The check that matters most.
WHY QUARTERLY
Frequently enough to catch a problem before you need the backup. Infrequently enough to be realistic.
THE PROCEDURE
- Create a subdomain for testing.
- Restore your most recent backup there: files and database.
- Update the configuration with the test database and URL.
- Load the site.
- Check content, images, and the admin login.
- For a shop, place a test order.
- Note how long the whole thing took.
- Delete the test installation properly.
WHAT TO RECORD
Whether it worked What was missing, if anything How long it took Any step that was harder than expected
That last one matters: the steps you fumbled are the steps you will fumble during an emergency.
WHAT PEOPLE DISCOVER
Missing media, an excluded database, backups that stopped months ago, or a restore procedure they could not actually follow.
Better now than during an incident.
UPDATING YOUR PLAN
Correct your recovery documentation to match what you actually did.
