Tools
What would be gone tomorrow?
Six questions on backups: where the data lives, how often it is backed up, where the copy is, whether it has ever been restored. At the end a level, the three most important steps and a rehearsal plan to print.
The problem
What would be gone tomorrow if the computer died tonight?
The backup runs “somehow automatically”, the copy sits in the same room, and nobody has ever restored anything. The damage shows only when it is too late: after a defect, a theft or encryption by malware.
What the check does: Six questions: where the data is, how often it is backed up, where the copy is, whether it is protected, whether a restore was ever done, who is responsible. At the end a level, three steps and a restore drill plan to print.
What it does not do: It names no retention periods and no duties; those are in the handbooks with sources.
Is a backup in the cloud enough?
The check asks where the copy is and whether it can be changed from the work computer. The explanation at the answer says what matters.
Why should I practise a restore?
Because a backup that has never been restored is only an assumption. The drill plan turns it into an appointment with a result.
Who in the business should do this?
A named person, even if they do it on the side. The check asks about it because “automatic” usually means “nobody”.