An IBM backup checklist is useful only if it exposes risk clearly. This checklist is built for IBM i, AS400, iSeries, and Power Systems environments where the business needs proof of recoverability, not just proof that jobs completed. Use it during quarterly reviews, before audits, before a disaster recovery exercise, or before a Power11 upgrade project.

Coverage checklist

  • Confirm all production libraries are included
  • Confirm IFS paths are included
  • Confirm user profiles and security data are included
  • Confirm configuration, device descriptions, and system values are included
  • Confirm interface files, scheduler settings, and middleware dependencies are documented

Recovery objective checklist

  • Define RPO for each critical workload
  • Define RTO for each critical workload
  • Confirm the current backup design can realistically meet those targets
  • Confirm business stakeholders have approved the targets

Media and storage checklist

  • Identify every backup destination in use
  • Confirm offsite copies exist
  • Confirm at least one isolated or immutable recovery path exists
  • Review tape rotation, cloud retention, and encryption controls
  • Verify backup storage capacity and media health

Restore testing checklist

  • Test restore of one critical application stack
  • Test IFS recovery
  • Test security data recovery
  • Test offsite copy access
  • Measure actual recovery time
  • Record findings and corrective actions

If you do only one thing

Run a documented restore test from the same offsite or isolated copy you would depend on in a real event.

Ransomware and DR alignment checklist

  • Confirm backup admin credentials are protected
  • Confirm production and backup domains are appropriately separated
  • Confirm offline or immutable copies exist
  • Confirm recovery runbooks include cyber incident decision points
  • Confirm backup design aligns with DR runbooks and business priorities

Use the checklist during change

Review backup after IBM i version changes, storage or network changes, new integrations, modernization work, and before any Power11 migration. Backup design that worked two years ago may not fit the current workload.

FAQ

How often should an IBM backup checklist be reviewed?

Quarterly is a practical baseline, with extra review after major infrastructure, application, or security changes.

What is usually missing from IBM i backup reviews?

IFS coverage, tested offsite recovery, security data restoration, and clear ownership are common gaps.

Should this checklist be used before a Power11 upgrade?

Yes. Infrastructure change is the right time to confirm the backup design still fits the new environment.

Is a successful backup job enough?

No. It only proves the job completed. It does not prove the environment can be restored correctly and on time.

Related backup articles

Need help working through the checklist?

If the team wants a practical review instead of another generic audit list, the next step is to compare the current environment against real recovery expectations.