Moscow and the Moscow RegionForensic and pre-litigation examinations
Practical guide

You have a backup: checking whether it contains production data

· 2 min read

An archive or a successful backup status does not automatically establish that the required system and data can be restored. In a dispute, establish the backup's contents, creation time and the results of a controlled restoration test.

Describe exactly what is called a backup

It may be a database export, disk snapshot, application file archive or set of configurations. Each object needs its origin, date, acquisition method and known limitations documented. A test environment copy must not be used without disclosure as proof of production system contents.

Test restoration separately from the live environment

Plan restoration with security and preservation of the original material in mind. Software versions, dependencies, keys and access permissions matter. The existence of tables or successful application startup does not yet mean the required records and application relationships have been restored.

Compare the result with the task being checked

Specific record categories, date ranges and agreed functions can be checked. Criteria must be set before the result is assessed. Record errors, missing components and actions that change the restored environment separately; tie conclusions to the copy examined rather than the project's entire history.

What to prepare

  • Backup files and information about their acquisition.
  • Descriptions of production and test environments, keeping them distinct.
  • Backup dates and job execution logs.
  • A list of data and functions to be checked.
  • Available configurations, dependencies and results of previous restorations.

What to bear in mind

Do not restore an unknown copy over a live system or send secrets through public forms. Restoration capability and the presence of particular data are separate, verifiable questions.

Outcome of preliminary preparation

The technical result describes the backup's contents, test conditions and data found, stating which assertions are supported and which remain outside the examination.

Related material

AWS: checking test restoration results

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