1. A method for backing up data, the method comprising: deriving a data object signature for a data object in a backup; sequentially loading a plurality of cache pages into a cache memory to form a page window, said cache pages comprising a plurality of cache signatures, wherein a page within the plurality of cache pages includes a champion list, said champion list comprising a sampling of cache signatures on the page, wherein the sampling of cache signatures is evenly distributed throughout the page; creating a hash of a page's data when the page is loaded into the cache memory; validating the hash against a page checksum stored in a page header, wherein the page checksum was stored in the page header at the completion of a previous backup process; designating a page in the page window as a processing point of reference; determining whether the data object signature matches one of the plurality of cache signatures at the processing point of reference; and transmitting a data object reference to a backup location when the data object signature matches one of the cache signatures.