Set a practical backup routine, protect access to copies, and test recovery before a busy day makes it urgent.
Decide what must be recoverable
List the records and systems your team needs to keep working: customer data, accounting records, project files, and essential configuration. Note who owns each system and where its backups are stored.
Set backup frequency based on how much recent work the business can afford to lose, not simply on a default schedule.
Protect backup copies
Use strong, unique account credentials and restrict backup access to people who need it. Keep at least one copy separate from the everyday systems it protects.
Confirm that backup jobs complete and alert someone when they fail. A silent failed backup is not a recovery plan.
Practice restoring data
Test recovery periodically using a safe, limited set of files or a non-production environment. Record the steps and the time required so the team knows what to do during an incident.
