IT and security / Free editable template

Backup and disaster recovery plan template

A backup and disaster recovery diagram shows where your data is copied and how you get systems running again after a failure. This example follows the 3-2-1 rule with a local backup, an immutable cloud copy and an offline copy, adds a disaster recovery site for failover and sets recovery time and data loss targets for each system.

Use this template →See the example ↓

No account needed · Opens as your own editable page

Preview the backup and disaster recovery plan

View full-size preview ↗
Backup and disaster recovery plan example showing 3-2-1 backup copies, disaster recovery site and failover, rto and rpo by system tier
Everything in this example is editable. Replace the labels, move the shapes and adapt the layout to your work.

How to use this template

  1. List systems by importance

    Group systems into tiers and agree how long each can be down (RTO) and how much data you can afford to lose (RPO).

  2. Match protection to the tier

    Give tier 1 systems replication or fast restore, and cheaper nightly or weekly backups to the rest.

  3. Test restores

    Restore a system every quarter and time it against its target. A backup you have not restored is a hope, not a plan.

Questions about this template

Can I set different RTO and RPO targets?

Yes. Edit the targets for each system tier, so critical systems recover first and less important ones can wait longer.

Do I need an account to use it?

No. Open the template and edit it in your browser. Your work saves on this device. An account is optional if you want to sync your workspace.

Can I export the finished diagram?

Yes. Use Export in the editor to save a PNG, SVG or PDF, or download an editable .epicdraw backup.

More IT and security templates →