Workspaces & Small Business · Operations
Small-business backup policy template
A backup policy names the files, the schedule, the place the copy lives, and who checks that a restore works. A drive that never leaves the desk is not enough.
What, when, where, and a restore test
Write four lines: which folders matter, how often they copy, where the second copy is stored, and the last date someone opened a restored file. If you cannot answer the fourth line, you have a hope, not a policy.
Who this is for
A solo business or a few people. Not a regulated data center.
Template text you can copy
- Files in scope: accounting, client work, and the inventory list.
- Schedule: nightly for current work, weekly for the full folder.
- Location: one copy on a disk that is not always plugged in, or a cloud service with version history, plus the working copy.
- Owner: one named person. Test a restore every month and write the date in the maintenance log.
Power protection in the UPS guide keeps the machine up for a few minutes. It does not store last year’s invoices.
Limits
This template is not legal advice and does not meet every industry rule. If you hold customer medical or payment data, get a requirement written by someone qualified.
Questions readers ask
Is a cloud sync the same as a backup?
Sync copies mistakes and deletions too. A backup keeps older versions or an offline copy. Use the product’s version history or a separate copy, and test a restore.
Sources and methodology
Claims that depend on an outside authority are tied to the references below. Product details change. Confirm the current specification sheet before you buy or install anything.
- Secure Our World — CISA (government), accessed September 20, 2026. General resilience habits, including protecting accounts that guard your files.
Parent topic: Workspaces & Small Business · Related tool: Home workspace equipment checklist