Backup and Data Protection Policy

At County Cookshops, we are committed to safeguarding customer data, business records, and operational systems. This Backup and Data Protection Policy outlines how we protect, back up, and recover data to ensure the security, integrity, and availability of information on countycookshops.com.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

Protect customer and business data from loss, corruption, or unauthorized access
Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
Maintain business continuity in the event of system failures, cyber incidents, or disasters

2. Data Backup Procedures

All critical data, including customer, order, and transaction records, is backed up regularly.
Backup frequency:
- Daily backups for transactional and order data
- Weekly full backups of all website and system data
Backups are stored securely, with redundant copies in separate locations to prevent data loss.
Backup retention periods follow our Data Retention Policy to ensure compliance and proper storage duration.

3. Data Protection Measures

We implement the following measures to protect data:

Encryption: Sensitive data, including personal information and payment details, is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
Access Control: Only authorized personnel have access to data based on job responsibilities.
Regular Security Updates: Systems, servers, and software are updated to mitigate vulnerabilities.
Antivirus and Anti-Malware: All systems are protected against malware and cyber threats.
Monitoring: Regular monitoring of network activity to detect unauthorized access or anomalies.

4. Cloud and Third-Party Services

Cloud storage and third-party service providers used for backups are required to follow industry-standard security practices.
Agreements with third-party providers include clauses for data protection, GDPR compliance, and secure data deletion.

5. Data Recovery

In the event of data loss, corruption, or system failure:
- Backups are used to restore the affected systems or data promptly
- Restoration procedures are tested periodically to ensure reliability
County Cookshops aims to minimize downtime and data loss during any recovery process

6. Customer Data Security

Customers are encouraged to:
- Use strong, unique passwords for accounts
- Keep login credentials confidential
- Notify County Cookshops immediately of suspected unauthorized access
County Cookshops will investigate and respond to security incidents in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

7. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed regularly to reflect:
- Changes in technology or security best practices
- Updates to UK laws and regulations
- Feedback or lessons learned from incidents
Updates will be posted on this page and communicated to staff and relevant stakeholders.