What testing practice should accompany backups to ensure restorations work?

• A. Only creating backups without testing
• B. Relying on backups without restoration
• C. Verifying restoration procedures to confirm data can be recovered.
• D. Guessing that restoration will work

Answer: (C)

Verifying restoration procedures ensures you can actually recover data from backups when needed. Backups by themselves don’t guarantee a successful restore—media can be corrupted, files may be missing, or the restore process might encounter configuration or compatibility issues. By testing the restore in a controlled environment, you confirm that you can recover the required data to its correct state within the time a disaster plan allows. This practice also validates the steps, tools, credentials, and dependencies involved, and helps catch problems with data integrity, point-in-time recoveries, or access controls before a real incident occurs. Regular restoration testing supports meeting recovery objectives (RTOs and RPOs) and prevents downtime and data loss.

Creating backups without testing leaves you unable to verify recoverability. Relying on backups without performing a restoration isn’t enough to prove they’ll actually work when needed. Guessing that restoration will work is unsafe and can lead to failed recoveries when disaster strikes.