Use this checklist to review a backup arrangement with the people who rely on the data. It is a preparation tool, not proof that a system is recoverable. Each completed item should have a named owner and a record someone else can find.
Inventory and priorities
- List the systems and cloud services holding important business information.
- Identify the business owner and technical owner for each system.
- Record acceptable data loss and downtime for the critical tasks.
- Confirm whether files, settings, permissions, and application data are included.
- Identify dependencies such as identity accounts, network access, and licenses.
Daily operation
Confirm who reviews failed or missed backup jobs and who receives an escalation if that person is unavailable. Check storage usage and retention against the agreed scope. A job that succeeds for one folder does not establish coverage for every business system.
Recovery access
Keep recovery credentials and instructions available through an approved process that still works during an outage. Document who can authorize a restore and how identity will be verified. Confirm that an employee departure does not leave the business unable to access its own backups.
Test and record
Choose a representative recovery scenario. Restore to a safe separate location, check the recovered content, confirm relevant permissions, and record elapsed time. Have the business owner validate that the result supports the intended task. Document failures and repeat the affected test after correction.
Include more than one scenario over time: an accidentally deleted file, an unavailable workstation, and a wider disruption may require different steps. Avoid a test that changes or overwrites production data without explicit coordination.
Review after changes
Revisit coverage when adding an application, moving files, changing providers, or adopting a new cloud service. Record the review date and the next action. Backups are an ongoing operational responsibility rather than a one-time installation.
See the backup-service guide for proposal questions and managed IT for help coordinating the work.