Backup Verification

Last updated: October 18, 2022

Overview

  • Regular cadence to test validity of backed up data
  • Testing backup integrity and accuracy throughout various restore points and scope
  • points - “a week ago / a month ago” (point in time)
  • scope - file vs directory vs DB (different parts of data)
  • Verify backup is what is expected
  • Document results of Backup Verification

Why Does This Matter?

  • Backup technologies are imperfect

  • software only backing up what it sees

  • encrypt & compress data

  • data changed on way in

  • need to pull data out and verify process is accurate

    let’s be sure programs are working correctly to keep data integrity

  • verify data is complete

  • Provides peace of mind for data

What Value Does This Add?

  • Data Protection
  • Risk Reduction
  • Redundancy
  • Disaster recovery
  • Configuration
  • Aligned to best practice and business needs

Common Problems

  • Data wasn’t back up as expected
  • verification shows gaps in scope
  • Find corruption
  • Highlight retention periods are wrong

Why Is A Solution Needed?

  • Time has shown that backup technologies need regular review

  • can easily become out-of-sync

  • Too important not to regularly look at by an engineer

  • Backup issues/oversights not always obvious

  • doesn’t impact day-to-day and underlying issues can exist

    Notifications can be set up, but can provide false positives/negatives

What To Expect

Business Leaders can expect

  • Data is protected
  • Minimum risk of data loss
  • Data viable when needed
  • Proof & Documentation of work
  • Transparency

End Users can expect

  • Ability to retrieve lost data

    Ease of mind w/ User-Error

  • accidental deletion

  • corruption

How Does Black Line Do It Better?

  • We simply get it done

  • Part of Black Line discipline

  • Transparency

  • We make sure there is a backup

  • too common for business to say they “backup” but do not in reality

  • engineers don’t usually have disciplines around doing it

    We have dedicated team to do this service

  • Dedicated teams for checks and verification (checks & balance)