Step 6 — Verify Full System Functionality & Implement Preventive Measures

After applying the fix, ensure the environment is truly healthy. Verification protects against hidden regressions, and preventive work reduces the chance of seeing the same problem again.

Prove the Fix

1. Test comprehensively. Validate connectivity, application performance, and any dependent services. Run through the success criteria defined in Step 4.
2. Confirm with the user. Have the requester or affected stakeholders reproduce their workflow and acknowledge resolution.
3. Check adjacent systems. Inspect logs, dashboards, and alerts to ensure no collateral issues were introduced.

Implement Preventive Measures

• Patch and update. Apply firmware or software updates that address the root cause.
• Harden configurations. Adjust ACLs, enable redundancy, or tune DHCP leases to prevent reoccurrence.
• Improve monitoring. Add alerts, logging, or dashboards that will highlight early warning signs next time.
• Document safeguards. Update runbooks or knowledge base articles with new steps that should be performed proactively.

Communicate Outcomes

• Share the results. Notify stakeholders that services are restored and outline any lingering risks.
• Schedule follow-up actions. Plan additional preventive projects if the permanent fix requires future maintenance windows.

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✅ Exam Must-Knows

• Step 6 is about validation plus prevention.
• Always gain user confirmation that the system works as expected.
• Preventive measures include patching, configuration hardening, improved monitoring, and added redundancy.

⚡ Memory Hook: Step 6 = Prove it works, then prevent it from breaking again.