Is Your IT Provider Doing Microsoft 365 Backups?
Numerous Microsoft 365 users hold the belief that Microsoft bears the responsibility for safeguarding their data, including documents, emails, files and more. It is also assumed that additional backups are unnecessary. That’s where many businesses and IT leaders are wrong. It’s a good thing you have an IT provider like us to steer you in the right direction.
Although Microsoft does have built-in redundancies, there exists a misconception regarding the extent of protection provided by the company and the responsibilities that lie with the customers. If it’s end-user support, security and infrastructure expertise you’re looking for, it’s going to take a little more than an Office 365 backup to keep your office humming.
To help you gain a better understanding of what’s offered vs. what is not offered, let’s take a closer look at Microsoft 365 and what most users and administrators have experienced with Microsoft’s services:
- Redundant data centers: Microsoft employs redundant data centers to ensure reliability and minimize downtime
- Versioning history: Office 365 retains a history of file versions, allowing users to access and restore previous iterations
- Policies, classification and labels: Users can implement various policies, classifications and labeling mechanisms to manage their data effectively
- Recycling bin: A recycling bin feature is available to restore deleted files
- Litigation hold: Office 365 offers litigation hold capabilities, which are useful in legal scenarios
- And more
While these features are valuable, many administrators find them either too complex to configure, enable and maintain over time. Many have also encountered difficulties when attempting to recover data using these tools. Additional concerns arise in the following situations:
- Accidental deletion. Users may unintentionally delete important files
- Inadequate recycling bin. The recycling bin may not contain the necessary file for recovery
- Accidental email deletion. Emails may be mistakenly deleted
- Mailbox restoration. Restoration or recovery of mailbox data may be required
- Configuration issues. Problems may arise due to misconfigurations in retention policies or litigation holds
- Swift recovery. Users may need to quickly recover specific items
Microsoft’s documentation on shared responsibility in the cloud clarifies the company’s standpoint: It’s the responsibility of the customer for information and data in all cloud scenarios. Therefore, the onus falls directly on the customer to ensure the protection of their data.
But not to worry, that’s where your IT provider swoops in to save the day with managed IT and cloud-based services.
Did Somebody Call an IT Provider for Backup?
Partnering with the right cloud managed service provider gives your organization a competitive edge. At SkyTerra, our clients count on us for reliable and redundant data backup, rapid and comprehensive security and rock-solid disaster recovery.
We also understand that having your data off-site can feel scary: We protect it with proven cybersecurity practices. As an MSP and Microsoft Tier 1 cloud solution provider, we are here to help. If you have any questions on Microsoft Office 365 backup services or alternative third-party solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or book a meeting with one of our highly experienced technology consultants.
