Short answer
At least quarterly is a good benchmark. FirstNet recommends regular restore tests to prove recoverability, and if you cannot show recent restore tests and audit evidence when asked, that is usually the sign to bring in FirstNet managed backup operations.
In detail
A backup job that reports success does not prove you can recover. Restore tests show that data is intact, that people know the process, and how long recovery actually takes.
A practical testing approach:
- Test the scenarios you worry about most: a single item, a full user, a full site or a bulk event
- Test at least quarterly, and again after major changes
- Record results as evidence for auditors and management
- Compare restore times with what the business expects, and adjust plans
- Assign a named owner, including for failures that happen after hours
FirstNet's Managed Backup Service adds monitoring, remediation, reporting and restore support for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and endpoint backup. For servers, fully managed Backup as a Service includes periodic test restores, and Managed DR includes quarterly test restores from replicas by default. Typical Microsoft 365 restore times range from minutes for a single item to days for a bulk event.
Source: FirstNet Data Protection & Ransomware Resilience service page →
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