backup

Backup: config files, system state snapshots, restore, verify integrity, list backups

SERVERDefense SOURCEdefense-mcp-server

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 121 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/defense/backup.md

WHAT IT DOES

What backup does on Defense

AI agents use backup to create or update resources in Defense, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Defense environment.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`tag`	string	—	Tag for this backup set
`files`	string	—	Comma-separated file paths to back up
`limit`	number	—	Maximum number of results
`action`	string	Yes	Backup management action
`filter`	string	—	Filter by filename pattern
`dry_run`	boolean	—	Preview without executing
`sort_by`	string	—	Sort order
`output_dir`	string	—	Directory to save snapshot files
`backup_path`	string	—	Path to the backup file
`include_users`	boolean	—	Include user/group information
`original_path`	string	—	Original file path to restore to
`check_integrity`	boolean	—	Compute and verify SHA256 checksums

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why backup is rated Medium

The tool performs multiple operations. Listing and integrity verification are Read-level, but creating snapshots and restoring system state are Write/Execute-level actions. Restore in particular can overwrite live system configuration, making misuse high-severity.

From the tool's definition 'config files, system state snapshots, restore, verify integrity, list backups' — covers both reading/listing and writing backup data, plus restore operations that overwrite system state

Risk signalsHigh parameter count (16 properties)

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs backup safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Defense, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For backup, this is the rule to start with:

backup Rate-limited

backup stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "backup": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "backup_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Defense, apply this rule, and every backup call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about backup

What does the backup tool do? +

Backup: config files, system state snapshots, restore, verify integrity, list backups. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Defense MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

What parameters does backup accept? +

backup accepts 12 parameters: tag, files, limit, action, filter, dry_run, sort_by, output_dir, backup_path, include_users, original_path, check_integrity. Required: action. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on backup? +

Register the Defense MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for backup: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Defense. Nothing to install.

What risk level is backup? +

backup is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit backup? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the backup rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block backup completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for backup. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides backup? +

backup is provided by the Defense MCP server (defense-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Defense, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

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Guides

Govern customer-ops agents →Argument validation →Scoped token →