Testing that backup data is complete, intact, and can actually be restored successfully.
Backup verification confirms that backup data is complete, uncorrupted, and recoverable. Verification ranges from basic integrity checks (data hasn't been corrupted) to full restore testing (actually recovering systems to confirm everything works). Many backup failures are discovered only during recovery attempts. Regular verification—ideally automated—ensures backups will work when needed.
Why It Matters
The DSC Perspective:
Untested backups are assumptions, not protection. Verify backups regularly and perform periodic recovery tests. Discovering backup problems during a real incident is catastrophic.