How To Back Up GitLab To Prevent Data Loss 

promotion

Data backup is a critical aspect of any DevOps environment, though users are not always aware of the importance of safeguarding their repos and project data. There is a thought that the git is a backup itself, however, it’s far away from the truth.

Let’s dive into comparing different GitLab backup methods, and their strong and weak sides. But first, let’s figure out why Security Leaders and DevSecOps experts may consider the necessity of GitLab backup.

Why Is It Critical To Back Up GitLab Data?

How often do you hear about ransomware attacks, vulnerabilities, outages, and other events of failure that can lead to data loss? Actually, it has already become our reality and every company should know what to do if an event of failure occurs. 

In spite of GitLab being a highly secure AI-powered DevSecOps platform, its customers still need to think about their critical data protection and backup. It isn’t only a final line against ransomware, backup also helps to minimize or even eliminate the downtime during the outage, meet legal and compliance requirements, and fulfill the Shared Responsibility Model within which the service provider takes care of the data important for its infrastructure sustainability, and the user is responsible for protecting its GitLab data.

To sum up, here are the main reasons to back up your GitLab ecosystem:  

  • to eliminate data loss during outages and ransomware attacks
  • to ensure business continuity in case of those events
  • to meet the Shared Responsibility Model
  • to meet legal and compliance regulations.

GitLab Backup Methods

When it comes to GitLab backup, organizations always try to find the best way to meet their requirements and expectations. So, let’s go through the options Security Leaders and DevSecOps specialists stop their eyes on as the basis to build their GitLab data protection strategy. 

Method # 1 - GitLab Backup and Restore Utility
We’ve already mentioned that GitLab values security, Thus, it provides its own dependability measure to support its users with Gitlab backups. For that reason, the service provider has its own built-in backup and restore utility - gitlab-rake.   

These Rake tasks function permits to create an archive file of a user’s entire GitLab instance, including database, repositories, configuration files, and attachments. Though, you should keep in mind that “GitLab doesn’t back up items that aren’t stored on the file system.”

Depending on what version of GitLab your organization uses and the way you installed GitLab, you will need to pick up the appropriate command:

  • If you installed GitLab using the Omnibus package, you will need to choose between two commands sudo gitlab-backup create (when it comes to the version of GitLab 12.2 or later) or gitlab-rake gitlab:bakup:crete (if you use 12.1 and earlier version of GitLab). 
  • If you installed GitLab from the source, your option is the command: sudo -u git -H exec rake gitlab:backup:crete RAILS_ENV=production .
  • If you’re running the service provider from within the Docker container, then you may start your backup from the host: docker exec -t <container name> gitlab-backup create (for GitLab version 12.2 and later) or docker exec -t <container name> gitlab-rake gitlab:backup:create (for GitLab 12.1 and earlier versions).

What is good GitLab has prepared detailed documentation on how to back up your GitLab environment. Though, it needs your attentiveness and time to read all the guidance and create your backup plan. 

Method # 2 - GitLab Repository Cloning
Is cloning the same as a backup? Actually, no… though some DevOps consider this operation as one to substitute backups, as by cloning a repository you create a local, fully functional copy. So, what actually does the process look like when you clone a repository? In this case, you download remote repo files to your computer and create a connection between them. Though, you shouldn’t forget that this connection will require you to add credentials. Thus, you get a few possible ways to clone your GitLab repository: 

  • Clone with SSH by running the command git clone git@gitlab.com:gitlab-tests/sample-project.git if you want to authenticate only one time.
  • Clone with HTTPS by running git clone https://gitlab.com/gitlab-tests/sample-project.git if you want to authenticate each time you make an operation between your computer and GitLab instance. 
  • Clone with HTTPS using Personal access, Deploy, Project access, or group access tokens when you want to use Two-Factor Authentication or you want to have a set of credentials that is recoverable and specific to one or more repos. Here is the command for that purpose: git clone https://<username>:<token>@gitlab.example.com/tanuki/awesome_project.git .

Method # 3 File system data transfer or snapshot 
You may consider using the option of snapshot or file system data transfer if your GitLab instance contains too much Git repository data making the GitLab backup script much slower, or your GitLab instance has many forked projects and you don’t want to duplicate your GitLab data. 

Though you should remember that file system data transfer or snapshot is not a backup strategy, it’s just a picture of your entire GitLab instance at some point in time. Moreover, the OS of the source should be similar to the destination making these ways to migrate from one operating system to another almost impossible. 

Method # 4 GitLab DIY backup
Another option is to rely on self-developed scripts and do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions. These methods involve creating custom scripts and may seem cost-effective from the first side, but have certain limitations:

  • Limited scalability:    DIY solutions may struggle to handle the backup needs of large and complex GitLab environments, leading to performance issues.
  • Complexity and maintenance:    Developing and maintaining custom scripts can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring ongoing updates and debugging.
  • Data integrity and consistency:    DIY solutions may face challenges in ensuring consistent and reliable backups, increasing the risk of data loss or corruption.

Method # 5 Backup with PgBouncer
Another option to back up your GitLab instance is through a PgBouncer connection. Though GitLab doesn’t advise this way as a reliable backup solution, as it can cause your GitLab instance outage and you’ll get the error message: ActiveRecord::StatementInvalid: PG::UndefinedTable

To avoid it GitLab states that backup and restore tasks “must bypass PgBouncer and connect directly to the PostgreSQL primary database node.” Or, you can use environment variables to override the settings of your database once you perform your backup. 

