Which method describes an incremental data backup?

An incremental data backup refers to the process of only backing up the files that have been changed or created since the last backup was performed. This method is efficient because it minimizes the amount of storage space required and reduces the time needed for the backup process. By focusing solely on the differences between the current state of the data and the last backup, incremental backups ensure that only the necessary updates are saved, allowing for a quicker backup and restore process while maintaining a complete data set over time.

In contrast, a complete backup of all data, regardless of any changes, would require significantly more time and storage, which is not the focus of an incremental backup. Additionally, compressing data before backing it up is a technique that can be applied to any backup type but does not define incremental backups specifically. Creating full system images involves capturing the entire system state, which is a more comprehensive approach and does not align with the incremental method's purpose of efficiency and minimizing redundancy.