Last week’s Windows disruption caused by a CrowdStrike software update error serves as a stark reminder that having a solid data recovery plan in place is crucial for all business owners. Many small to mid-size businesses rely on subscription cloud-based CRMs and applications to streamline IT management. However, it’s common to see these companies overlook the need to safeguard their Office 365 data.
Microsoft emphasizes that each customer is responsible for securing a backup solution for all data stored within the application. It’s essential to back up Office 365 data to be prepared for accidental deletions, ransomware attacks, or any other data loss incidents.
Here are some recommendations for backing up Office 365:
Use Microsoft 365’s Built-in Features
Retention Policies: Set up retention policies to keep deleted items for a specified period. While this is not a traditional backup, it can help recover recently deleted items.
Litigation Hold: Place user mailboxes and OneDrive accounts on litigation hold to preserve data even if users delete it.
Third-Party Backup Solutions
Dedicated Backup Services: Consider using third-party private cloud backup solutions specifically designed for Office 365.
These services offer comprehensive backup capabilities including:
- Backup and recovery of Exchange Online mailboxes
- Backup of SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business data
- Granular recovery options
- Security features like encryption and compliance with data regulations
Best Practices for Choosing a Private Cloud Backup Solution
Ease of Use: Look for solutions that are easy to deploy and manage.
Security: Ensure the solution provides encryption both in transit and at rest.
Compliance: Verify that the solution complies with industry regulations relevant to your organization.
Retention Policies: Check if the solution allows customization of retention periods and policies.
Support and Reliability: Choose a provider with good customer support and a reliable service level agreement (SLA).
Financial: Unlike public cloud providers – Azure, AWS or GoogleCloud.
By combining Microsoft’s built-in features with a tailored third-party cloud backup solution for Office 365, you can guarantee robust protection and recovery options for your organization’s critical data. Let My Resource Partners’ technology advisors expedite the process of finding the right third-party cloud backup solution for Office 365. We’ll assess your environment and Office 365 usage before connecting you with providers that align with your needs and budget.
