Short definition: A backups audit is the process of reviewing, verifying, and assessing the effectiveness, completeness, and reliability of a website’s backup system to ensure data protection and recovery readiness.
Backups Audit
What this means in practice: Conducting a backups audit involves checking whether backups are being made regularly, stored securely, and can be restored successfully. For WordPress sites, this means verifying that both website files (themes, plugins, uploads) and the database are included in backups, and that the backup schedule aligns with how frequently the site changes.
Why this matters: Backups are critical for recovering from data loss, hacking, or accidental errors. Without regular audits, backups might not function as expected — outdated, incomplete, or corrupted backups can lead to longer downtime or permanent data loss. A backups audit mitigates risk, helps maintain business continuity, and supports compliance with data management policies.
How this typically works in WordPress: WordPress sites require backing up two essential components: the database (which holds content, settings, user info) and the file system (theme files, plugins, media uploads). A backup audit in WordPress involves: confirming automated backup schedules via plugins or hosting services, checking the backup locations (cloud storage or local), testing restore processes to ensure backups can be applied correctly, and verifying backup integrity and completeness. Common tools include backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or manual export via phpMyAdmin and FTP.
Common mistakes or misconceptions:
- Assuming backups are working without verification or testing restores.
- Backing up only files or only the database, rather than both.
- Keeping backups locally on the same server, risking loss if the server fails.
- Ignoring the frequency of backups relative to site updates.
- Overlooking security aspects like encryption or access control for backup storage.
Key takeaways:
- A backups audit is essential to confirm backup reliability and readiness for recovery.
- Both WordPress files and database need to be backed up and audited regularly.
- Testing backup restorations is a critical part of the audit process.
- Secure, offsite storage of backups reduces the risk of data loss.
- Backup schedules should match the frequency of website changes and business needs.