Which data backup type requires starting with a full backup before following up with subsequent backups?

The correct answer is that a full system backup requires starting with a full backup before any subsequent backups can occur. A full backup entails making a complete copy of all selected data and system information at a specific point in time. This type of backup serves as a baseline; once the full backup is completed, it can be used for reference when performing other types of backups in the future.

In the context of data management, the full backup is essential because it captures all files and system settings, making it straightforward to restore the system to that specific state if needed. Subsequent backups, whether they are differential or incremental, rely on the integrity of this original full backup to ensure that data restoration processes can be effectively executed.

While other options like incremental, differential, and mirror backups serve important purposes in data protection strategies, they do not begin with a complete backup each time. Incremental backups save only the data that has changed since the last backup (full or incremental), while differential backups save changes made since the last full backup, but require that initial full backup to be established. Mirror backups create an exact copy of the source data, but also depend on the existence of a full backup for effective restoration and management of data.

Thus, understanding that a full system backup