How to verify backups with restore tests

Topic: Backups recovery

A backup is only useful if restore works. Run periodic restore tests: restore to a test environment, verify data and application integrity, and document the process. Use this when setting up a backup schedule or when improving recovery confidence.

Intent: How-to

Quick answer

  • Schedule restore tests (e.g. quarterly); pick a recent backup and restore to a non-production environment. Verify files or DB are present and consistent; run application smoke tests if applicable.
  • Document the restore steps (which backup, which tool, which target). Time the restore to know RTO; fix any missing steps or failures so the runbook is valid when needed in an incident.
  • Test different scenarios: full restore, single-file or single-DB restore, point-in-time. Ensure backup credentials and permissions are not lost when the primary is down (e.g. store runbook and access outside the primary system).

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Choose backup and target

    Select a recent backup (e.g. last week) and a restore target (test server, new volume, or separate account). Ensure the target has enough space and that restore will not overwrite production.

  2. Run restore

    Follow the restore procedure (tool-specific: restore from S3, from backup server, from snapshot). Record start and end time; note any errors or manual steps. If the runbook is wrong, update it.

  3. Verify data and app

    Check that files or DB are present and consistent (checksums, row count, sample queries). If it is an application backup, start the app and run smoke tests (login, critical flow).

  4. Document and improve

    Document actual RTO; add missing steps to the runbook. Fix backup or restore configuration if verification failed. Schedule the next test and assign an owner.

Summary

Run periodic restore tests: restore a recent backup to a test environment, verify data and application, and update the runbook. Use this to ensure backups are usable and to know real RTO.

Prerequisites

Steps

Step 1: Choose backup and target

Pick a recent backup and a safe restore target (non-production). Ensure enough space and no production overwrite.

Step 2: Run restore

Execute the restore procedure; record time and any errors; update the runbook if steps are wrong or missing.

Step 3: Verify data and app

Verify files or DB consistency; run application smoke tests if applicable.

Step 4: Document and improve

Record RTO; fix backup or restore if verification failed; schedule the next test.

Verification

Restore completes successfully; data and app are verified; runbook is updated and repeatable.

Troubleshooting

Restore fails — Check backup integrity (checksums, logs); fix backup job or target permissions. Runbook outdated — Update during the test; store runbook where it is available during an outage.

Next steps

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