Verifying backups with Runbooks

In a detailed exploration of backup procedures, the text underscores the importance of not only creating and storing data backups but also verifying them through a robust, automated process. It highlights common oversights in backup strategies, particularly the lack of a verification process to ensure that the right data in the correct format is being backed up. The suggested approach involves treating backups as versioned artifacts, similar to software deployments, and automating the restoration process in a disposable environment using tools like Docker. This method allows DevOps teams to routinely rehearse backup restorations, ensuring that recovery processes are well-practiced and reliable, thus minimizing uncertainties during actual data loss scenarios. The text also presents a practical runbook example that demonstrates how to generate, store, and verify database backups using automation tools, thereby integrating backup verification into the regular backup lifecycle.