In today’s digital landscape, data serves as the foundation for operations across all industries. Whether in a multinational corporation or a small business, the need for consistent, reliable data backups is non-negotiable. Every organization depends on systems to store configurations, maintain logs, and enforce policies. Without a backup strategy, data loss due to system failure, cyberattacks, human error, or natural disasters can be devastating. Restoring systems without recent backups often means starting over—rebuilding configurations, policies, and logs manually.
The safest approach involves maintaining backups in multiple locations. Local backups are beneficial, but they can still be compromised by events like hardware failure, ransomware, or even environmental damage. Remote backups, on the other hand, introduce geographical separation, which ensures that data is recoverable even if the primary infrastructure is completely lost. For network administrators, this level of assurance offers peace of mind, knowing that there is a fallback option should anything go wrong.
Remote Backup Capabilities in Firepower Management Center
Cisco’s Firepower Management Center, or FMC, is a centralized platform for managing network security policies, firewall configurations, and event monitoring across Cisco security appliances. Given the central role FMC plays in enforcing security and monitoring traffic, backing up its data becomes a critical task in any network operations plan.
FMC supports remote backup functionality, allowing administrators to store backup files on a separate system using protocols such as SSH, SMB, or SSHFS. These network file-sharing protocols enable FMC to push backup files to a remote file system. Cisco’s best practice recommends using these secure protocols rather than relying solely on local disk storage. Not only does this prevent data loss during on-premises failures, but it also makes disaster recovery significantly more straightforward.
Even though the backups are stored remotely, they can still be managed from within the FMC interface. The configuration allows for complete control over how backups are stored, retrieved, and scheduled. However, it’s important to remember that this guide applies specifically to a standalone FMC instance. If you are managing a high-availability (HA) pair, the process will vary and requires a different approach not covered in this section.
Preparing for Remote Backup Configuration
Before starting the configuration process on FMC, certain prerequisites need to be in place. Most importantly, you need access to a remote storage system that supports one of the recommended network protocols. This could be a network-attached storage device, a file server in your data center, or a secure server in a remote site. Make sure the following conditions are met:
- The remote storage system is online and reachable from the FMC.
- The correct port is open on the firewalls between FMC and the storage system.
- Credentials are available for a user account with read and write access to the backup directory.
- If using SSH key authentication, ensure that the appropriate public key can be added to the storage system’s authorized keys.
Once you have verified these prerequisites, you can begin the configuration process in the FMC interface.
Accessing the Remote Storage Configuration Menu
To start configuring the remote backup, log in to your FMC instance with an account that has administrative privileges. From the main dashboard, look toward the upper right-hand corner and click on the option labeled “System Settings.” This section allows you to manage a wide range of platform configurations, including device settings, time synchronization, and, of course, backup parameters.
Once inside the System Settings menu, locate and click on the “Configuration” option. This will redirect you to a new section where all configurable system options are grouped. On the left-hand side of the screen, there will be a navigation pane. In that menu, locate and select “Remote Storage Device.” This selection opens the interface where remote backup settings can be defined.
You will see a panel on the right-hand side showing several fields and a dropdown menu labeled “Storage type.” This is where you select the protocol for the remote backup. Available options usually include SSH, SMB, and SSHFS. For this example, SSH is chosen due to its widespread support and secure nature.
Entering Storage Connection Details
Once you have selected the desired storage type, the next step is to populate the form with the appropriate information. Each field plays an important role in ensuring the backup process completes successfully.
The first field is labeled “Host.” Here, you will enter either the IP address or the fully qualified domain name of the remote storage server. This is the destination to which FMC will send the backup files. Make sure this address is reachable from the FMC host.
Next is the “Directory” field. This should contain the full path where the backup files will be stored on the remote server. It is important to note that the directory must already exist on the storage system. FMC will not create it automatically, so it must be manually created in advance.
Following that, the “Username” and “Password” fields are required for authentication. These credentials should belong to a user account that has sufficient access to write files to the specified directory. The password should be strong and managed securely.
