Definition of CDP

The SNIA DMF DPI defines CDP as follows:

Continuous data protection (CDP) is a methodology that continuously captures or tracks data modifications and stores changes independent of the primary data, enabling recovery points from any point in the past. CDP systems may be block-, file- or application-based and can provide fine granularities of restorable objects to infinitely variable recovery points. So, according to this definition, all CDP solutions incorporate these three fundamental attributes:

1. Data changes are continuously captured or tracked
2. All data changes are stored in a separate location from the primary storage
3. Recovery point objectives are arbitrary and need not be defined in advance of the actual recovery

A number of recognized technological approaches deliver CDP, including block-, file- and application-based. Today, many vendors offer varying degrees of support and awareness of specific application and data environments. But regardless of the underlying technological approach utilized, CDP can offer faster data retrieval, enhanced data protection, and increased business continuity with lower overall cost and complexity.

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