Plan a restoration drill for your automation backups
A backup is useful when its contents, limits and restoration steps have been checked.
Write down the backup scope
List the configuration, scripts and data included in the archive. Record exclusions such as credentials, databases or additional profiles. This prevents a portable configuration export from being mistaken for a complete machine backup. Choose a recovery objective that matches the files actually stored.
- Record the source profile and export method.
- Keep the archive timestamp and a checksum with the backup.
- Document every excluded data store that needs a separate recovery path.
Test in an isolated destination
Restore into a temporary environment with outgoing delivery disabled. Verify that the archive opens, required files exist and configuration can be read. Run a small local task that exercises the restored scripts. Avoid using a restoration drill to send customer messages or to overwrite the working production profile.
- Validate archive integrity before replacing an older verified copy.
- Compare restored configuration with the expected version.
- Check the result of a representative task without publishing it.
Preserve evidence and a previous copy
Record what the drill demonstrated and what it did not test. A checksum proves file equality, while a successful restoration test provides different evidence about usability. Keep the last verified archive until the new one has passed the required checks. Repeat the drill after significant configuration or storage changes.
- Keep the previous verified backup available.
- Record the actual time and steps needed to restore.
- Update the recovery instructions whenever the data scope changes.