Below these fields, there is an automatically generated “SSH Public Key” field. This is useful if you want to configure SSH key-based authentication instead of password-based login. To use this feature, you would need to copy the public key displayed in the field and paste it into the authorized keys file of the user account on the remote server. Key-based authentication is generally more secure than passwords and is recommended for long-term configurations.
Verifying Connectivity and Saving the Configuration
After entering the host, directory path, credentials, and any key-based authentication data, you need to verify that FMC can successfully communicate with the remote storage. This is done by clicking the “Test” button found within the configuration panel. When clicked, FMC will attempt to connect to the remote server and validate the provided credentials and directory path.
If everything is configured correctly, a green confirmation message will appear indicating that connectivity is successful. If the test fails, troubleshooting will be required. Typical issues might include incorrect directory paths, misspelled hostnames, wrong usernames or passwords, or network connectivity problems.
Once the test completes successfully, click on the “Save” button to finalize the remote storage configuration. This action stores the settings and enables FMC to begin using the remote storage location for backups. At this point, FMC knows where to send the backup files and how to authenticate against the storage server.
This completes the first phase of the remote backup configuration process. You have now established a reliable connection between FMC and a secure remote storage system using SSH.
Creating a Backup Profile and Managing Backup Instances in FMC
With remote storage configuration completed and connectivity verified, the next phase in establishing a reliable backup routine in the Firepower Management Center involves creating a backup profile. Backup profiles serve as containers or blueprints that define what type of data should be included in the backup, how it should be categorized, and how it will be scheduled or managed.
Each backup profile contains the configuration that FMC uses when performing a backup operation. By creating separate profiles, administrators can design different backup strategies depending on organizational needs. For instance, one profile might include only system configurations for daily backups, while another may be set up to back up both configurations and event logs weekly. Having multiple profiles allows better control, segmentation, and traceability of backup operations.
To begin this step, log into FMC and navigate to the section where backup profiles are created and managed.
Navigating to Backup and Restore Settings
Once in the FMC dashboard, locate the “System Settings” option at the top of the page. This will expand a list of submenus. From that list, select the “Backup and Restore” option. This section is dedicated to handling all backup and restoration-related settings and tasks.
Inside the Backup and Restore area, you will find system information about existing backups, logs of completed backup operations, and access to tools for restoration and scheduling. This centralized interface gives administrators a comprehensive view of backup health, failures, or pending tasks. It is from here that new backup profiles are created and existing ones are managed.
On the left-hand side of the interface, there is a section labeled “Backup Profiles.” Clicking on this option takes you to a new page that lists all configured profiles. If this is your first time setting up a backup profile, the list will likely be empty or show only default entries.
Creating a New Backup Profile
To begin creating a new profile, look for and click on the button labeled “Create Profile.” This will open a new configuration form that prompts you to define the parameters of your backup operation.
Start by giving your new backup profile a meaningful name. This name will appear in backup logs, scheduling tools, and anywhere FMC references this particular backup routine. For clarity and ease of management, use a name that reflects the contents or purpose of the profile. While this example may use a simple name such as “test,” a better approach in a live environment would be something more descriptive, like “Weekly_Threat_Data_Backup” or “Daily_Config_Only.”
After naming the profile, the next step is to choose what data should be included in the backup. FMC provides several options that can be selected individually or in combination:
- Configuration Data: This includes system settings, policies, rules, and device configuration data necessary to restore the FMC environment.
- Events: This category includes security events, traffic logs, and other dynamic monitoring information.
- Threat Intelligence Data: This includes any threat-related data that FMC downloads or generates, such as intrusion detection feeds or reputation data.
You can select one, two, or all three options, depending on your backup goals. Selecting all three ensures a complete backup but will also result in larger file sizes and longer backup times. Consider the backup window, storage space, and recovery objectives when making this choice.
