Take Snapshot Operation
The Take Snapshot action is used to create a record of current permissions for a specified scope in your SharePoint Online environment. This feature is valuable for tracking permissions at a specific point in time and allows for the restoration of permissions if needed. You can customize the scope to include subsites, lists, and individual items with unique permissions.
To take a snapshot in DeliverPoint, go to the “Actions” menu in the DeliverPoint dashboard and go to Snapshot management → Take Snapshot.
Fields in View for Defining the Scope
- Scope Type: Specifies the type of scope you wish to snapshot, such as Site, List/Library, or Folder/Item.
- Scope Name: Indicates the specific name of the selected scope for which the snapshot will be taken.
Operation Details Window
This window contains various settings to configure the snapshot:
Snapshot Name: Specify a name for the snapshot you wish to create. This helps you identify the snapshot later if you need to recover permissions.
Is Shared?:
- Checkbox: Check this if you want the snapshot to be available to all users for recovering permissions. If left unchecked, the snapshot will only be available to the user who created it.
Process Subsites?:
- Checkbox: Check this if you want to include all unique permissions set on subsites under the selected scope in the snapshot.
Process Lists?:
- Checkbox: Check this if you want to include all unique permissions set on lists within the selected scope in the snapshot.
Process Lists/Folder Items?:
- Checkbox: Check this if you want to include all unique permissions set on individual items within lists or folders of the selected scope.
Important Note
While the Take Snapshot operation can be performed directly, ensure you define the scope beforehand. If no specific scope is selected, DeliverPoint will default to taking a snapshot of the current site or location. This feature is particularly useful for capturing permissions that might be at risk of being modified or lost during future changes.
Tip
To create a comprehensive snapshot, select options like Process Subsites, Process Lists, and Process Lists/Folder Items. If you are working in a shared environment and anticipate other administrators needing access to this snapshot for recovery purposes, enable the Is Shared? option. Remember, this will make the snapshot accessible for permission recovery across your team.
Where and When to Use Take Snapshot
The Take Snapshot action is beneficial in scenarios such as:
- Pre-Migration or Major Configuration Changes: Before performing a site migration, permissions audit, or making significant changes to site structures, use the Take Snapshot feature to ensure a backup of current permissions is available for rollback.
- Periodic Permissions Tracking: If your organization requires regular documentation of permissions for auditing purposes, taking periodic snapshots can provide a record of permissions over time.
- Restoring Permissions After Unintended Changes: If permissions are modified accidentally or due to user error, having a snapshot allows you to quickly restore the original permissions configuration without extensive manual effort.
- Team Collaboration: When multiple administrators are managing permissions, a shared snapshot ensures consistency and a common reference point for recovering permissions if needed.
This structured approach ensures that permission configurations are safeguarded, reducing the risk of accidental data exposure or unauthorized access in your SharePoint environment.