A successful backup job does not prove a successful recovery. Restoring a service requires data, credentials, infrastructure, and a sequence of decisions. A rehearsal makes those dependencies visible.
Restore something meaningful
Pick a service with a clear owner and a realistic recovery objective. Rebuild it in an isolated environment, check that its data is usable, and measure the time spent on each step.
Protect the recovery path
Consider how production identity compromise could affect access to backup copies. Document separate recovery access and test it without depending on the system being recovered.
Keep the record short
Capture what worked, what failed, and who owns the next improvement. Rehearse again after material changes.
Original sample editorial content for the preview edition.