Are you backing up your Microsoft 365 Data?

Contrary to widespread belief, Microsoft DOES NOT BACKUP YOUR DATA stored in Microsoft 365 systems. This applies to your OneDrive and SharePoint data, Exchange emails, and Teams.

Whilst Microsoft's responsibility is to provide the infrastructure and ensure uptime and access to this data, the commitment to back up the data is on you. Microsoft also states this in their services agreement under section 6. Service Availability – paragraphs a and b – Services Agreement

Retention Policy And Recycle Bin.

Microsoft does have some basic recovery features in Microsoft 365. SharePoint, for example, has a Recycle Bin for deleted data. However, they are only kept in this Recycle Bin for a brief period, such as 30 days. Beyond this, the data is removed permanently. The same applies to Exchange email. Therefore, if you were looking to restore a folder beyond 30 days, it would be permanently deleted.

Microsoft is simply the Data processor. You, the Business, are the Data Controllers/Owners.

What risks do you face when not backing up?

There are a multitude of data security risks, such as rogue admins abusing access, accidental deletion, malicious insiders, ransomware, rogue apps, and hackers. Microsoft itself could suffer a significant breach, which could result in loss of your data.

While human error is the number one cause of data loss, one report found that 28% of data breaches involve malware. Cyber threats to data are increasing, and when data is compromised during a cyber-attack, it can be challenging to recover.

To discuss options for backing up your cloud Data stored in Microsoft or Google, please get in touch with us.