# Best Practices Summary

**Last Updated:** 2026-01-31  
**Document Version:** 1.0  
**Status:** Active Documentation

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Quick reference of best practices for validated set deployment.

## 🔒 Security

- ✅ Use encrypted credential storage
- ✅ Restrict file permissions (600 for sensitive files)
- ✅ Use SSH keys, disable passwords
- ✅ Regularly rotate API tokens
- ✅ Implement firewall rules
- ✅ Use unprivileged containers
- ✅ Encrypt validator key backups

## 🛠️ Operations

- ✅ Test in development first
- ✅ Use version control for configs
- ✅ Document all changes
- ✅ Create snapshots before changes
- ✅ Use consistent naming conventions
- ✅ Implement health checks
- ✅ Monitor logs regularly

## 📊 Monitoring

- ✅ Enable Besu metrics (port 9545)
- ✅ Centralize logs
- ✅ Set up alerts for critical issues
- ✅ Create dashboards
- ✅ Monitor resource usage
- ✅ Track consensus metrics

## 💾 Backup

- ✅ Automate backups
- ✅ Encrypt sensitive backups
- ✅ Test restore procedures
- ✅ Store backups off-site
- ✅ Maintain retention policy
- ✅ Document backup procedures

## 🧪 Testing

- ✅ Test deployment scripts
- ✅ Test rollback procedures
- ✅ Test disaster recovery
- ✅ Validate after changes
- ✅ Use dry-run mode when available

## 📚 Documentation

- ✅ Keep docs up-to-date
- ✅ Document procedures
- ✅ Create runbooks
- ✅ Maintain troubleshooting guides
- ✅ Version control documentation

## ⚡ Performance

- ✅ Right-size containers
- ✅ Monitor resource usage
- ✅ Optimize JVM settings
- ✅ Use SSD storage
- ✅ Optimize network settings
- ✅ Monitor database growth