Strategy, Governance and Training
Backup Restore Testing
We restore the critical systems you select from backup. We measure the time taken, data integrity, and whether backups are protected from attackers.
What it is
A successful backup job does not guarantee that a restore will work. A recovery test restores defined systems from backup in an isolated environment and verifies that the application runs. The measured time is compared with the recovery time objective (RTO), and data loss with the recovery point objective (RPO). The test also checks if backups could be deleted using accounts an attacker might compromise.
Scope
- Defining systems to test and success criteria
- Restoring in an isolated environment and verifying application operation
- Comparing restore time with RTO and data loss with RPO
- Checking for immutable and offline backup copies
- Reviewing permissions and accounts of the backup management console
- Test record with date, time, systems tested, and result
The need
When organizations need it
- When auditors require evidence that backups can be restored, not just that backup jobs run.
- When backup reports show success but it is unclear when the last full restore was performed.
- When you need to show management that your backups are truly protected against ransomware.
Method
How we work
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Selection
We define the critical systems and success criteria with you.
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Restore
We restore the systems from backup in an isolated environment and verify the application runs.
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Measurement
We record the time, data integrity, and any issues encountered.
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Protection check
We check whether backups and backup management are inaccessible to attackers.
Outcome
What you have at the end
You have measured how long each system took to restore and the amount of data lost. Test records for audit are also prepared.
Frequently asked questions
Does the test affect production systems?
The restore is performed in an environment isolated from production. Network and identity settings are planned in advance to prevent conflicts with the production network.
How often should we run this test?
Frequency depends on system criticality and your obligations. The test should be repeated after any major infrastructure or backup change.
Isn't our backup software's verification feature enough?
These features may check backup readability or system boot. Only a full restore test shows the application works with its dependencies and meets the time target.
Strategy, Governance and Training
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Let's talk about this service.
Tell us briefly what you need. We will agree on the scope and timing together in the first meeting.
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