1. A method for backing up electronic data files, comprising: detecting an electronic trigger event for initiating a data backup operation; identifying a first electronic data file for backup based on the detection; determining that either or both of the first electronic data file and one or more data elements of the first electronic data file are designated for exclusion from the backup process, wherein designation for exclusion is based at least in part on identifying, in the first electronic data file or the one or more data elements of the first electronic data file, confidential data; and initiating a backup operation of one or more data files excluding the first electronic data file and any of the one or more data elements of the first electronic data file.