Do you need to backup Microsoft 365?

Keeping all your data in the cloud has many benefits. It simplifies working from multiple locations, you can get to your information on different devices and it safe in the cloud away from disaster. Or is it?

Whether you're working natively in the cloud or working locally and syncing to the cloud, online copies only offer a degree of protection. It's great to have the information off your device if your device becomes damaged or needs to be replaced. However, if someone edits or delete you files online this will ripple across all your connected devices.

While Microsoft 365 OneDrive and Teams allows you and your colleagues to upload and share data, this should not be considered a backup. They are often 'live' documents that can be edited and permanently deleted. Versioning allows you to go back to previous document amendments and reinstate changes or deletions, while the recycle bin offers various grace periods before it's gone forever, providing you don't manually empty the recycle bin.

Doesn't Microsoft keep backups?

Not really. It's easy to believe that once your data has been uploaded to Microsoft's cloud, either on Outlook email, Teams or OneDrive, it's safely protected for all time. But if a file is negligently or deliberately deleted, and the loss is not noticed before recycle bins empty, then there is no recovery. If a file is deleted and the recycle bin emptied by the document owner, everyone the file is shared with loses the document too.

Many businesses have a legal requirement to retain data. By backing up your online files, you also protect yourself from wider issues, such as disputes where digital evidence is required.

True backups not sync'd copies

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Strident uses a proven online backup solution for Micosoft 365. We frequently backup all email, Teams, Sharepoint and OneDrive data to a separate, secure UK Microsoft data centre.

These are true backups, not just synchronised copies. All emails and files can be stored and restored for an indefinite period and because it runs online automatically, it requires no manual intervention or a computer to be left on.

We can install our online backup solution without visiting your premises and you can begin to protect your data without having to wait. Microsoft 365 online backup costs just £2 per user per month for email only or £3.50 per user per month to back up the full Microsoft suite including Microsoft Teams.

To find out more, call Chris Joberns on 01473 835 280 to make online backups part of a data security plan.