Backup copies of electronic files and/or folders should be created

• A. as a precaution against damage or loss of the original data
• B. on a regular basis
• C. only before loading a new software program
• D. both a and b

Answer: (D)

Backing up data protects you from events that can damage or erase the original files, such as hardware failure, accidental deletion, or malware. Creating a copy as a precaution addresses that risk. Doing backups on a regular basis adds a safety net so you have recent versions to restore from after ongoing changes, not just a one-time snapshot. If you back up only before loading new software, you remain exposed to data created or changed since that backup, as well as any other incidents in between backups. So the best practice is to back up both as a precaution and on a regular schedule, giving you current protection and a recovery point for ongoing work.