> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dsalta.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AWS Lightsail disk backup should be enabled

> Checks that AWS Lightsail disk backups are enabled.

Checks that AWS Lightsail disk backups are enabled.

## About

When you connect Amazon Web Services (AWS) to DSALTA, the platform retrieves the list of resources in your environment using read-only API access. DSALTA then checks whether this configuration is in place. If it is not, DSALTA activates this check so you can remediate it.

## Why This Matters

Without reliable backups, a hardware failure, accidental deletion, or ransomware event can permanently destroy your data. Automated backups with sensible retention give you a recovery path and are required by SOC 2, ISO 27001, and most frameworks.

## How to Fix

**Before you begin**

* Ensure you have **Admin** access to the AWS account.

**Enable backups using AWS Backup**

1. Sign in to the [AWS Console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/) and navigate to **AWS Backup → Backup plans**.
2. Click **Create backup plan** and choose a template or build a custom plan.
3. Add a backup rule with a daily frequency and a retention period of at least **30 days**.
4. Under **Resource assignments**, select this service's resource type and the resources to protect.
5. Click **Create plan**.

Once backups are enabled, DSALTA retrieves the change on the next sync and sets the check status to **Passing**.

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How often does this check run?">
    This check runs automatically every 24 hours while the Amazon Web Services (AWS) integration is connected. You can also trigger a manual sync from **Integrations** in the sidebar.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if it keeps failing?">
    A failing check appears in your **Data Library → Tests** dashboard. Work through the steps above; once the underlying configuration is fixed, the status updates automatically on the next sync.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I exclude this check?">
    Yes. If it does not apply to your environment, mark it as **Not Applicable** with a justification. The exclusion is documented for auditors.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does DSALTA change my Amazon Web Services (AWS) configuration?">
    No. DSALTA uses **read-only API access** and never modifies, creates, or deletes resources. All remediation is performed by your team directly in Amazon Web Services (AWS).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>