IT guide
How to check whether backup actually works
Configured backup does not automatically mean reliable recovery. Backup becomes useful only when restore is tested and incident steps are documented.
Critical questions
- Which workloads are protected and which systems are missing?
- What is the real retention for files, databases, VMs and Microsoft 365?
- When was a full restore last tested?
- Who performs recovery steps during an incident?
RPO and RTO
- RPO defines the maximum acceptable data loss.
- RTO defines the maximum acceptable time until service recovery.
- Both should be defined per service, not generically for the whole company.
FAQ
Why is configured backup not enough?
An untested backup can fail when it is needed most. Restore testing, clear retention and documented recovery steps are essential.