The purpose of a backup in data management is to create a duplicate copy of important data, ensuring that it can be restored in case of loss, corruption, or disaster. Regular backups protect organizations against unexpected events like hardware failures, cyberattacks, or accidental deletions. A comprehensive backup strategy includes full, incremental, and differential backups to balance protection and storage efficiency. Effective data backup is paramount for maintaining operational continuity and safeguarding critical information, making it an essential aspect of any organization's data governance and recovery plans.