What is the correct term for files copied to a secondary location for preservation purposes?

The term used for files copied to a secondary location for preservation purposes is "Backup." A backup is designed to create copies of data so that it can be restored in the event of data loss due to system failure, accidental deletion, or any other form of data corruption. The primary purpose of a backup is to ensure that important data remains available and recoverable, thereby providing a safety net against potential data loss scenarios.

In contrast, synchronization (sync) refers to the process of ensuring that two or more locations (like folders or devices) have the same data, typically for accessibility rather than preservation. Cloning usually describes creating an exact copy of a disk or partition, often for duplicating entire systems rather than individual files for preservation. Archiving, while related to data preservation, typically refers to the process of moving data that is not actively used to a storage location for long-term retention, rather than creating a backup for recovery. Hence, while all the terms have related meanings in data management, "Backup" specifically highlights the key purpose of preserving data for recovery purposes.