6.3 Data backup and restoration procedures

The backup and recovery of data is the process of backing up data in the event of a loss and setting up secure systems that allow one to recover data as a result. Data backup requires the copying and archiving of computer data to make it accessible in case of data corruption or deletion.

A complete backup process should include the following steps:

1. Create a backup of the current databases and any customizations or files specific to the organization’s needs, such as import templates, custom reports, spreadsheets, etc.
2. Store multiple copies of all backup files on external media, such as a tape drive or CD/DVD.
3. Regularly test your backup:
   1. Make a backupof the database
   2. Restore from a backup copy. If you’re testing a backup for the first time, ensure that you restore the backup in a test environment first (e.g. on a standalone workstation or isolated server). Restoring the backup this way ensures that; if the backup is bad, it would not affect your live database.
   3. Verify users can log into the database and that the correct data is present
   4. Restore the original data