A system for providing network element protection includes a backup network element (101) having a first configuration table storing first configuration data, an active network element (102) having a second configuration table storing second configuration data, and a controller (117) arranged to update the first configuration data according to changes of the second configuration data. The controller is arranged to carry out the updating when the active network element operates according to the second configuration data as a part of a data transfer network (100). Hence, the configuration data of the backup network element is maintained and managed as if backup network element were actively in use. Therefore, the switchover from the active network element to the backup network element can be quick and resilient in a case of a failure in the active network element or in a data transfer connection to or from the active network element.