# Backups Checklist: Critical Staking Node Data

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Annually, it's good practice to review and refamilarize yourself that your staking data is backed up and accessible.
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:fire: **Critical Crypto Reminder:** **Keep your mnemonics, keep your ETH.**

* **Withdrawal Wallet Seed Phrase**: Ideally this is secured by a hardware wallet. Most important piece of data and represents your ETH!
* **Validator Key Mnemonic**: Write this down **offline**. Not email. Not cloud.
* **Validator\_keys directory**: Contains keystore files and deposit\_data.
* **Password for keystore files:** Required when installing validators.

**Suggestions**:

* Create multiple copies. *Best stored in a* [*metal seed.*](https://jlopp.github.io/metal-bitcoin-storage-reviews/)
* Make **offline backups**, such as to a USB key, of your **`validator_keys`** directory.
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