> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flosum.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flosum.com/backup-and-archive/general-information/faq-and-guidance/backup-and-archive-implementation-best-practices.md).

# Backup & Archive: Implementation Best Practices

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3f6faa4230b72167926fbc0a31dd17dc7d74581d%2FSummary2-Small-Icon.svg?alt=media) Overview

Proper implementation of Backup & Archive is essential to ensure your Salesforce data is secure, recoverable, and resilient against loss or disaster. This guide outlines key best practices for planning, configuring, and maintaining a robust data protection strategy with Backup & Archive.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Develop a Comprehensive Backup Strategy**

* Define what data needs to be backed up and how often.
* Identify critical data (e.g., customer, financial, transactional) for high-frequency backups.
* Include procedures for testing and validating backup completeness.
* Align backup frequency with business continuity and RTO/RPO objectives.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Understand Data Growth and Impact**

* Monitor which data types are expanding (e.g., objects with frequent inserts/updates).
* Use Salesforce analytics tools (e.g., Einstein Analytics) to identify growth trends.
* Ensure storage infrastructure is scalable to accommodate future growth.

{% hint style="info" %}
Classify data by criticality to determine backup cadence (daily, weekly, etc.).
{% endhint %}

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Use SSDs for Self-Hosted Cloud Environments**

* If you deploy Flosum in a self-hosted environment, choose **SSDs** (Solid State Drives) over **HDDs**.
* SSDs offer significantly faster write speeds and reliability—critical for backup performance.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **System Scheduled Backups**

* All organizations connected to Backup & Archive include two system-defined scheduled backups:
  * **Default Composite Backup**: Runs daily at a specified time. This frequency follows best practices, provides comprehensive protection, and reduces storage use by backing up only changes.
  * **Default Composite & Sync Backup**: Runs monthly at a specified date and time. This frequency follows best practices and syncs deleted records by flagging them in the backed-up data. This keeps your backup data up to date with any Salesforce deletions.
* Review the system-defined backup scheduled times and adjust them to fit your needs.
* See the following articles to learn more about system-defined backups and how to edit them.
  * [System-Defined Default Composite vs Default Composite & Sync Backups](/backup-and-archive/backup-and-archive/backups/default-composite-vs-default-composite-and-sync-back.md)
  * [Editing System-Defined Default Backups](/backup-and-archive/backup-and-archive/backups/editing-system-defined-default-backups.md)

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Set API Quotas for Initial Full Backups**

* After org connection, go to **Organization Settings** and set:
  * **REST API quota**: 80–90%
  * **Bulk API quota**: 80–90%
* This allows the system to allocate maximum API capacity during the first full backup.
* Once the initial backup is complete, you can reduce the quotas since subsequent composite backups use fewer API calls.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Test Backup and Restore Procedures Regularly**

* Simulate recovery scenarios in sandbox or test environments.
* Validate that the restored data is complete and accurate.
* Document and refine your recovery process regularly.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan**

* Define a clear step-by-step plan for restoring backups.
* Include contact information for stakeholders and escalation paths.
* Review and test the plan quarterly or after major releases.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Store Backups Securely**

* Backup & Archive encrypts backups by default.
* Ensure access is limited to authorized users only.
* Use access controls and audit logs to track access events.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Monitor Backup and Recovery Activity**

* Use logs and success/failure reports to validate backup jobs.
* Set up alerts for failed or skipped jobs.
* Regularly review status reports to detect anomalies.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Use Version Control for Historical Tracking**

* Leverage version control within Backup & Archive to retain historical data states.
* Quickly restore previous versions of records when needed for audits or rollback scenarios.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Integrate Backups into Change Management**

* Configure Backup & Archive to trigger backups after key system changes.
* Supports compliance and rollback if a change introduces errors.
* Useful for deployments, CPQ changes, or regulatory data operations.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Handle Refreshed Sandboxes Correctly**

* A refreshed sandbox has a new Org ID and is treated as a **new org**.
* Reconnect the refreshed sandbox using **Add Organization**.
* Remove the obsolete org and its backup data to avoid confusion.

{% hint style="warning" %}
You will not be able to access backups from the previous sandbox after Salesforce deletes it.
{% endhint %}

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Use Multiple Backup Locations**

* Store copies in both cloud and off-site environments.
* Helps protect against regional outages, physical damage, or ransomware.
* Backup redundancy enhances availability and supports compliance mandates.

***

### ![](https://646917531-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Focom3JROuDKOidclKbQx%2Fuploads%2F7mmNsCAYTdPv7oisxuWI%2FEnhance-Icon-Small.svg?alt=media\&token=8cf277ef-21c2-4252-bf4a-b9fd4fca0128) **Restrict Access by Source IP**

* Limit data access by configuring IP whitelisting at the infrastructure level (e.g., EC2 security groups).
* Helps ensure that only trusted IP addresses can retrieve or manage backup data.

***

{% hint style="success" %}
By following these best practices, organizations using Flosum Backup & Archive can dramatically reduce the risk of data loss, maintain compliance, and support high-availability disaster recovery plans. Whether deployed in a Flosum-hosted or self-hosted model, the recommendations in this guide help ensure secure, efficient, and reliable backup operations.
{% endhint %}


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