Maximum acceptable amount of data loss measured in time—how much work can you afford to lose?
Recovery Point Objective (RPO) defines the maximum acceptable data loss in a disaster scenario, measured in time. An RPO of 4 hours means you could lose up to 4 hours of data. RPO determines backup frequency—achieving a 1-hour RPO requires backups at least hourly. Different systems may have different RPOs based on data criticality. Critical transaction systems might need minutes; archive data might tolerate days.
Why It Matters
The DSC Perspective:
RPO determines backup frequency and cost. Understanding acceptable data loss for each system helps design appropriate protection without over-investing in non-critical data backup.