There is also an option labeled “Copy when complete.” Enabling this allows FMC to copy the completed backup to an additional location, separate from the one previously configured. This is useful if you maintain tiered storage systems or want to ensure additional redundancy.
Once you have made your selections, click the “Save” button to finalize and store the profile. The new profile will now appear in your list of available backup configurations and is ready to be used for manual or scheduled backup operations.
Running a Backup Manually
After saving your new backup profile, you have the option to initiate a manual backup using the newly created configuration. This is particularly useful after setting up a new remote storage device or changing backup content selections. A manual backup serves as a good test to verify that all systems are functioning as intended.
To start a manual backup, select the profile from your list and look for a button labeled “Start Backup.” Clicking this begins the backup process immediately using the parameters defined in that profile.
As the backup process runs, FMC will generate status messages to show progress. These include steps like preparing backup data, connecting to remote storage, compressing files, transferring data, and finalizing the process. If any of these stages fail, a corresponding error message will appear to assist with troubleshooting.
Once the backup is complete, verify that the file was successfully written to the intended directory on your remote storage server. Checking file timestamps, file sizes, and log messages within FMC will confirm that the operation executed correctly.
Manual backups are not just useful during initial setup. They also allow administrators to generate backups before major system changes, such as firmware updates, policy restructuring, or device upgrades. Running a backup before making such changes ensures that a fallback point is available if something goes wrong.
Managing Backup Files and System Behavior
After backups are created—either manually or on a schedule—they are stored both locally on FMC and remotely, based on your configuration. FMC manages a list of recent backup files, which you can view from the “Backup and Restore” section. This list shows file names, creation times, size, content type, and destination.
Over time, this list will grow, so it is important to manage storage limits both on FMC and the remote backup server. Old backups can be deleted through the interface to free up space. It is recommended to retain several recent backups and remove outdated ones regularly, based on your organization’s data retention policy.
FMC does not automatically overwrite older backups unless configured to do so. This behavior is helpful for auditing and historical restoration, but must be monitored closely to avoid exhausting disk space. Using tools such as scripts or external file rotation utilities on your storage system can help automate cleanup tasks.
Additionally, you should monitor the system for failed backup attempts. Failed backups might occur due to expired passwords, unreachable storage, or misconfigured profiles. Regularly reviewing system logs will help ensure that backup operations continue to function smoothly.
By the end of this stage, you should have one or more backup profiles configured in FMC, with clearly defined purposes and content selections. You should also be able to initiate backups manually, verify their success, and manage backup files through the FMC interface.
The backup profile acts as the core template for all backup activities in FMC. Whether used for manual execution or scheduled operations, each profile brings structure and clarity to the backup process. The profile defines what is backed up, where it goes, and how it can be restored later. By setting up proper profiles, you ensure that important data can be recovered quickly and accurately when needed.
Automating Backups with FMC Scheduling Tools
Once a remote storage location and backup profile have been successfully configured and tested in Firepower Management Center, the next step toward a complete backup strategy is automation. Manually initiating backups works well in isolated scenarios, but regular, automated backups ensure data is consistently protected without requiring human intervention. Scheduling backups is one of the most efficient ways to maintain a resilient configuration and avoid data loss from unexpected outages or user errors.
FMC provides a built-in scheduling tool that allows administrators to define when backup jobs should occur. With the scheduling feature, you can assign specific times and dates for each backup profile to run. This functionality helps organizations meet internal policies and regulatory requirements that may mandate consistent data backup frequencies.
In this series, we will explore the scheduling interface within FMC, walk through the steps to create a backup schedule, and address common issues that may affect backup success, including system time zone settings and proper job association.
Accessing the Backup Scheduling Interface
To begin setting up scheduled backups, log in to your FMC instance and navigate to the dashboard. As with the previous steps, locate the “System Settings” option found in the upper-right area of the dashboard. From the expanded menu, locate and click on “Backup and Restore.” This section includes not only backup and restore history but also the tools for scheduling tasks.
