Snapshot replication is the copying of a point-in-time storage snapshot to another system, site, or cloud location. A snapshot captures the state of files, volumes, or databases at a specific moment, and replication moves that copy so it can be used later for restore or disaster recovery. Unlike a full live copy, it is often efficient because only changed blocks need to be transferred after the initial sync.
In cyber security, snapshot replication matters because it supports fast recovery after ransomware, accidental deletion, corruption, or hardware failure. Defenders use it to roll systems back to a known-good state and to keep backup copies separate from production. However, it is not a complete defense on its own: if attackers gain storage or cloud admin access, they may delete snapshots, encrypt replicated data, or force replication of damaged data. Strong identity controls, immutable retention, network segmentation, and restore testing are essential.