Backup, Recovery, Media & DR Audit
Backup Audit Checklist
- Review the backup policy documentation.
- Check for any recent updates or changes.
- Ensure all procedures are clearly defined.
- Confirm documentation is accessible to relevant personnel.
- Obtain approvals from necessary stakeholders.
- Identify critical data assets across the organization.
- Review the current backup scope against identified assets.
- Consult with data owners for any omissions.
- Update the backup scope as necessary.
- Document any changes made to the backup scope.
- Review current backup schedules and frequencies.
- Compare against organizational data recovery requirements.
- Identify any discrepancies or areas for improvement.
- Consult with stakeholders for feedback.
- Adjust schedules to better align with needs.
- Inspect storage solutions for compliance with regulations.
- Ensure physical and digital security measures are in place.
- Review access controls to backup storage.
- Document compliance checks and any findings.
- Implement corrective actions if necessary.
- Conduct a functionality test of backup software.
- Verify hardware performance and reliability.
- Check for any updates or patches needed.
- Review vendor support status for tools.
- Document the results of the confirmations.
- Select multiple backups for restoration tests.
- Perform restoration to a test environment.
- Verify the integrity and completeness of restored data.
- Document any issues encountered during testing.
- Schedule regular restoration tests to maintain integrity.
Recovery Audit Checklist
- Identify all critical systems requiring recovery procedures.
- Gather existing documentation related to recovery processes.
- Review procedures for accuracy and completeness.
- Update documentation to reflect current operational practices.
- Obtain stakeholder feedback on recovery procedures.
- Define acceptable downtime for each critical system.
- Establish data loss tolerance levels for each system.
- Document RTOs and RPOs for all critical systems.
- Communicate objectives to relevant stakeholders.
- Regularly review and adjust RTOs and RPOs as needed.
- Schedule periodic recovery plan tests.
- Simulate disaster scenarios relevant to critical systems.
- Document test results and identify areas for improvement.
- Update recovery plans based on test outcomes.
- Involve all key stakeholders in testing.
- List all resources necessary for recovery operations.
- Verify availability of staff with recovery responsibilities.
- Ensure tools and equipment are functional and accessible.
- Conduct a resource inventory audit.
- Address any gaps in resource availability promptly.
- Review the location and format of recovery documentation.
- Ensure documentation is stored in a secure yet accessible manner.
- Update documents to reflect current practices and technologies.
- Communicate changes in documentation to all stakeholders.
- Conduct regular audits to ensure continued accessibility.
- Identify staff members involved in recovery operations.
- Develop training programs tailored to recovery roles.
- Schedule and conduct regular training sessions.
- Evaluate training effectiveness through assessments.
- Provide refresher training as necessary.
Media Audit Checklist
Disaster Recovery (DR) Audit Checklist
- Verify that the DR plan is stored in a secure, central location.
- Ensure all stakeholders have access to the document.
- Check for version control to maintain the most current plan.
- Confirm that the plan is regularly updated and reviewed.
- Examine the latest risk assessment for identified threats.
- Assess the business impact analysis for critical functions.
- Ensure alignment between risk assessment and business priorities.
- Document any changes in risk profiles since the last review.
- Identify key personnel responsible for DR tasks.
- Ensure roles are clearly defined and documented.
- Verify that all team members are aware of their responsibilities.
- Review and update roles as needed based on organizational changes.
- Schedule regular DR drills and exercises.
- Create realistic scenarios for testing response effectiveness.
- Document results and identify areas for improvement.
- Involve all relevant stakeholders in the testing process.
- Review contact lists for all stakeholders and emergency contacts.
- Ensure communication methods are reliable and tested.
- Document protocols for internal and external communication.
- Test the communication plan during DR exercises.
- Collect feedback from participants after each test.
- Analyze outcomes and identify gaps in the DR plan.
- Incorporate lessons learned into future revisions of the plan.
- Share findings with relevant teams to enhance overall preparedness.
Use in Manifestly