{"id":22971,"date":"2026-08-30T12:07:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/?post_type=docs&#038;p=22971"},"modified":"2026-08-30T12:41:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:41:52","password":"","slug":"backup-retention","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/hilfe\/backups-sicherheit\/backup-aufbewahrung\/","title":{"rendered":"Backup is not equal to archive: Understanding 30-day retention correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A backup protects you against data loss. However, it is not the same as a permanent archive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CURIAWEB creates automatic daily backups of your hosting data and keeps them for 30 days. After that, older backups are automatically removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means that if a file, an email, or other data has been missing for a while, there may no longer be a backup that still contains this data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Briefly explained:<\/strong> Backups are meant to restore data from a limited period of time. They are not intended to store old data indefinitely.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does a 30-day retention period mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CURIAWEB creates a new backup every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Daily backups are kept for 30 days. After that, the oldest backup is automatically removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Today\nnew backup is being created\n        \u2193\nolder backups remain available\n        \u2193\nafter 30 days\noldest backup is removed<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates a continuous period of backups from the past few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain how the daily backups in CURIAWEB work in detail in the article <a href=\"\/en\/help\/daily-security-backups\/\">Daily backups at CURIAWEB: How the 30-day backup works<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens when I delete a file?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let's assume you accidentally delete a file today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This file may still be present in older backups because it still existed at the time those backups were made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Monday\nFile exists\n        \u2193\nTuesday\nBackup contains the file\n        \u2193\nWednesday\nFile is deleted\n        \u2193\nThursday\nNew backup no longer contains the file<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As long as a backup from before the deletion still exists, the file may be able to be restored from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you wait too long, however, these older backups will also gradually disappear from the 30-day retention period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> What matters is not when you notice the loss. What matters is when the data was last still present.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An example with 30 days<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A simple example illustrates the difference particularly well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On March 1st, you accidentally delete an important file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The file is still present in a backup from February 28th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>February 28\nFile still present\n        \u2193\nMarch 1\nFile is deleted\n        \u2193\nMarch 15\nLoss is noticed\n        \u2193\nBackup from February 28\nmay still be available<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you notice the loss in mid-March, there is therefore a good chance that a suitable fuse is still available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If, on the other hand, you only notice the loss much later, the backup from February 28 may have already been removed from retention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The file may then no longer be restorable via the regular daily backups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do deleted data not automatically remain available for another 30 days?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A misunderstanding often arises here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 30 days do not start over once you delete a file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each backup has its own date and remains available only within the normal retention period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Backup A\nFile exists\n\nBackup B\nFile exists\n\nFile is being deleted\n\nBackup C\nFile no longer exists\n\nBackup D\nFile no longer exists<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over time, backup A and backup B will be removed. After that, only backups that already contain the state after the deletion will remain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> A deleted file remains available via backup only as long as a backup that contained it still exists.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is a backup not an archive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A backup and an archive have different tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A backup primarily serves to restore data after an error, accidental deletion, or another issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An archive, on the other hand, is intended for the long-term storage of data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>Backup\n\u2192 recovery after an issue\n\u2192 limited retention\n\nArchive\n\u2192 long-term retention\n\u2192 data should be preserved over a longer period of time<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, if you need to keep data for months or years, you should not rely solely on daily hosting backups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example: Old emails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This difference becomes particularly clear with emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assuming an important email was deleted two months ago and you only notice it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since regular CURIAWEB backups are kept for 30 days, a backup from two months ago is normally no longer available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A daily backup therefore does not replace long-term email archiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need email data from an existing backup, you can find further information in the article <a href=\"\/en\/help\/backup-security\/restore-emails\/\">Have emails restored from a backup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example: An old website file<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same applies to website files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, you deleted an image or a document six weeks ago and only notice today that you still need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If no backup from the time before the deletion exists anymore, the file can no longer be recovered from the regular daily backups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We explain how to restore individual files in the article <a href=\"\/en\/help\/backup-security\/recover-files\/\">Restore individual files from a backup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about data that is constantly changing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New data is often continuously generated on websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This affects, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>new WooCommerce orders,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Form entries,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>new customer accounts,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comments,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Changes to pages and posts and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A backup always contains only the state at the time of the backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you restore an older backup, newer data created after that point is not yet included in that older backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, before a restoration, it must always be checked which point in time makes sense and which current data could be affected as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can I check which backups are still available?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In JetBackup 5, you can see for yourself which days have backups available for your hosting account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you notice data loss, you can check there to see if a backup from an appropriate time period is still available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find a step-by-step guide in the article <a href=\"\/en\/help\/backup-security\/backups-ansehen\/\">Which backups are available? View backups in JetBackup 5<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should you do in the event of data loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you notice that important data is missing, you should act as early as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Try to find out first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is missing?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When were the data still available?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When was the loss noticed?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there still a backup from this period available in JetBackup 5?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need a recovery, open a support ticket afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.my.curiaweb.ch\/submitticket.php?language=english\"><strong>Create support ticket for a recovery<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you do not know which backup is needed, simply describe to us as precisely as possible what happened and when the data was last present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What additional data should you keep yourself?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is data for which additional personal storage can make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This applies especially to data that you might still need after a longer period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This may include, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>important documents,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>older versions of files,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>business-critical emails,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>exported data from a website or application and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data that must be retained longer for legal or business reasons.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What data you should back up or archive yourself depends on how important it is to you and how long you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> The daily CURIAWEB backups are an additional safeguard for your hosting account. They do not replace long-term archiving of data that you need to keep permanently.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CURIAWEB creates daily automatic backups of your hosting data and stores them for 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means backups from different days are available. However, older backups are automatically removed and are not stored permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a file, email, or other data is deleted, it can only be recovered from a backup as long as a backup from a point in time when that data existed is still available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A backup is therefore not a permanent archiving solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you notice data loss, check as early as possible whether a suitable backup is still available. For important data that you need long-term, you should also ensure appropriate independent storage.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ein Backup sch\u00fctzt dich vor Datenverlust. Es ist aber nicht dasselbe wie ein dauerhaftes Archiv. CURIAWEB erstellt t\u00e4glich automatische Backups deiner Hosting-Daten und bewahrt diese 30 Tage lang auf. Danach werden \u00e4ltere Sicherungen automatisch entfernt. Das bedeutet: Wenn eine Datei, eine E-Mail oder andere Daten schon l\u00e4nger fehlen, kann es sein, dass kein Backup mehr [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[86],"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-22971","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-backups-sicherheit"],"year_month":"2026-09","word_count":1251,"total_views":"9","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Silvio Mazenauer","author_nicename":"admin-curia","author_url":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/author\/admin-curia\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"Backups &amp; Sicherheit","term_url":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/hilfe-kategorie\/backups-sicherheit\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[],"knowledge_base_slug":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22971"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22982,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/22971\/revisions\/22982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=22971"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curiaweb.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=22971"}],"curies":[{"name":"WP","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}