ERP: backups that can actually be restored.
A scenario for companies whose inventory, invoicing and operations depend on a central database.
Business context
ERP downtime can stop orders, inventory or invoicing. A backup marked successful does not prove the database, files and encryption keys can be restored together.
Risks we assess
Backups on the same server, credentials that can delete every backup, insufficient retention, inconsistent files and database state, and licensing or integration dependencies missing from recovery procedures.
Intervention plan
Review recovery scope and sequence. Separate backup locations and permissions where the environment permits. Restore a copy into an isolated environment, check integrity and walk through critical operations with the customer. Document steps and dependencies that constrain recovery.
Deliverables
Data and dependency inventory; proposed retention policy; restoration report; recovery procedure; rehearsal schedule and approval owners.
How we validate
The test must produce a usable ERP with operations verified by designated users. Recovery time and data age are measured against agreed objectives. Outcomes depend on existing backups; an assessment cannot guarantee recovery of data that was never backed up.