A database backup is a saved copy of database contents, often including tables, user accounts, logs, and sometimes historical records. Organizations create backups to restore service after deletion, corruption, ransomware, or hardware failure. Because backups can preserve large amounts of internal data in one file or archive, they may expose far more than a live application screen would show.
In cyber attacks, thieves often target backups because a stolen backup can reveal sensitive records, schema details, passwords or hashes, and business context that helps with extortion or follow-on intrusion. Attackers may also delete backups to block recovery. Defenders reduce this risk by encrypting backup media, restricting access, separating backup systems from production networks, keeping offline or immutable copies, and testing restores regularly. Good backup hygiene protects both availability and confidentiality.