Backup and Restore Testing Guide

Backup scope, restore tests, RTO/RPO, and evidence retention for CC7.5.

backup restore testing procedure template preview (SOC-015)
.docx SOC-015

Backup and Restore Testing Procedure

Backup scope, restore tests, RTO/RPO, and evidence retention for CC7.5.

Get SOC 2 Phase 2 Implementation Kit
How to Fill Out This Backup and Restore Testing Procedure

Backup restore testing procedure template — Document actual backup tools and last successful restore test date. Store test artifacts with the signed procedure.

Recommended Owner: Platform Engineering | Security reviews scope

What this file is for

Document purpose

Backup and restore testing procedure (CC7.5).

In your program: Restore test evidence is as important as backup config.

Before you start

Getting Started

  • Enable Editing in Word; replace `[` placeholders and delete gray examples.
  • Cross-check names and vendors with SOC-002, SOC-004, and Phase 1 COR policies.

Document tour

Fill out the file section by section

Work through the sections below in order. Each block matches a heading or tab in the downloaded SOC-015 file.

1. Purpose
  • Recover from ransomware and outages — CC7.5 evidence.
  • After editing 1. Purpose, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.
2. Recovery Objectives
  • State RTO/RPO targets you can actually meet.
  • After editing 2. Recovery Objectives, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.
3. Backup Inventory & Configuration
  • Every critical system: frequency, encryption, retention, location.
  • After editing 3. Backup Inventory & Configuration, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.
4. Backup Requirements
  • Automated backups, access controls, monitoring failed jobs.
  • After editing 4. Backup Requirements, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.
5. Restore Test Schedule
  • Quarterly minimum for critical systems — calendar it.
  • After editing 5. Restore Test Schedule, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.
6. Restore Test Procedure
  • Step-by-step restore — same steps auditors may ask you to demonstrate.
  • After editing 6. Restore Test Procedure, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.
7. Restore Test Log
  • Record date, system, result, approver — retain screenshots/logs.
  • After editing 7. Restore Test Log, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.
8. Failure Response
  • If test fails, incident ticket and remediation deadline.
  • After editing 8. Failure Response, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.

9. Related Documents

  • SOC-013 if failure becomes incident; COR-014 for missed tests.
  • After editing 9. Related Documents, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.

10. SOC 2 Mapping

  • CC7.5 — align with SOC-015 backup configs in infra.
  • After editing 10. SOC 2 Mapping, search for `[` placeholders and gray sample names — auditors flag incomplete templates.

Quality check

Before You Finalize

  • Last successful restore test date is real and documented.

Evidence

Where to Store It

  • Store the completed file in your compliance evidence folder (signed PDF for policies).
  • Register the document in COR-013 with version, owner, and next review date.
  • Link the file from your evidence index or SOC-005 project plan when you use Phase 3 trackers.

Next Steps

After customizing Backup and Restore Testing Procedure:

  1. 1Complete the file: Finish every section or tab in SOC-015.
  2. 2Register: Add version and owner to COR-013.
  3. 3Operationalize: Train owners listed in the document.
  4. 4Evidence: Keep exports auditors can sample during fieldwork.
Get SOC 2 Phase 2 Implementation Kit See what’s included