Which of the following practices is essential for effective backup strategies?

Regularly testing backups to ensure data can be restored is a crucial practice for effective backup strategies because it verifies the integrity and functionality of the backup data. This testing process ensures that, in the event of data loss or corruption, the restoration procedures are reliable, and the data retrieved is accurate and complete. Without this practice, an organization could face significant risks, as they might assume their backups are usable when, in fact, they may be corrupted or incomplete.

In addition, regular testing exposes any issues in the backup process itself, allowing for timely adjustments or updates to be made to the backup strategy. This proactive approach contributes to a robust disaster recovery plan, ensuring business continuity in critical situations.