Top Third-Party Backup Solutions for Microsoft 365

Use the native Microsoft 365 platform for even a short period of time and you are bound to discover that the limitations are frustrating. In particular, retention policies are a problem. Here are some things that users have noted:

• Limited Recovery Options - If data is lost along the way, there are limited recovery options within the native Microsoft 365 system to help you recover everything you lost.

• Complexity of the System - The last thing that you want to have to worry about while scrambling around after a data loss situation is an overly complicated backup plan. The complexity of the Microsoft 365 backup options leave some concerned about their ability to navigate it properly.

• Limited Scope of Time for Retained Documents - Another issue that some users have with the standard Microsoft 365 backup options is the fact that there is a strict time limit on them. Microsoft 365 simply does not retain files for nearly as long as some might need or hoped for, and that can also be a problem.

Given the limitations that the native Microsoft 365 platform offers, it is hardly a surprise to learn that many seek out alternative third-party options for their backup needs.

Why Use a Third-Party Solution?

Keep in mind the factors mentioned above when thinking about what backup solutions make the most sense for your organization. It is likely the case that the native programs available on the Microsoft 365 platform are not going to be nearly enough to provide you with the confidence that you need to feel that your systems are completely secure.

It is also important to understand where your responsibilities begin and end with it comes to backup and recovery. Knowing that Microsoft operates under a shared responsibility model, below are some compelling reasons to turn to a third-party provider.

• Compliance and Retention - Imagine what it will feel like when you have an auditor poking around your various databases. You are probably not going to enjoy that feeling too much if you don’t keep tabs on your files well enough. A third-party solution is the way to goas your files can be retained for a far longer period than in the native Microsoft 365 platform, and you still have access to those files anytime that you need to for audit reasons.

• Protecting Across Different Services - Third-party providers are excellent at offering you protection for your files across multiple different services whenever you need them. That will help you ensure that your data is safe no matter which system it happens to reside in at any given time.

• Personalization for Your Needs - There is a great level of flexibility with third-party services to provide you with backup protection that specifically address your needs. Those needs may not be standardized, and it is nice to know that you have a partner that will look out for your specific backup requirements no matter what they are.

Key Features to Look for in a Third-Party Provider

If you already know that you are likely going to lean towards using a third-party backup provider, shouldn’t you also know what to look for in that provider? Here are some of the qualities that you will want to see out of any service you choose:

• Automated Daily Backups - There is no reason why you should have to request a daily backup yourself. That is something that should be automated and guaranteed. This automated system means that you won’t have to worry about potentially forgetting about it. It also means that you will retain a significantly higher chance of keeping your data secured every day.

• Fast Recovery Options - It is one of the worst feelings to discover you have lost important and sensitive data. However, it is even worse if you are not able to recover that information rapidly. Your third-party backup security provider should offer fast recovery options for your data to be recovered ASAP.

• Data Independence - Keeping your data safely away from your in-house databases means that you have a way to access it even if your primary systems fail. This is absolutely critical to ensure you can recover your data if the worst-case scenario comes to pass.

These are some of the characteristics that any quality third-party backup security provider will offer you. If you cannot find one that offers these qualities, then you need to move on to another until you discover what you are looking for.

Top Third-Party Microsoft 365 Backup Solutions

Are you looking for some specific names of third-party Microsoft 365 backup providers that you should consider? If so, we have you covered there as well. The following are some names worthy of consideration and why you should do so:

• Veeam - Great at helping organizations that require enterprise-level backup solutions for their data. Veeam is who you want to turn to for broad coverage of your backup needs.

• Dropsuite - Straightforward pricing and easy to understand backup offerings make Dropsuite a top contender for anyone who wants the simplest and most turnkey experience for their backup solution needs.

• Rubrik Microsoft 365 Protection - Automatically discovers new users, sites, teams, and more. This is a great program for those who value automation above everything else.

Those are just some of the multitude of third-party backup solution providers that you might want to look at. Remember, you deserve to have comfort and peace of mind when it comes to your data protection needs, and these are the types of services that can offer that.

Selecting the Right Solution for Your Organization

There are plenty of factors that you must think about when finding the right backup solution for your organization. Some of this will depend directly on the specific needs of your organization and how you intend to address those. Review every provider on this list, and more, and consider how you can implement their solutions into your existing systems.

For more information on how to find the backup solutions that you need and what that might look like for you, contact us today.