Microsoft 365 Cloud Backup: Key Benefits

 

Today, with more people working remotely than ever before, the importance of offering security and protection for data with Microsoft 365 has never been more crucial for managed service providers (MSPs) looking to protect their customers, both large and small.

Microsoft's shared-responsibility model places emphasis on physical security in its data centers as well as the availability of data that is active. It also provides security and authentication through its cloud services. Microsoft does not control the data, though they accept responsibility for the infrastructure. Users ' organizations as well as their MSP are accountable for the storage and recovery of their information. Backup of Microsoft 365 data to the cloud is the best method to ensure that they are in compliance with that responsibility.

Another is in the size of the file. The collaboration and file sharing services offered by Office 365 cloud backup come with a limit of 2GB for file sizes. While this is not an issue for some businesses. Others tend to collaborate on larger file dimensions. Consider this aspect if you're the type of person who utilizes larger files.

We've previously discussed the importance of encryption Office 365 cloud backup and Microsoft 365 disaster recovery before and it's not surprising that a lot of what was said back and is still the case today. Utilizing your own third-party backup solution for Microsoft 365, like SolarWinds Backup, continues to be the best method of maintaining control over the customers' Microsoft 365 data.

Here are nine key benefits cloud backups offer MSPs to understand the reasons they should be performing regular Microsoft 365 cloud backups:

MSP Benefits of Microsoft 365 Cloud Backup

Backups Provide Protection Against Accidental Data Deletion

Human error is possible, despite all the technological advances. Even if the errors are minor, they can cause the unintentional deletion of crucial data. If a deletion happens due to an end-user who accidentally clicks "delete" instead of "save," or because of a clumsy PowerShell command MSPs need to be in a position to prevent these accidental deletions from becoming permanent and impacting their customers.

Unfortunately, Microsoft 365 doesn't always offer the capabilities for data retention that MSPs need. The default recycling bin retention period for MS365 is 14 days. While an administrator could change that period to 30 days instead of 14, it still does not leave enough time for determining that something crucial was accidentally deleted. If you don't have an Office 365 cloud backup procedure implemented, that data will be completely unrecoverable once those 30 days are up.

 

Backups are a great way to fill in retention gaps

The retention of email information from an employee who leaves the company could be expensive. It is important that you have access to this data for the long-term. It's impossible to know when you'll require it. However, Microsoft only retains email account information for a limited period of time following the account has been deactivated.

A third-party backup service is the best option to ensure that email is accessible and available to employees who have left the company. A backup solution for Microsoft 365 can make sure that account data remains searchable, recoverable, and available long after an employee is gone.

Backups offer protection from the Potential Risks of Internal Threats

We tend to believe that people are good, especially our employees--but not everyone is always worthy of the trust we place in them. Even if human errors are completely eliminated, it's possible that dishonest, angry employees might deliberately leak sensitive information.

If someone secretly erases sensitive data while waiting for the recycling bin to finish the clock, you could be in deep trouble with no way to retrieve important information that's been permanently deleted. Microsoft 365 can't determine whether a deletion was accidental, intentional or malicious. There is no recourse after the recycle bin is empty. The only method to secure your data in the face of malicious internal activity is to use a third-party backup solution.

Backups Provide Protection From Losses Caused By External Threats

The other side of that coin is that we are receiving more information about malware, hacks, and virus attacks on a daily basis. The number of attacks is increasing and are exacerbated by the growing dependence of remote workers. In the case of small and medium-sized enterprises over the last couple of years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of cyber-attacks, with nearly two-thirds of all SMBs having experienced some type of cyber-attack.

In order to access the many benefits that come with having Office 365 cloud backup We recommend making use of a robust security solution for data protection such as N-able Backup. This tool was created to help MSPs protect customer data effectively--all while saving time and money.