Benefits of Implementing Cloud Backup Solutions for Microsoft 365

The security community was shocked and scared to find out that there were previously undisclosed vulnerabilities in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem that only came to light in early 2025. Namely, a major vulnerability to the Microsoft 365 Copilot system known as EchoLeak has captured headlines and concerned many experts. By using what appears to be an everyday e-mail, hackers can bypass many of the pre-installed filters already available on the Microsoft 365 platform and help themselves to virtually any data that they might want to get their hands on.

This development is clearly worrisome and yet another indication that Microsoft’s existing native security tools are not enough by themselves to keep data safe. As such, many are quickly moving towards the implementation of cloud backup solutions for Microsoft 365 tools.

The Shared Responsibility Model

In the face of mounting threats, one of the concepts that has bubbled to the surface is the idea that a shared responsibility model is by far the best way to handle cybersecurity in today’s world is to work hand-in-hand with platform developers to try to plug as many leaks as possible. In other words, it is not exclusively the responsibility of Microsoft to provide complete protection and security for your data just because you happen to host it on their platform.

Let’s take a look at what is Microsoft’s responsibility, and what falls into the hands of the organizations that are storing the data:

Microsoft’s Responsibilities

• Application Security - Microsoft is tasked with providing at least some level of security around the applications that it provides to the world. This includes everyday applications used by many, including SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and more.

• Physical Infrastructure - Microsoft is also responsible for maintaining the security around its physical infrastructure, such as the hardware and data centers that it uses to support the products that it offers.

User Responsibilities

• Basic Data Protection Measures - Users must be responsible for using basic data protection measures, such as avoiding giving out their passwords and backing up all important files.

• Security Settings - It is also the responsibility of the user to configure their security settings in such a way that they are capable of keeping their documents and information safe and secure. Those settings may require updates and changes from time to time, and the user must stay on top of those updates.

These are just some of the things that each side is responsible for, but they give you an idea of the shared responsibility between both parties to ensure that data security is constantly maintained. Knowing this, it becomes increasingly more apparent that getting cloud backup solutions for Microsoft 365 products is the way to go.

Top Benefits of Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365

What are some of the key benefits that one can point to when considering cloud backup for Microsoft 365? We have compiled a list of the most compelling benefits of this option:

1. Protection Against Accidental Deletion – We are all prone to human error, and accidentally deleting a file can feel devastating. Fortunately, with cloud backup, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your file is not truly lost forever. Instead, you can always recover it via the cloud backup program that you have installed.

2. Ensures Compliance with Data Retention Regulations – Depending on the line of work that you are in, it is possible that there will be some fairly strict data retention regulations that you must abide by. That is important to be mindful of as well because you certainly want to stay within the lines as far as meeting the requirements of those regulations. Cloud backup can help make that happen.

3. Scalable for Long-Term Data Retention – Maintaining records for a long time used to be quite the burden. Companies would have to figure out ways to maintain documents in a physical format or take up virtual space within their databases. Neither option was ideal for them. However, cloud backup is easily scalable to meet your needs for long-term data retention.

4. Business Can Continue During Outages – A temporary technology glitch or outage is quite common in today’s day and age. Luckily, this doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Businesses with cloud backup services for Microsoft 365 can continue to operate mostly as normal because all of their essential files and documents are still accessible to them.

There are plenty of additional benefits that one can gain from using cloud backup solutions for Microsoft 365. However, these are the top benefits that are mentioned time and time again by those who have already implemented these solutions.

Choosing the Right Backup Solution

Selecting the right backup solution for your specific Microsoft 365 needs means that you have put in the necessary legwork to determine which solution is best for your specific needs. Here are some things that you might want to add to your “to-do” list before finalizing your selection of a cloud backup solution for Microsoft 365:

• Check Out the Backup Capabilities – Every backup solution will claim that it is the best at protecting and securing a copy of your data, but you need to do your own homework on each to determine how true that really is. This means checking out things such as the retention policies, application support, and granularity of the backup solution that you are considering.

• Examine the Ease of Integration Features – Think about how easy or difficult it is likely to be to integrate a new backup cloud solution into your existing framework. You clearly want something that will easily fit in with the infrastructure that you have already established, but you need to be aware that not every program works quite so easily. Be prepared to spend some time examining the integration capabilities of your choice.

Consider these factors and any others that you feel are relevant to your day-to-day usage of such programs. You need to be deliberate when selecting the cloud backup program that you will ultimately use, and taking a few commonsense steps ahead of time can help you obtain what you truly want.

Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Data Today

It is a tough pill to swallow, but the cybercriminals out there are never going to go away. They will continue to try to find ways to get at your data and information. The best that you can do is take proactive steps to try to prevent them from invading your systems.

At Agile IT, we have already done loads of research on various backup solutions that ensure business continuity, meet compliance requirements, and provide the right balance of security, scalability, and cost-efficiency for organizations of all sizes. If you want to start to make those moves today, contact us for more details about how to get started. The sooner that you do, the sooner you can have your systems up and running to protect your most treasured assets.