Once inside the “Backup and Restore” area, look for the submenu on the left side labeled “Scheduling.” Clicking this option will open the calendar interface used to define and manage backup schedules. This scheduling section is where you can view, edit, delete, or create backup tasks tied to specific profiles.
The calendar format helps visualize the upcoming scheduled tasks. You can see what backups are planned on which days, as well as any missed or failed backups if they were scheduled previously. This centralized visual representation of backup tasks provides clarity and operational transparency.
Creating a New Scheduled Backup Task
To add a new backup task, click on the button labeled “Add Task,” typically located in the upper-right corner of the scheduling screen. This will open a configuration window where the parameters for the scheduled backup can be set.
The first field you will encounter is the “Job Name.” This is the label that identifies the scheduled task. It is recommended that the name matches the backup profile it will be associated with, or at least describes its frequency or purpose. For example, names like “Weekly_Config_Backup” or “Daily_Full_Backup” help provide better organization and clarity when reviewing the calendar later.
The next field is the “Backup Profile” selection. Clicking on the dropdown menu will reveal all previously created backup profiles. These profiles define what data will be backed up during the scheduled task. Select the profile that you want this schedule to use. The system will associate the selected profile with this job and execute its instructions when the schedule runs.
Following that, you will be asked to define the frequency of the task. FMC supports multiple scheduling options, including daily, weekly, and monthly frequencies. Each option presents a slightly different set of configuration fields. For example, if you choose weekly, you will need to specify which day of the week the task should run. If you select daily, you will define the time it should occur each day. The flexibility provided here allows administrators to align backup operations with available maintenance windows and minimize impact on system performance during peak hours.
Time Zones and Backup Failures
One often-overlooked configuration detail in FMC scheduling is the system’s time zone setting. Backups are triggered according to the time zone set on the FMC, which may not always match the time zone of the remote storage or the intended schedule defined by administrative policy. If the scheduled backup time does not match the actual system time or if there is a mismatch between the FMC time zone and the administrative time zone expectation, backups may not occur when expected or may fail altogether.
To avoid this issue, verify the time zone configured on the FMC before finalizing your scheduled backup task. Compare it to the time zone of your remote storage system or the schedule expected by your IT team. If a mismatch exists, consider adjusting the FMC’s time zone setting or offsetting the scheduled backup time to compensate.
A real-world example illustrates the importance of this step. In one case, a backup was scheduled to run weekly at 1:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, but the FMC was set to Eastern Standard Time. As a result, the backup attempted to run three hours earlier than intended. The remote server was not yet prepared to accept incoming connections at that time, causing the backup to fail. This simple oversight took days to identify. Once the time zone was corrected, the backup process worked without issue. This highlights how small configuration details can have a large impact on automated systems.
Finalizing and Saving the Schedule
Once all fields in the scheduled task are correctly filled out, including job name, associated backup profile, frequency, time, and time zone confirmation, click the “Save” button to add the task to the FMC calendar. After saving, you will return to the calendar view where the newly scheduled task will now appear. If you choose a weekly schedule, for example, the job will now be shown on the calendar under the chosen day of the week and time.
From this point forward, FMC will automatically initiate a backup at the scheduled time using the defined backup profile and send the resulting file to the remote storage destination previously configured. If a backup is missed or fails, it will be logged and can be reviewed from within the “Backup and Restore” section. Additionally, recurring backup jobs will continue to run according to the schedule unless they are edited or deleted.
It is a good practice to monitor the first few scheduled backups manually to ensure everything runs smoothly. After several successful executions, trust in the system can grow, but it is still advisable to periodically verify that backups are being created as expected.
Modifying or Deleting Scheduled Tasks
From time to time, you may need to change an existing schedule, either to adjust the time, switch to a different backup profile, or cancel the job altogether. To do this, return to the “Scheduling” section in the “Backup and Restore” area. Locate the scheduled task on the calendar and click on it to view its details.
