Disaster Recovery & Backup Strategies for SK0-005 (Beginner to Pro Guide – 2026)

CompTIA-SK0-005 Exam

If you're preparing for the SK0-005 CompTIA Server+, you must clearly understand the difference between RAID, backup, and disaster recovery.

Many candidates confuse RAID with backup — and that mistake can cost exam points.

This guide explains disaster recovery concepts in simple, exam-focused language.

Why Disaster Recovery Is Important in Server+

Server+ tests real-world infrastructure skills.

CompTIA expects you to:

  • Design fault-tolerant systems

  • Recommend proper backup solutions

  • Understand RTO and RPO

  • Plan disaster recovery strategies

  • Differentiate RAID from backup

This topic is highly tested in scenario-based questions.

RAID Is NOT Backup 

RAID provides:

  • Redundancy

  • Fault tolerance

  • High availability

But RAID does NOT protect against:

  • Accidental deletion

  • Ransomware

  • Data corruption

  • Natural disasters

Exam tip:
If question mentions ransomware → RAID is not the answer. Backup is.

Key Disaster Recovery Terms 

1️⃣ RTO – Recovery Time Objective

How quickly systems must be restored after failure.

Low RTO = Faster recovery required.

2️⃣ RPO – Recovery Point Objective

How much data loss is acceptable.

Low RPO = Frequent backups required.

3️⃣ MTTR – Mean Time to Repair

Average time needed to fix a system.

4️⃣ High Availability (HA)

System remains operational with minimal downtime.

Types of Backup Strategies

Understanding backup types is critical for SK0-005.

Full Backup

  • Copies all data

  • Slowest

  • Simplest restore

Incremental Backup

  • Copies only changes since last backup

  • Faster

  • Requires multiple restore points

Differential Backup

  • Copies changes since last full backup

  • Faster restore than incremental

Backup Storage Options

On-Site Backup

  • Fast recovery

  • Risk of physical disaster

Off-Site Backup

  • Protection against disasters

  • Slower restore

Cloud Backup

  • Scalable

  • Off-site redundancy

  • Subscription-based

Exam scenario example:

Company wants protection from building fire → Off-site or cloud backup required.

Disaster Recovery Strategies

Cold Site

  • Empty facility

  • Cheapest

  • Slow recovery

Warm Site

  • Some infrastructure ready

  • Moderate cost

  • Moderate recovery time

Hot Site

  • Fully operational duplicate site

  • Expensive

  • Fastest recovery

Exam tip:
Low RTO requirement → Hot site.

Real SK0-005 Scenario Examples

Scenario 1

Company requires minimal downtime for critical banking system.

Correct Answer:
Hot site + RAID 10 + Frequent backups.

Scenario 2

Small business wants affordable recovery plan.

Correct Answer:
Cold site + Daily incremental backup.

Scenario 3

Organization hit by ransomware attack.

Correct Answer:
Restore from clean backup (RAID alone not sufficient).

Common Beginner Mistakes

 Believing RAID replaces backup
 Ignoring off-site backups
Confusing RTO and RPO
Choosing cold site when low downtime required
 Not testing backup restoration

CompTIA tests your ability to design complete solutions — not partial ones.

How This Helps You Pass SK0-005

Disaster recovery questions often appear in:

  • Scenario-based multiple choice

  • Infrastructure planning questions

  • Troubleshooting situations

  • Performance-based simulations

Mastering this topic gives you confidence in:

  • Infrastructure design

  • High availability decisions

  • Business continuity planning

Conclusion

To succeed in SK0-005:

  • Understand RAID for redundancy

  • Understand backup for data protection

  • Understand disaster recovery for business continuity

  • Learn RTO & RPO differences

  • Think like an infrastructure engineer

Server+ is about real-world reliability — not just theory.


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