Practice getting your data back — AWS Backup

Your goal

Build a backup plan and prove that it can restore useful data.

Why this matters

A saved copy only helps if you can recover it. You will choose resources and a schedule, decide how long to keep copies, and practice restoring into a safe place.

Words you will use

A backup is a saved copy. A recovery point is one saved state. Retention is how long that copy is kept. A restore creates usable data from it.

How to proceed

Read each situation and choose an answer. The lesson explains the result. Try again if needed, then continue through all three decisions and finish the tour.

1. Choose what to protect

Your app has supported databases and disks that need regular backups. You want one place to manage that work. Choose the first complete plan.

What should a backup plan specify?

Resources to protect, a schedule, and retention.

AWS Backup can organize supported resources under a plan. Check which resources are actually assigned. A schedule does nothing for data that was never included.

The plan states what is saved, when, and for how long.

Resource selection → schedule → retention rule

2. Choose how much loss is acceptable

The team says it could recreate at most one hour of recent work. Backing up once each week does not meet that need. Choose what to review.

What should guide the backup frequency?

How much recent data loss the team can tolerate.

This limit is often called the recovery point objective. Choose supported backup or continuous-recovery features that meet it, and verify they actually run.

The plan matches the team’s acceptable loss window.

Acceptable loss window → suitable backup/recovery frequency

3. Prove the restore works

A backup job says success. Before a real incident, you want proof that the saved data is useful. Choose a safe drill.

What should the team do?

Restore to a separate test resource and check the data and access.

A restore drill checks the data, permissions, and time needed to recover. Use a separate resource so practice does not overwrite the live app. Record what worked and what needs repair.

The team has tested evidence that it can recover useful data.

Recovery point → separate restore → validate → record recovery time

Practice, then check your understanding

In the interactive tour, make each decision before seeing the outcome. Wrong answers receive coaching, and replay gives you a fresh attempt without duplicating earned XP.

Read the official AWS documentation for service behavior and production details.