Set up automated, tested backups with a documented recovery process

Automated, tested backups mean your data is genuinely being backed up on a real schedule, and critically, you have actually performed a full test restore to confirm the backups work, not just assumed they do because the backup job reports success.

A backup that has never been restored is a hope, not a plan, backup jobs can report success while producing files that are corrupted or incomplete, only a real test restore confirms genuine recoverability.

How to do it

1. 1
   Set up automated backups on a real schedule

   Frequency appropriate to how often your data changes and how much loss would be acceptable.
2. 2
   Store backups somewhere genuinely separate

   Not solely on the same server or provider as your live site.
3. 3
   Actually perform a full test restore

   Not a partial check, a genuine full restore to confirm the backup actually works end to end.
4. 4
   Document the exact recovery process

   So it does not depend on you personally remembering the steps during an actual crisis.