Chapter 12 — Backups and recovery
Lesson map
Lesson 12 published. Map, example, EX045.
flowchart TD
N0["Learning outcomes"]
N1["12.1 Why backups matter"]
N2["12.2 Testing backups"]
N3["12.3 Gaps"]
N4["12.4 When data are lost"]
N0 --> N1 --> N2 --> N3 --> N4
N4 --> EX["Worked example"]
EX --> Q["Exercise EX045"]
Logical drawing
flowchart LR
N0["Learning outcomes"]
N1["12.1 Why backups matter"]
N2["12.2 Testing backups"]
N3["12.3 Gaps"]
N4["12.4 When data are lost"]
N0 --> N1 --> N2 --> N3 --> N4 --> Q["EX045"]
[Learning outcomes]
|
v
[12.1 Why backups matter]
|
v
[12.2 Testing backups]
|
v
[12.3 Gaps]
|
v
[12.4 When data are lost]
|
v
[Worked example] --> [Exercise EX045]
Learning outcomes
You will (1) explain why backups matter; (2) check that backups work; (3) know what to do when data are lost.
12.1 Why backups matter
Backups are copies of data kept so they can be restored after a mistake, a device failure or an attack such as ransomware, which locks files and demands payment. Chloe learns that a good backup is kept separately from the original, so one problem cannot destroy both. Westfield's online shop and loyalty data are backed up by the cloud provider. Office files are backed up nightly to a cloud service. Mr. Doyle confirms the backups run every night and keep copies for thirty days.
12.2 Testing backups
A backup is only useful if it can be restored. Chloe asks Mr. Doyle when a restore was last tested. He is not sure. Together they restore a sample folder from the cloud backup to a test laptop and compare the files with the originals. All files open correctly. Chloe records the test with the date, the folder and the result, and suggests repeating it every three months. Mr. Doyle adds the quarterly test to his calendar. Chloe notes that this was the first time anyone had checked the backup actually worked.
12.3 Gaps
Chloe checks what is not backed up. The office manager keeps some spreadsheets on her laptop desktop, outside the backed-up folders. Tablets hold stock-check photos that are not backed up but are not needed after stock is updated. Chloe helps the office manager move her spreadsheets into the backed-up folder. She learns that people often save files in convenient places outside backups. The office manager agrees to save new files in the backed-up folder from now on. Chloe checks the other office laptops and finds no other files outside backups.
12.4 When data are lost
Chloe writes simple steps for staff who lose a file or suspect ransomware: stop using the device, do not try to fix it yourself, call Mr. Doyle and note what happened. She learns that quick reporting and not making changes helps recovery. Mr. Appiah explains that well-meaning attempts to fix things can sometimes spread a problem or destroy evidence of what happened. She prints the steps on a card for each office and till. Mr. Doyle adds his phone number and the support company's number, so staff can reach someone even when he is away.
Worked example
Chloe learns why separate backups matter, tests a restore with Mr. Doyle, moves spreadsheets into backed-up folders and writes steps for lost data or ransomware.
Synthetic case. Backups are synthetic.
Errors and limits
Files saved outside backed-up folders are lost if the device fails.
Exercises
- EX045 — Ransomware meaning. What does ransomware do? Rubric: 3 = locks files and demands payment;; 2 = partly correct;; 1 = vague;; 0 = none.
- EX046 — Test frequency. How often should restores be tested? Rubric: 3 = every three months;; 2 = partly correct;; 1 = wrong;; 0 = none.
- EX047 — Backup gap. Which files were outside backups? Rubric: 3 = spreadsheets on the office manager's desktop;; 2 = partly correct;; 1 = vague;; 0 = none.
- EX048 — First step. What is the first step if ransomware is suspected? Rubric: 3 = stop using the device;; 2 = partly correct;; 1 = vague;; 0 = none.
Continue studying — lesson 12 (chapter 12 of 18)
← Chapter 11 · Course chapter index · Chapter 13 →
Continue to the next authored lesson.