You’ve made a smart move by choosing Microsoft 365 for your business productivity needs. But have you considered whether your M365 data is really safe? The reality might not be as comforting as you’d hope.
While Microsoft does a great job of managing the M365 infrastructure and keeping things running smoothly, when it comes to protecting your data, the responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders. According to Microsoft’s services agreement, they don’t claim ownership of your content. It’s your content, and you’re the one responsible for keeping it safe.
As it states in the Microsoft Services Agreement, Section 6b, “We strive to keep the services up and running; however, all online services suffer occasional disruptions and outages, and Microsoft is not liable for any disruption or loss you may suffer as a result. In the event of an outage, you may not be able to retrieve your content or data that you’ve stored. We recommend that you regularly backup your content and data that you store on the services or store using third-party apps and services.”
That’s why backing up your data isn’t just a good idea – it’s absolutely crucial. Let’s delve into why this isn’t something you can afford to overlook.
1. Accidental Deletion: Mistakes happen, and when they involve critical data, the consequences can be dire. Accidental deletions can lead to permanent data loss if not backed up properly.
2. Retention Policy Gaps and Confusion: Navigating through retention policies can be complex, and gaps in understanding or misconfigurations could result in unintended data loss.
3. Internal Security Threats: Insider threats pose a significant risk to your data. Whether it’s intentional or unintentional, employees can compromise data integrity, emphasising the need for robust backup measures.
4. External Security Threats: Cyberattacks are on the rise, with a staggering 80% targeting office applications like M365. Malicious actors exploit vulnerabilities through email phishing and other tactics, making data backup a crucial defence mechanism.
5. Legal and Compliance Requirements: Regulatory compliance mandates necessitate data retention and protection. Failure to comply can result in severe penalties, making data backup indispensable for regulatory adherence.
6. Managing Hybrid Email Deployments and Migrations: Transitioning to M365 or managing hybrid email deployments introduces complexities that can increase the risk of data loss without proper backup mechanisms in place.
7. Teams Data Structure: Microsoft Teams’ intricate data structure requires specialised backup strategies to ensure comprehensive protection of chat messages, files, and other collaborative content.
What is the solution?
Despite these critical reasons, many organisations neglect data backup, leaving themselves vulnerable to data loss or corruption. According to a recent ESG study, a staggering 59% of organisations do nothing to protect their application data despite 53% experiencing SaaS data loss or corruption.
Mitigating these risks requires proactive measures. Leveraging a Cloud-to-Cloud backup solution is a prudent choice. Such solutions offer:
- Comprehensive Protection: Safeguard emails, documents, messages, contacts, and calendars from loss or corruption.
- Rapid Recovery: With just one click, restore your data swiftly, minimising downtime and productivity loss.
- Enhanced Security: Encrypt and securely store your data in the cloud, ensuring its integrity and confidentiality.
- Scalability: Scale your backup solution effortlessly to accommodate growing needs, with new user data backed up in seconds.
What are my options?
Microsoft’s recent launch of the M365 Backup service aims to address the growing need for data protection within the Microsoft 365 environment. While this offering provides a baseline level of backup functionality, businesses may find themselves seeking a more comprehensive and cost-effective solution.
At Adam Continuity, we recognise the significance of safeguarding data assets and offer an alternative through our CiCloud solution powered by Veeam technology. Our Veeam-based service not only delivers enhanced functionality but also does so at a lower cost, ensuring that your M365 data remains secure, accessible, and resilient against potential threats.
Contact us today to protect your M365 data from potential threats and ensure its integrity and availability, now and in the future. Let’s protect what matters most – your data.