Cloud SQL database instance has automated backups configured

Check ID: cloudsql_instance_automated_backups
Provider: GCP
Service: cloudsql
Severity: HIGH
Categories: resilience
Resource type: sqladmin.googleapis.com/Instance

What this check verifies

Cloud SQL instances are checked for automated backups being configured to run on a schedule and support point-in-time recovery.

Risk

Absent automated backups, unintended deletes, corruption, or ransomware can become irreversible. This degrades data integrity and availability, removes point-in-time recovery options, and widens RPO/RTO, causing prolonged outages and incomplete restoration after incidents or schema changes.

Recommendation

Enable automated backups on all Cloud SQL instances holding important data. Set retention and schedules to meet RPO/RTO, and enable point-in-time recovery. Apply least privilege to backup access, use separation of duties, consider cross-region resilience, and regularly test restores with monitoring and alerts for failures.

Remediation

CLI
Terraform
Dashboard steps

gcloud sql instances patch <INSTANCE_NAME> —backup-start-time <HH:MM>

resource "google_sql_database_instance" "<example_resource_name>" {
  name             = "<example_resource_id>"
  database_version = "POSTGRES_14"
  region           = "<REGION>"

  settings {
    tier = "db-custom-1-3840"

    backup_configuration {
      enabled    = true      # Critical: turns on automated backups
      start_time = "02:00"  # Critical: required to enable backups and set start time
    }
  }
}

References

Where this check fires

This check runs on every scheduled scan against your GCP account. Findings appear at Cloud Security → Findings filterable by Check ID = cloudsql_instance_automated_backups. To re-evaluate after a fix, hit Run now on the account’s schedule under Cloud Security → Schedules — the next scan re-checks this control and marks the finding fixed or keeps it persistent.

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What this check verifies

Risk

Recommendation

Remediation

References

Where this check fires