The 3-2-1 Rule
Keep 3 copies of data, on 2 different media types, with 1 copy off-site.
Backup Types
- Full — complete snapshot, slowest but simplest restore
- Incremental — only changes since last backup, storage-efficient
- Off-site — S3, another datacenter, or cold storage
Test Your Restores
A backup you have never restored is a hope, not a strategy. Schedule quarterly restore drills.