02 · Everyday maintenance
A backup you
can restore.
The useful question is not whether a copy exists. It is whether you can recover the right data when the original is unavailable.
Decide what needs recovering
Separate documents, application data and configuration. Some applications need a consistent export rather than a copy of files taken while they are being changed.
Write a short recovery checklist
Record where the backup lives, which tools can read it and the order in which the pieces should be restored. Keep access information securely and separately from public documentation.
Try a small restore
Restore a sample into a separate directory or disposable environment. Open the files, check that the application can read them and note how long the process takes.
Keep more than one recovery point
A recent copy may already contain an accidental deletion. Retaining older versions gives you a way to recover from problems discovered later.