> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xsoar-8-on-prem/8.9/onboard-cortex-xsoar/back-up-and-restore-cortex-xsoar/back-up-data.md).

# Back up data

Perform one-time backup or schedule recurring backup. The backup process can take several minutes.

The data that is backed up is comprised of objects metadata and volume data. Both are encrypted.

How to back up data

1. Navigate to Settings & Info → **Settings** → **System** → **Backup and Restore** → **Backup** tab.
2. View or configure the following.

   | Fields                       | Details                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
   | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   | **Last successful backup**   | Shows the date and time of the latest backup.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
   | **Enable scheduled backups** | Enabled by default. if disabled, you can configure an on-demand backup.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
   | **Backup now**               | An additional option for on-demand backup. When you click it, you just configure external storage details and the relative path for the one-time backup.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
   | **Choose External Storage**  | Select an external storage. You can view the saved external storage options under Settings & Info → **Settings** → **System** → **External Storage**.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
   | **Relative Path**            | Set the location within the specified external storage system where the backup files will be stored. The full path is also shown.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
   | Backup schedule details      | <p>Options are <strong><code>Daily</code></strong>, <strong><code>Weekly</code></strong>, or <strong><code>Monthly</code></strong>. You can select a day of the week to back up only for weekly backup.</p><p>Choose the backup time (hours and minutes) in Server time. Server time may be different than your local time. You can check via ssh with the viewer <strong><code>user.Retention</code></strong> time.</p><p>These fields do not appear for on-demand backup.</p> |
   | **Save**                     | Initiate the backup.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

#### (AWS storage only) Delete snapshots of backed up nodes you delete

If you back up to an S3 bucket, AWS creates a snapshot of the node (virtual machine). If you subsequently delete the node, you also need to delete the snapshot.

<details>

<summary>Delete a snapshot example</summary>

1. From the side menu, navigate to Services → **Compute** → **EC2**.

   ![aws-launch-vm.png](/files/kySXZQ3vCFkIWkMIlypS)
2. From the side menu, go to Elastic Block Store → **Snapshots**.
3. Locate the snapshot you want to delete, select it, and choose **Delete** from the actions menu.

   Choose the relevant snapshot to delete based on its description. For example:

   **Created by AWS EBS CSI driver for volume vol-00f501eb480113988**
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted to permanently remove the snapshot.

</details>


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