Inside the task view, options to edit or delete the task will be available. If you choose to edit the task, you can modify the job name, profile, schedule frequency, and time zone. After making your changes, click “Save” again to update the task. The modified job will now run with the updated configuration at the next scheduled interval.
If you no longer need the task, simply choose the delete option. Removing the task will stop all future backups from running under that configuration. Deleting a schedule does not remove the backup profile or any existing backup files, only the automatic trigger associated with the schedule.
By implementing automated backup schedules in FMC, administrators ensure that vital configuration and event data are regularly backed up without manual intervention. This not only reduces the risk of human error but also aligns with industry best practices for data protection and system recovery.
The FMC scheduling tool provides a visual interface for managing backups, supports multiple scheduling options, and integrates seamlessly with previously configured backup profiles. While powerful and flexible, it requires careful attention to details such as time zones and storage availability to operate correctly.
With automated backup scheduling in place, organizations benefit from increased operational reliability, reduced administrative overhead, and a higher level of confidence in their disaster recovery posture. In the final section, we will review post-backup best practices, backup retention strategies, and troubleshooting methods to maintain a healthy backup environment.
Post-Backup Best Practices, Retention, and Troubleshooting
Once a backup has been created—whether manually or through automated scheduling—it’s important to understand what happens next and how to maintain a consistent, reliable backup routine. Firepower Management Center does not simply store backups and forget them. There are logs, storage limits, and operational behaviors that must be monitored regularly to ensure that the backup system remains healthy and ready to support restoration when needed.
Backups contain valuable data, including configuration files, security policies, event logs, and threat intelligence. These files are critical to restoring operations in the event of data loss or system failure. The FMC provides a built-in interface for managing backups, viewing logs, restoring from backups, and cleaning up old files. Familiarity with these tools is essential for any administrator managing critical infrastructure.
The focus of this section is on what to do after backups are created. This includes how to manage backup files, how to verify backups were successful, how to handle disk space limitations, and how to troubleshoot failures when they occur.
Verifying Backup Integrity
The first step after any backup operation is to verify that the backup was completed successfully. Firepower Management Center provides real-time and historical logs of backup operations. These logs can be accessed from the “Backup and Restore” section under “System Settings.” Here, each backup operation is listed with a status indicator showing whether it was successful or failed.
Successful backups will typically be marked with a clear confirmation and include a timestamp, file size, and the location to which the backup was sent. It is good practice to cross-reference this information with your remote storage system to ensure the file was physically transferred and is accessible.
In addition to checking FMC’s internal logs, administrators should also manually verify the presence and accessibility of backup files on the remote storage system. Open the specified directory on the remote host and confirm the file’s existence, size, and format. Depending on your storage solution, it may also be useful to perform checksum validation or test mounting the backup archive to confirm that it is not corrupted.
This level of validation is especially important after the first few scheduled backups are run. Even though FMC confirms successful completion, the only real way to ensure reliability is to validate the output at the destination.
Managing Disk Space and Storage Limits
FMC does not automatically delete old backups from either local or remote storage. Over time, this can lead to excessive use of disk space, which may impact not just backups but the performance of the FMC itself or the availability of storage on the remote server. Administrators must be proactive in managing storage capacity and backup retention.
There are several strategies to manage storage effectively:
- Limit the number of backups retained on FMC by periodically deleting older files through the interface.
- Monitor available disk space on both FMC and remote servers using built-in tools or external monitoring platforms.
- Establish a retention policy that defines how many daily, weekly, and monthly backups to keep.
- Use automation or custom scripts on the remote storage system to archive or remove backups older than a specified threshold.
If storage fills up, FMC backups will fail, and depending on system configuration, notifications may or may not be generated. It is therefore essential to routinely check disk usage and perform cleanup tasks as needed. For critical systems, it may also be worth implementing alerts to warn of low disk space on remote backup servers.
Restoring from a Backup
Creating backups is only half the equation. Equally important is understanding how to restore from those backups when needed. In the event of a system failure, software corruption, or human error, restoring from a backup can save hours or even days of downtime.
