Backup Job Validation and Test Restore Check

Inspection template for MSPs to verify backup jobs completed within SLA and that a test restore successfully opened files without corruption.

Inspection Setup and Scope

• Backup system, customer, and job scope identified
  Record the backup platform, customer/site, and the specific backup job or policy being inspected.
• Inspection window and backup SLA documented
  Document the expected completion SLA, backup window, and the time period covered by this inspection.
• Backup source and target confirmed
  Select the primary backup source and destination being validated.
• Reference backup policy or SOP attached
  Attach evidence of the applicable backup policy, runbook, or customer-approved recovery procedure.

Backup Job Completion and SLA Verification

• Scheduled backup job completed successfully within SLA
  Verify the backup job completed successfully and within the defined SLA window.
• Backup job start and finish timestamps recorded
  Capture the job start and completion timestamps for the selected backup run.
• Job duration within expected runtime range
  Record the observed runtime and compare it to the expected backup duration.
• Backup logs show no errors, warnings, or skipped items requiring review
  Review the job log for failures, retry exhaustion, skipped files, or other non-conformances.

Backup Integrity and Repository Health

• Backup set is present and readable in the repository
  Confirm the backup artifact exists in the expected repository or cloud vault and is readable by the backup platform.
• Backup verification or checksum validation passed
  Confirm the backup verification process, checksum check, or platform integrity validation completed without corruption.
• Repository capacity and retention status acceptable
  Select the current repository status based on capacity, retention, and overwrite risk.
• Any backup non-conformance documented for follow-up
  Indicate whether any deficiency, exception, or non-conformance was identified during repository review.

Test Restore Execution and File Integrity

• Representative test restore completed successfully
  Verify a test restore was executed from the selected backup set to the approved restore location.
• Restored files opened successfully without corruption
  Confirm the restored files opened and were usable, with no corruption, truncation, or unreadable content.
• Restore target and file sample documented
  Record the restore destination, file names, file types, and sample size used for the test restore.
• Restore time met recovery objective
  Record the elapsed restore time and compare it to the recovery objective.

Evidence, Exceptions, and Sign-Off

• Screenshots, logs, or restore evidence attached
  Attach evidence showing job completion, verification results, and restore validation.
• Corrective action or remediation assigned for any deficiency
  Document remediation steps, owner, and due date for any failed or borderline item.
• Inspector sign-off completed
  Inspector confirms the backup validation and test restore check were completed and reviewed.