Data Center Backup and Disaster Recovery Testing Checklist
This backup and disaster recovery testing checklist ensures compliance with ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management, NIST SP 800-34 Contingency Planning Guide, and SOC 2 Type II Availability criteria A1.3. Designed for IT operations managers and business continuity planners to validate backup integrity, replication health, and DR drill results.
- Industry: Telecommunications & IT
- Frequency: Monthly
- Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
- Role: IT Operations Manager / Business Continuity Planner
- Total Items: 26
- Compliance: ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management, NIST SP 800-34 Contingency Planning Guide, SOC 2 Type II Availability Criteria A1.3, DRII Professional Practices for Business Continuity, BS 11200 Crisis Management Guidance
Backup Job Verification
Backup job completion, success rates, and data integrity.
- All critical system backups completed successfully?
- Failed backup jobs in last 7 days
- Backup retention policies meeting business requirements?
- Off-site/cloud backup copies confirmed?
- Backup data encrypted at rest and in transit?
Restore and Recovery Testing
Backup restore validation and RTO/RPO measurement.
- Restore test completed within last 30 days?
- Recovery Time Objective (RTO) achieved in test?
- Recovery Point Objective (RPO) achieved?
- Actual restore time (hours)
- Restore Test Notes
Replication and High Availability
Synchronous and asynchronous replication health monitoring.
- Replication lag within acceptable parameters?
- Secondary site data synchronized to production?
- Replication jobs (Veeam/Zerto/VMware SRM) healthy?
- Automated failover tested in last 6 months?
DR Plan Currency
Disaster recovery plan documentation and personnel readiness.
- DR Plan reviewed and updated in last 12 months?
- Emergency contact list current with mobile numbers?
- All DR roles assigned with backups identified?
- Critical vendor contacts documented in DR plan?
Cloud and Hybrid Backup
Cloud backup services and hybrid cloud replication verification.
- Cloud backup account credentials tested and accessible?
- Cloud storage costs within budget parameters?
- Cloud backup region compliant with data residency laws?
- Immutable/air-gapped backups configured for ransomware protection?
Compliance and Reporting
DR compliance documentation and audit trail maintenance.
- Backup and restore audit logs maintained for 1 year?
- Monthly DR status report distributed to leadership?
- Identified DR gaps documented with remediation timeline?
- DR Assessment Notes
Related IT & Data Security Checklists
- Data Center Access Management and Logical Security Audit Checklist
- Data Center Patch Management and Vulnerability Remediation Checklist
- Data Center Cable Management and Structured Cabling Inspection Checklist
- Data Center Server Rack and Hardware Inspection Checklist
- Data Center Capacity Planning and Asset Lifecycle Checklist
- Data Center Sustainability and Green Operations Checklist
- Data Center Change Management Inspection Checklist
- Data Center Incident Response Drill and Readiness Checklist
Related Data Center Checklists
- Telecom Data Center Rack & Cabling Checklist - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 36 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 37 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 38 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 39 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 40 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 41 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 42 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 43 - FREE Download
- Batch 4G It Checklist 44 - FREE Download
Why Use This Data Center Backup and Disaster Recovery Testing Checklist?
This data center backup and disaster recovery testing checklist helps telecommunications & it teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for it operations manager / business continuity planner professionals, this checklist covers 26 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.
Ensures compliance with ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management, NIST SP 800-34 Contingency Planning Guide, SOC 2 Type II Availability Criteria A1.3, DRII Professional Practices for Business Continuity, BS 11200 Crisis Management Guidance. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Data Center Backup and Disaster Recovery Testing Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 26 inspection items across 6 sections: Backup Job Verification, Restore and Recovery Testing, Replication and High Availability, DR Plan Currency, Cloud and Hybrid Backup, Compliance and Reporting. It is designed for telecommunications & it operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed monthly. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
Who should use this Data Center Backup and Disaster Recovery Testing Checklist?
This checklist is designed for IT Operations Manager / Business Continuity Planner professionals in the telecommunications & it industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.