Database Administrator how-to

How to Test a Database Restore

A backup is only good if you can restore it.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

A backup is only good if you can restore it. In short: choose; restore; check, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Choose a recent backup.

  2. Restore it to a test server.

  3. Check database integrity.

  4. Verify row counts and key data.

  5. Record the time the restore took.

  6. Document results and fix any issues.

Safety reminders for database administrators

  • Follow least privilege and protect credentials
  • Use change control for production changes
  • Encrypt sensitive data
  • Keep tested backups and recovery plans

Database · SQL · Index · Backup · Restore · RPO: see the full database administrator glossary.

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