Database recovery model best practice policy

Applies to: SQL Server

For SQL Server Enterprise and Standard editions, this rule checks for non-read-only user databases that have recovery set to simple. For production databases, we recommend that you use the full recovery model instead of the simple recovery model. The full recovery model enables point-in-time recovery. This approach helps reduce data loss if there's a disaster recovery.

Best practices recommendations

Production databases should be in the full recovery model. The transaction log should be backed up frequently to help ensure recoverability with minimum data loss.

Related content

• Restore and recovery overview (SQL Server)
• Complete Database Restores (Full Recovery Model)
• Transaction log backups (SQL Server)