Backing up CQ
For information about the correct way to back up CQ, see the following document:

http://docs.day.com/en/home/communique_4/cq42/setup/configuration/backup_and_restore/Backup_Communique.html

This document describes different backup options. Starting with TAR Persistence Manager, it's possible now to get a hot backup of your CRX instance. That way, it's not necessary to stop your instance. TAR Persistence Manager is the default persistence manager that ships with CRX 1.4.