{
  "slug": "restore-test",
  "term": "Restore test",
  "aliases": [
    "test restore",
    "test restoration"
  ],
  "definition": "A restore test exercises recovery from backup material and checks whether the recovered data or selected system functions meet defined acceptance criteria.",
  "note": "NIST CP-9(2) describes sampled restoration of selected functions. State the backup and functions actually tested, acceptance checks and environment differences; do not present one successful sample as proof about every retained backup.",
  "status": "shipping",
  "supersedes": [],
  "supersededBy": [],
  "firstSeen": null,
  "lastSeen": null,
  "updated": "2026-10-13",
  "advantages": [
    {
      "text": "Exercises selected system functions using recovered backup information.",
      "citationIds": [
        "nist"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    {
      "text": "Evidence is limited to the tested scope and chosen sample.",
      "citationIds": [
        "nist"
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "File verification alone does not establish successful database operation and correct contents.",
      "citationIds": [
        "verify"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "backup-verification",
    "backup-manifest",
    "incremental-backup",
    "air-gap-backup",
    "immutability-storage"
  ],
  "citations": [
    {
      "id": "verify",
      "title": "PostgreSQL 18: pg_verifybackup, checks and exclusions",
      "url": "https://www.postgresql.org/docs/18/app-pgverifybackup.html",
      "accessed": "2026-10-13"
    },
    {
      "id": "nist",
      "title": "NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: CP-9(1), CP-9(2) and CP-10",
      "url": "https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-53r5.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-10-13"
    },
    {
      "id": "hesela-backup-evidence",
      "title": "Hesela: Backup verification is not a restore test",
      "url": "https://hesela.com/analyses/backup-verification-is-not-a-restore-test/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-13"
    }
  ]
}