How to reduce backup space overhead in SQL Server?

To reduce backup space overhead in SQL Server, you can employ several strategies:

Use Compression: SQL Server supports backup compression, which significantly reduces the size of backup files. Enable it using the WITH COMPRESSION option in your backup command or configure it at the server level via the backup compression default option.
Example:
```
BACKUP DATABASE YourDatabase TO DISK = 'C:\Backups\YourDatabase.bak' WITH COMPRESSION;  
```
Incremental or Differential Backups: Instead of full backups every time, use differential backups (which capture changes since the last full backup) or transaction log backups for point-in-time recovery. This reduces redundant data storage.
Example:
```
BACKUP DATABASE YourDatabase TO DISK = 'C:\Backups\YourDatabase_Diff.bak' WITH DIFFERENTIAL;  
```
Exclude Unnecessary Data: If certain tables or filegroups are rarely used, consider separating them into different filegroups and exclude them from regular backups.
Example:
```
BACKUP DATABASE YourDatabase FILEGROUP = 'PRIMARY' TO DISK = 'C:\Backups\PrimaryOnly.bak';  
```
Use Backup Encryption (Optional): While encryption doesn’t reduce size, it can help optimize storage by allowing selective backup retention policies for sensitive data.
Leverage Cloud Storage with Efficient Backup Solutions: For scalable and cost-effective backup storage, consider using cloud-based solutions like Tencent Cloud SQL Server Backup Service, which integrates compression, encryption, and automated retention policies to minimize storage overhead while ensuring data security.

By combining these methods, you can efficiently reduce backup space usage while maintaining data integrity and recovery capabilities.