When businesses move to Microsoft 365, there’s often a sense of security in knowing your emails, OneDrive files, and Teams data are all “in the cloud.” But here’s the reality: Microsoft 365 is not a backup solution.
Wait—what?
Yes, Microsoft does provide data availability, basic versioning, and short-term recovery options… but these features are not a substitute for a proper backup strategy.
Let’s break it down.
🔍 What Does Microsoft Actually Offer?
Microsoft 365 includes limited retention policies. For example:
Deleted emails are only recoverable for 30 days (unless manually adjusted).
OneDrive/SharePoint deleted files can be restored from the recycle bin—for up to 93 days, max.
Teams messages? They follow Exchange/SharePoint policies unless compliance retention is specifically configured.
While these features are handy for accidental deletions or quick restores, they are not designed to protect your business from longer-term risks like:
Ransomware that encrypts or deletes files over time
Malicious deletion by disgruntled employees
Departing staff where accounts are deleted without archive
Audit requirements needing multi-year retention
Business continuity disasters
💡 So Why Doesn’t Microsoft Just Back It All Up?
Simple: Microsoft operates on a shared responsibility model.
That means they manage the platform—keeping it online, available, and secure against infrastructure failures. But you, the customer, are responsible for your own data.
Here’s Microsoft’s own wording:
“With Microsoft 365, it’s your data. You own it. You control it.”
(Microsoft Services Agreement)
In other words, they give you the tools, but backing up that data for long-term protection is your job.
🔒 Why You Need a Third-Party Backup Solution
This is where a trusted MSP (Managed Service Provider) like Managed IT Support comes in. We implement true backup solutions that give you what Microsoft doesn’t:
✅ Daily or hourly backups
✅ Retention for 1 year or longer (customisable)
✅ Ransomware protection and rollback
✅ Granular restores (emails, files, mailboxes, even individual Teams chats)
✅ Legal hold, compliance, and off-site storage options
Tools like Axcient 365 or Acronis Cyber Protect are purpose-built to plug the holes left by Microsoft’s default offerings—and when managed by professionals, they provide an enterprise-grade layer of protection, even for small businesses.
👨💼 Why Work with an MSP for Your Backups?
Sure, you could buy a backup product yourself, but it’s like owning a fire extinguisher and never learning how to use it. An MSP ensures:
Automated setup with no headaches
Regular monitoring and alerts
Quick recovery when disaster strikes
Support with compliance (e.g., GDPR, ISO27001)
Peace of mind knowing someone is watching over your data—every day
🚨 Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Your Microsoft 365 data is critical to your business—but Microsoft won’t keep it safe forever. One rogue deletion, one missed setting, or one unexpected outage can lead to permanent data loss.
Let us help. At Managed IT Support, we’ll set you up with worry-free Microsoft 365 backup using industry-leading tools like Axcient or Acronis, with retention to match your needs and protection you can count on.
Get in touch today and safeguard your digital world—before the 30-day clock runs out.
