SQL Server backups are saved copies of Microsoft SQL Server databases created for recovery after corruption, deletion, or ransomware. They can include tables, transactions, user records, configuration details, and sometimes embedded secrets. Because they may reflect the database at the time of backup, they often contain live or highly sensitive business data.
In cyber security, backups matter because attackers value them as a second path to the same data they encrypted or stole. If backup files are exposed through weak permissions, poor retention, unencrypted storage, or compromised backup servers, criminals can exfiltrate large amounts of information and use it for extortion, fraud, or further intrusion. Defenders reduce this risk by encrypting backups, isolating backup infrastructure, limiting access, keeping short retention where possible, and regularly testing restores so recovery does not depend on unsafe copies.