Infrastructure · Infrastructure Resilience · 03
Backup and restore validation
Backup and restore validation proves, system by system, that backups cover what they should, run when they should, are protected from deletion and tampering, and restore to a usable state within the time the business expects. It is needed when backup success is known only from the backup tool’s own reports, when a ransomware event would depend on backups the attacker could reach, when an insurer, auditor or customer asks for evidence of tested restores, or when a restore was attempted and failed. Validation produces a coverage reconciliation against the critical system inventory, an assessment of protection controls such as immutability and isolation, documented restore tests with measured results, and the record that replaces assumption with evidence.
Scope
What the review covers.
- Coverage reconciliation: critical systems against backup jobs and retention
- Job success, failure handling and alerting
- Protection: immutability, offline or isolated copies, access to backup systems
- Restore tests: file, application and full-system, measured
- Recovery time and point measurement against objectives
- Evidence and remediation of gaps
Deliverables
What you receive.
| Deliverable | Form |
|---|---|
| Coverage report | Systems, backup status, retention, gaps |
| Protection assessment | Immutability, isolation and access findings |
| Restore test record | Tests performed, results, timings |
| Remediation list | Gaps with owners and dates |
Prerequisites
What we need from you.
- The critical system inventory, or support producing it
- Access to backup platforms and a restore environment
- Recovery objectives, if defined
Related
Where this sits.
By David Selakovic · Published 2026-10-16 · Revised 2026-10-16 · Reviewed every 180 days
Questions
Asked before engaging.
How often should restores be tested?
On a cadence tied to criticality. Critical systems are tested more often and more completely.
Can validation be run continuously?
Yes. Many clients run it as a scheduled control under Managed Security Operations. See Backup and recovery control checks.
What is the most common finding?
Backups that complete but cannot be restored within the expected time, and backup systems reachable with the same credentials an attacker would steal.