# pfSense Backup and Recovery

> pfSense backup - configuration XML export, restoring from a backup, AutoConfigBackup scheduling, and strategies that protect your firewall config.

Source: https://opennix.org/en/docs/pfsense/backup/


The pfSense backup system is built around the XML configuration file (config.xml), which contains all firewall settings - from firewall rules and VPN tunnels to user accounts and certificates. This single file is sufficient for a complete system restoration on new hardware or after a reinstallation. Regular backup creation and secure off-device storage is a mandatory element of firewall operations.

Backups contain sensitive information - passwords, certificate private keys, and VPN pre-shared keys. Securing backup storage is no less important than creating the backups themselves.

## In This Section

- [Backup and Recovery](/docs/pfsense/backup/pfsense-backup-recovery/) - manual XML export, AutoConfigBackup, disaster recovery, configuration migration between devices, and best practices