Which statement best describes the cumulative effect of a differential backup?

The cumulative effect of a differential backup is accurately described by the statement that it captures cumulative changes since the most recent full backup. A differential backup records all the changes made to the data since the last full backup was taken. This means that every time a differential backup is created, it includes all the data that has changed since that last full backup, rather than just the changes made since the last backup, as an incremental backup would do.

This approach simplifies data recovery, as only the last full backup and the latest differential backup are needed to restore the data. This contrasts with incremental backups, where multiple backup sets might be needed, complicating recovery processes. As a result, the cumulative nature of differential backups offers a balance between data protection and efficiency, making recovery faster since fewer backup sets need to be managed and restored.