Security
Website Backup and Restore Planning
Define what must be recoverable, protect backup copies and test restoration before an incident.
A backup is useful only if it includes the required data and can be restored in time. Define what the business can afford to lose and how long it can remain offline before choosing retention and recovery procedures.
Practical steps
- List files, databases, mail and configuration that must be recoverable. Determine whether application writes need coordination so snapshots are consistent.
- Confirm backup frequency, retention, storage location, encryption and who can request a restore. Keep independent copies where the business risk warrants them.
- Protect backup access and avoid publicly reachable archives. Separate recovery credentials from ordinary website editor accounts.
- Perform a restoration exercise in an isolated environment. Record the steps, elapsed time and any missing dependencies, then update the recovery procedure.
Check the result
Open restored pages and attachments, compare key database records and test a representative application workflow. A successful archive download is not the same as a successful restore.
Before you proceed
Restoring an older database can discard recent transactions and may restore a security flaw. Agree a final-data reconciliation and investigate the original incident before reopening the site.