Method # 6 Third-party backup tools
You can opt for third-party backup tools, like GitProtect.io, which will definitely minimize your and your DevOps team’s time and nerves on backup performance. Moreover, using a professional GitLab Backup & Recovery software brings not only automation but also gives you a bundle of features aimed at protecting your GitLab data, reducing your responsibilities within the Shared Responsibility Model the service providers usually follow, and complying with SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 Security Audits (a reliable DevOps backup is a necessary requirement if a security audit is behind the corner for your team!). 

Thus, a backup vendor will guarantee that you have immutable backups with the possibility to keep them on a few storage instances (both local and cloud) and meet the 3-2-1 backup rule, ransomware protection, unlimited retention, and monitoring opportunities on how your GitLab backups have been performed. So, third-party backup tools provide: 

  • Simplified setup and management:    Third-party tools offer intuitive interfaces and streamlined workflows, making it easier to configure and manage backups without extensive technical expertise.
  • Scalability and performance:    Dedicated backup tools are designed to handle large-scale GitLab environments, ensuring efficient backup and restore operations even in complex scenarios.
  • Data integrity and security:    By implementing robust backup strategies, third-party tools minimize the risk of data loss, corruption, or unauthorized access, providing enhanced data protection.
  • Automation and scheduling:    Backup tools often offer flexible scheduling options, enabling automated backups at regular intervals, reducing the burden on administrators, and ensuring data consistency. 
  • Granular Restore and Disaster Recovery Technologies:    Professional backup software guarantees uninterrupted workflow and business continuity by ensuring fast recovery of your data after an event of failure. Thus, your DevOps team can keep coding while your DR team is dealing with the occurred disaster.   

And you make sure tools like GitProtect enable you to natively backup all crucial GitLab data - repositories, metadata (both SaaS and self-managed) as well as groups and subgroups.

Takeaway

It’s important to choose a backup method that aligns with your infrastructure, legal, compliance, and data protection requirements. While backup scripts have their merits, they may not always provide the optimal level of scalability, simplicity, and data integrity required for GitLab backup and data protection. Third-party backup tools like GitProtect.io offer specialized features and dedicated support, addressing the limitations of alternative approaches.

By leveraging such tools, organizations can streamline their backup processes, ensure data reliability, and let DevOps focus more on their core development tasks. 

You Might Also Read: 

Bitbucket Backup Methods:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible


 

 

 

 

« Today’s CISO: How The Role Has Evolved
The Seven Stages Of Cyber Resilience: »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

Information Security Group (ISG) - Royal Holloway

Information Security Group (ISG) - Royal Holloway

The Information Security Group, Royal Holloway, University of London, is an Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research.

Intrinsic-ID

Intrinsic-ID

Intrinsic-ID's authentication technology creates unique IDs and keys to authenticate chips, data, devices and systems.

Maticmind

Maticmind

Maticmind is an ICT System Integrator providing solutions and specialized skills in Networking, Security, Unified Communications & Collaboration, Datacenter & Cloud and Application.

GulfTalent

GulfTalent

GulfTalent is the leading job site for professionals in the Middle East and Gulf region covering all sectors and job categories, including cybersecurity.

AnChain.AI

AnChain.AI

AnChain.AI's analytics platform proactively protects crypto assets by providing proprietary artificial intelligence, knowledge graphs, and threat intelligence on blockchain transactions.

White Cloud Security

White Cloud Security

White Cloud is a cloud-based Application Trust-Listing security service that prevents unauthorized programs from running on your computers.

CIBR Warriors

CIBR Warriors

CIBR Warriors are a leading cyber security and networking staffing company that provides workforce solutions with businesses nationwide in the USA.

Rede Nacional CSIRT

Rede Nacional CSIRT

Rede Nacional CSIRT is a national network of CSIRTs in Portugal aimed at cooperation and mutual assistance in the handling of incidents and in the sharing of good security practices.

Appsian Security

Appsian Security

Appsian provides powerful solutions that help organizations take control of their business critical data and financial transactions.

Involta

Involta

Involta orchestrates IT transformation journeys using well-defined and rigorous processes to deliver hybrid cloud solutions, consulting and data center services tailored to our clients’ needs.

PingSafe

PingSafe

PingSafe is creating the next-generation cloud security platform powered by attackers' intelligence, providing coverage for vulnerabilities that traditional security solutions would otherwise overlook

Hubble

Hubble

Hubble grew from the idea that legacy solutions were failing to provide organizations with the asset visibility they needed to effectively secure and operate their businesses.

Cyabra

Cyabra

Cyabra is leading the fight against disinformation. Our AI shields companies and the public sector by uncovering malicious actors, bot networks, and GenAI content.

Loccus AI

Loccus AI

Loccus are developers of AI solutions in the voice safety space. We build identity verification solutions, deepfake detection systems and fraud protection products for companies and end-users.

Cynclair

Cynclair

Cybersecurity is a complex beast. And we're the beast-tamers. Our team thrives on deciphering the latest threats, building cutting-edge defenses, and making your digital world much safer.

Norwegian Data Protection Authority (Datatilsynet)

Norwegian Data Protection Authority (Datatilsynet)

The Norwegian Data Protection Authority (Datatilsynet) is the national data protection authority for Norway.