A school keeps students' work on a computer network. The school uses backup software.
Explain one benefit of using backup software.
Mark scheme
Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:
- Lost/damaged files can be restored (1) because a copy is stored separately from the original (1)
- Data can be recovered after a hardware failure (1) because a duplicate copy is kept on another storage device/location (1)
- Files can be recovered if they are deleted by accident (1) because a copy was made before they were deleted (1)
- A previous version of a file can be recovered (1) because backups are made regularly/at set times (1)
For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.
A benefit stated on its own, such as 'lost files can be restored', earns the first mark only.
Do not accept a description of what backup software does, such as 'it makes a copy of the files' or 'it backs up files', without a benefit it provides.
Do not accept 'keeps data safe' or 'stops files being lost' on its own without saying how the data can be recovered.
Do not accept protection from malware/viruses, e.g. 'it protects the computer from viruses'; that is the purpose of anti-malware software.
Example answers and how they were marked
Lost files can be restored because a copy of them is stored on another device.
Why: Point (1) for lost files being restored and linked reason (1) because a copy is stored separately.
A previous version of a file can be recovered.
Why: A benefit on its own (1); no linked reason saying how the previous version is kept, so the second mark is not earned.
It protects the computer from viruses.
Why: Describes anti-malware software, not backup software; no credit.