Two-tier backup mechanism

System and method for performing two-tier backups in file systems without requiring Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM). A two-tier backup mechanism may perform first-tier backups of dynamic and candidate static data, and second-tier backups of candidate static data. Data is examined by the two-tier backup mechanism and, if the data qualifies as candidate static data, metadata is created for the data. Candidate static data and its metadata are copied to first-tier backups along with dynamic data, and are also copied to second-tier backups a specified number of times, after which the static data is reclassified as "static copied data". Only metadata for static copied data is written to the first-tier backups. Embodiments may be implemented in file systems that do not support HSM and in file systems that support HSM, whether HSM is operational or not.