9 Best Practices to Follow while Backing up Your Salesforce Data.
Since being in a business and understanding Salesforce data is your biggest asset, you would have gone through all the significant checkpoints regarding data management and protection. But before concluding that everything is pitch-perfect when it comes to protecting your data asset, have you ever thought of employing a few best practices for rooting your backup process? This will give your backup process an even more comprehensive closure with a foolproof data backup policy.
Data backup and recovery in Salesforce are very important because when attacked by malware, ransomware, or any kind of incident that leads to the loss of your data, with this process, you can boot a saved backup and restore your data to its previous state. Your Salesforce production org will be untouched even after a data loss incident because you can easily recover them.
Even if you are late to this Salesforce backup party, don’t worry. This blog will help you bring your outdated Salesforce backup strategy to the new and latest immutable backup strategy.
Consider Retention Plan
Always have your retention plan in place. A retention plan is nothing but what data the organization keeps, where it keeps the data, and how long it keeps the data. Retention periods determine the duration for which backups should be retained. When the time surpasses the defined retention days, Salesforce data can be labeled as “aged” and either relocated to a different storage location or disposed of appropriately. The retention plans are very crucial when it comes to data governance and storage expenses.
Document Policies and Procedures
Being in a business that is taking backup seriously, you will definitely be aware that you are supposed to come up with some strategies to replicate and protect business applications in order to ensure their retrieval in case of a catastrophe. If your business were to collapse suddenly, these pre-established strategies would be crucial in enabling the implementation of communication policies that facilitate prompt action and the continuation of the chain of command.
Keep Your Backups Encrypted and Protected
Make your backup stronger by just not backing up your Salesforce data but also by encrypting them. This will suffice the added layer of security that your backup needs. The reason to stress encryption is that even in cases of data thefts or data corruption of any sort, encrypted data will be protected against all these odds. This entails including data encryption as part of the backup procedure.
Make your Backup Frequent and Regular
The basic thumb rule of backup is to keep it regular and basic. Your business-critical Salesforce data is fundamental. We can never predict the gravity of the data loss situation until it hits us. And with everyday data, your production org is going to hit the storage limit in no time. Hence instead of having lengthy levels of backup, maybe performing at least twice a week will do.
For businesses dealing with mission-critical data, it is important to regularly back up such data in real-time. This can be achieved by utilizing automated tools that facilitate scheduled backups. Alternatively, for small or medium-sized businesses, manual backup procedures can also be employed.
Perform Regular Tests on Backup
You have documented your plans and policies, you encrypted your Salesforce data, and you have also scheduled to have them backed up at a certain interval of time. But the biggest question that will arise here is if your backup really works. Hence it is very much important to test and check if your backup will work.
Use External Storage
If you ask us, we would recommend cloud-based storage as the best location when it comes to backing up your Salesforce data. Cloud storage is an excellent solution for creating online backups. It allows you to store various types of data, such as files, attachments, metadata, and more. You can utilize cloud storage as either a primary or secondary backup. It provides a convenient space to safeguard your backups. Many providers also offer encryption features to ensure the security of your data stored in the cloud.
Use an Online Backup Service
Online backup services are highly beneficial for protecting your data in scenarios such as computer crashes or theft. These services incorporate security features like file encryption and password protection, enabling you to conveniently schedule regular backups. This encompasses both full backups and incremental backups, alleviating concerns about data loss. Additionally, many online backup services offer the option to store your backup files in a protected environment, ensuring the safety and integrity of your valuable information.
DataArchiva — The Only BaaS You Need For Your Salesforce Data
DataArchiva offers an exceptional backup application for Salesforce that caters to modern backup requirements. This application automatically backs up your Salesforce data and metadata, allowing you to choose between storing it in S3, SharePoint, or your own server. It provides flexibility by leveraging popular third-party cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, Heroku, and GCP, as well as on-premises solutions.
What sets us apart is our focus on meeting your preferences regarding the backup process and your data. We encourage you to bring your own cloud, empowering you to take ownership of your data. As the ultimate controller, you have the privilege to determine who can view and access your information in external environments.
If you wish to join the successful community of backup and restoration provided by DataArchiva, get in touch with our knowledgeable data experts today! Schedule a free demo to receive a comprehensive introduction to DataArchiva’s suite of data management products.