Restoration is done from the “Backup and Restore” section in FMC. The administrator selects the backup file to restore from, chooses the data components to be restored, and confirms the operation. FMC will stop services as needed, import the backup, and restart in the restored state.
It’s important to understand what is being restored. Depending on the backup profile used, the restored file may include configurations only, events only, threat intelligence, or a full snapshot. Before restoring, review the content of the backup file to ensure it matches what is required. Some restorations may be partial and not include event data if that was not selected during backup.
Also, remember that restoring a backup will overwrite the existing configuration. Any changes made since the time of the backup will be lost. It is strongly recommended to export current configurations before performing a restoration, even if they are known to be flawed, in case partial data recovery is needed later.
Scheduling Review and Compliance Auditing
For organizations governed by compliance regulations or internal policies, backup operations often need to be documented and auditable. Firepower Management Center’s backup logs can support this need, but it is the administrator’s responsibility to maintain consistent practices.
A periodic review of backup schedules and logs is recommended. This review includes confirming that:
- Scheduled jobs are still active and running as expected.
- Backup files exist for each defined interval (daily, weekly, monthly).
- Storage space is sufficient for future backups.
- No backup jobs have failed within the last period.
In environments with high compliance demands, backup operations should be included in regular audit checklists. Detailed logs should be saved, and backup reports may be required to demonstrate data protection practices to external auditors or internal security teams.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Steps
Despite best efforts, backup operations can occasionally fail. Understanding how to identify and resolve these issues quickly is essential for maintaining a stable and secure FMC environment. Below are some common backup-related problems and how to troubleshoot them.
Backup fails due to unreachable remote storage: This is often caused by network issues or misconfigured firewall rules. Confirm that FMC can reach the remote storage IP or hostname and that the port used by the protocol (SSH, SMB, or SSHFS) is open.
Authentication errors: These occur when the username or password is incorrect, or when the SSH public key is not properly installed on the remote system. Re-check credentials and confirm that the user has the required permissions to write to the target directory.
Incorrect directory path: If the specified directory does not exist or FMC lacks permissions to access it, backups will fail. Ensure the path is correct and that it allows write access for the configured user.
Time zone mismatch: Scheduled backups may run at the wrong time or not at all if FMC’s time zone does not match the intended time zone for the schedule. Review time zone settings on both FMC and the remote storage server to ensure alignment.
Disk space full: Whether on FMC or the remote storage, insufficient disk space will cause backups to fail. Monitor usage regularly and implement a file retention policy.
Protocol compatibility: Not all versions of SMB or SSHFS may be compatible with FMC. Check documentation and test connections before relying on specific configurations.
To assist with troubleshooting, the FMC logs are a valuable resource. These logs provide detailed error messages that can guide administrators in identifying the exact point of failure.
Long-Term Backup Strategy Recommendations
Implementing a strong backup strategy does not end with setting up profiles and schedules. Long-term reliability depends on continued oversight, testing, and adjustment. Below are key recommendations for sustaining a healthy backup system:
- Schedule backups outside of production hours to avoid system performance impact.
- Regularly test backup files by restoring them in a non-production environment.
- Use secure protocols such as SSH for encrypted file transfers.
- Rotate credentials or keys regularly to maintain security compliance.
- Review and update backup profiles if FMC policies or configurations change.
- Store backup archives in more than one location whenever possible.
By applying these best practices, organizations can protect their FMC environments from data loss and reduce the impact of operational disruptions.
Final Thoughts
The complete process of configuring, automating, and managing remote backups in the Firepower Management Center is essential for safeguarding network security operations. From defining remote storage connections and creating backup profiles to scheduling jobs and monitoring file health, each step contributes to the overall reliability and recoverability of your FMC system.
Backups are not merely a checkbox item—they are an ongoing process that must be maintained, reviewed, and adjusted as your environment evolves. With careful planning and regular oversight, FMC backups can become a dependable part of your organization’s security and data protection strategy.