How to differentiate between Incremental & Differential Backup:

Storage Capacity for each backup Scheme:

Let us understand requirement for time and media capacity for various schemes for data
storage:

-Full Backup- Requires more time and storage capacity as compared to other two schemes.

-Differential- Requires less time and storage capacity as compared to full backup but more
time and storage capacity as compared to Incremental.

-Incremental- Requires less time and storage capacity as compared to other two schemes.

Restoration Capability for each backup Scheme:

Let us understand effectiveness of various schemes in case of data restoration:

-Full Backup- Fastest of all three schemes.

-Differential- Slower than Full backup but faster than incremental.

-Incremental-Slowest of all three schemes.

Advantages & Disadvantages of each Scheme:

Question, Answer & Explanation:

Below QAE are solely on the concept of various backup schemes . Candidates are advised
to attempt below questions multiple times. More emphasis to be given on explanation part
for better understanding.

(1)Backup scheme wherein every time data backup is taken of full database irrespective of
earlier backup availability is known as:

A. Incremental Backup
B. Differential Backup
C. Grandfather-father-son rotation
D. Full Backup

Answer: D. Full Backup

Explanation: CISA aspirants should understand various backup schemes as follow:

Full Backup- Every time data backup is taken of full database irrespective of earlier backup.

Incremental Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed/modified since last backup

(last backup can be
either full backup or incremental backup).

Differential Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed/modified since last full backup
(last back to be full back-up only).

Grandfather-father-son rotation - This is a method of media rotation and not backup

scheme.

(2)Backup scheme wherein backup of data is taken only for data changed/modified either
after full backup or incremental backup is known as:

A. Incremental Backup
B. Differential Backup
C. Grandfather-father-son rotation
D. Full Backup

Answer: A. Incremental Backup

Explanation: CISA aspirants should understand various backup schemes as follow:

Incremental Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed since last backup (last backup
can be
either full backup or incremental backup).

Differential Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed since last full backup (last back
to be full back-up only).

Full Backup- Every time data backup is taken of full database irrespective of earlier backup.

Grandfather-father-son rotation - This is a method of media rotation and not backup

scheme.
(3) Backup scheme wherein backup of data is taken only for data changed after full backup
(incremental backup is ignored) is known as:

A. Incremental Backup
B. Differential Backup
C. Grandfather-father-son rotation Backup
D. Full Backup

Answer: B. Differential Backup

Explanation: CISA aspirants should understand various backup schemes as follow:

Differential Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed since last full backup (last back
to be full back-up only).

Incremental Backup-Backup is taken only of data changed since last backup (last backup
can be
either full backup or incremental backup).

Full Backup- Every time data backup is taken of full database irrespective of earlier backup.

Grandfather-father-son rotation - This is a method of media rotation and not backup

scheme.

(4)Which of the following backup scheme takes requires more time and media capacity for
backup storage?

A. Incremental Backup
B. Differential Backup
C. Grandfather-father-son rotation Backup
D. Full Backup

Answer: D. Full Backup

Explanation: In full backup, every time data backup is taken of full database irrespective of
earlier backup. However, full backup scheme requires more time and media capacity for
backup Storage. Advantage of full backup scheme is easy restoration due to unique
repository.
Let us understand requirement for time and media capacity for various schemes for data
storage:

-Full Backup- Requires more time and storage capacity as compared to other two schemes.

-Differential- Requires less time and storage capacity as compared to full backup but more
time and storage capacity as compared to Incremental.

-Incremental- Requires less time and storage capacity as compared to other two schemes.

(5)Which of the following backup scheme is more effective and faster for data restoration?

A. Incremental Backup
B. Differential Backup
C. Grandfather-father-son rotation Backup
D. Full Backup

Answer: D. Full Backup

Explanation: In full backup, every time data backup is taken of full database irrespective of
earlier backup. Advantage of full backup scheme is easy restoration due to unique
repository. However, full backup scheme requires more time and media capacity for
backup Storage.

Let us understand effectiveness of various schemes in case of data restoration:

-Full Backup- Fastest of all three schemes.

-Differential- Slower than Full backup but faster than incremental.

-Incremental-Slowest of all three schemes.

Mock Test :

To attempt mock test on Backup Schemes (Domain-4), please visit below link:

http://cisaexamstudy.com/backup-schemes-fulldifferentialincremental-mock-test/
Other CISA Exam- Study Material

Domain 1

Steps of Risk Assessment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2j8xhPaFTg

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/622303

Types of Risk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvuvARXcjss

Compliance & Substantive Testing

https://youtu.be/3-u2mpIZzW8

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/625599

Difference between Inherent Risk & Residual Risk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kv6yOpXEI

Difference between Vulnerability & Threat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KxEbth2Ziw

Audit Charter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbCJ3ceDuso

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/633923

COBIT-5

https://youtu.be/WfwjpDdBqr4
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https://youtu.be/RuX2hLnm3vY

Control Self Assessment (CSA)

https://youtu.be/cGcMmt-03as

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/658967

Sampling

https://youtu.be/Ynif7SqvkvM

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/661847

Domain 2

Outsourcing Functions

https://youtu.be/vQsX6ZQSDXk

IT Strategy Committee & IT Steering Committee

https://youtu.be/Za9VMrSe094

IT Alignment with Business Objectives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEsP2LXSF9U

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/633047

IT Balanced Score Card

https://youtu.be/tvNAvAL9ZIg

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/639816

Roles of various functions of IT

https://youtu.be/UMDZrfp1W2Q

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/645822

Domain 3

Online Auditing Techniques

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmGFIJlLu-4

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/637926

Parity-Checksum-CRC

https://youtu.be/Y14jVvOKqaU

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/656262

Check Digit

https://youtu.be/VH2yd3A6bMc

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/656262

PERT-CPM-Gantt Chart-FPA-EVA-Timebox

https://youtu.be/zYZYvcr_-3M

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/666753

Testing in SDLC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43nFUFzTbBU

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/687052

Software Development Methodology

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http://cisaexamstudy.com/agile-system-development-methodology-video-tutorial/

Domain 4

Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO)

https://youtu.be/2rDusGnW9qw

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/646456

Alternate Recovery Site

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Alternative Routing & Diverse Routing

http://cisaexamstudy.com/diverse-routing-alternate-routing-video-tutorial/

Physical Network Media

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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/736761

Components of LAN

http://cisaexamstudy.com/components-lan-repeaterhubswitchbridgerouter-video-
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Digital Signature

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Wireless (Wi-Fi) Security

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Firewall Types

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Firewall Implementation

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Logical Access

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Classification of Information Assets

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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/669437

Asymmetric Encryption

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/674900
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Elements of Public Key Infrastructure

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/679445

https://youtu.be/ZqVciCzS3ng

Biometrics

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IDS & IPS

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OSI Architecture

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Single Sign On

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