Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Network Defense Practice Questions and Study Guide

A cold backup in data management refers to an offline backup process. This means that the data being backed up is not actively being used or modified during the backup process. Cold backups typically occur when the system is shut down or when data is not being actively accessed, ensuring that the backup captures a consistent and stable state of the data.

During a cold backup, there is no risk of changes being made to the data while the backup is taking place, which can lead to data integrity issues. This is particularly important for critical systems where consistent data is vital. While cold backups offer a reliable way to back up data, they can result in downtime, as the system needs to be offline for the duration of the backup.

In contrast, the other types of backups mentioned imply varying levels of activity on the system. An online backup process refers to backups taken while the system is still running (a feature of hot backups), and a backup taken during system uptime would also contribute to the possibility of data changes occurring mid-backup, which is not characteristic of a cold backup. A backup with minimal data does not specifically define a cold backup either, as it does not address the state of the system during the backup process.