A device includes a data collector module, a policy module, and an optimizer module. The data collector module is to collect values for a plurality of device parameters. The policy module is to receive the values for the plurality of device parameters and update a policy table. The optimizer module is to receive the policy table from the policy module, determine, based on the policy table, whether to proceed with buffered input/output or un-buffered input/output for a read call, and instruct a read module of a backup application to proceed with either buffered input/output or un-buffered input/output for the read call.