Security · Managed Security Operations · 07
Backup and recovery control checks
Backup and recovery control checks verify, on a schedule, that backups exist for the systems that matter, that they complete, that they are protected from the attacker who already has your administrator credentials, and that they restore. It is needed when backup success is reported by the backup tool and never tested, when ransomware readiness depends on recovery, when an insurer or auditor asks for evidence of tested backups, or when recovery objectives have never been measured against reality. The checks produce a backup coverage reconciliation against the critical system list, verification of immutability and isolation controls, scheduled restore tests with measured results, and a record that shows recovery is proven rather than assumed.
Scope
What the review covers.
- Coverage reconciliation: critical systems against backup jobs
- Job success, retention and alerting on failure
- Immutability, offline or isolated copies and access controls on backup systems
- Restore testing: scheduled, measured, recorded
- Recovery time and recovery point measurement against objectives
- Evidence for insurers, auditors and continuity plans
Deliverables
What you receive.
| Deliverable | Form |
|---|---|
| Coverage report | Critical systems, backup status and gaps |
| Protection review | Immutability, isolation and access findings |
| Restore test record | Scheduled tests with measured results |
| Evidence summary | For insurers, auditors and the continuity plan |
Prerequisites
What we need from you.
- The critical system list, or support producing one
- Access to the backup platform 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 do you test restores?
On a schedule tied to how critical the system is. Critical systems are tested more often and more fully.
Our backups report success every night. Why test?
Because a successful job and a successful restore are different events. Restore testing is the only evidence that counts.
How does this relate to infrastructure resilience?
These checks are the operational control. Continuity and recovery planning sit under Infrastructure Resilience.