Why You Need Additional Backups for Microsoft 365:

Common SaaS Data Backup Misconceptions

Microsoft advises using a third-party backup solution to protect against deletion, app outages, human error, ransomware attacks, and complications from inactive licenses. 1-in-3 companies reported losing data stored in cloud-based applications and 60% of small firms that experience a major data loss incident close within six months. Why are the figures so high? Many businesses operate under false assumptions when it comes to SaaS platforms.

Here are some of the most common:

• File Sync is a Replacement for Backup

  • Though Microsoft OneDrive creates a second copy of files and folders, they should not be used as a replacement for a backup. File syncing services fall short of true SaaS backup solutions because:
    • If a file is deleted, all older versions are deleted as well
    • Large restores are time-consuming and a largely manual process
    • Backup and recovery is left in the hands of your company’s end-users

• SaaS Applications are Always Available

  • Unfortunately, outages do occur. When businesses can’t access important business data, revenue and productivity are negatively impacted. Having independent backups will ensure that you will still have access to essential files when an outage occurs.

• Microsoft IS Responsible for Your Backup

  • SaaS providers don’t take responsibility for restoring data if you lose it. Microsoft calls this the Shared Responsibility Model for data protection, which is why Microsoft recommends a third-party SaaS backup in its user agreement.

How Network Doctor Covers Your Microsoft 365 Data

Loss of data and time are the two major issues when recovering Microsoft content. If an employee accidentally deletes a critical document, Microsoft will not be able to recover it. Even though the files are within the retention period, getting them back can be costly and more time-consuming than you may think. An independent backup is required to give you the ease of mind that your data is constantly being backed up. Network Doctor backup solution covers:

• OneDrive – All files and folders with file structure intact
• Contacts – All contacts (excluding photos)
• Calendar – Events, attachments, and any calendars owned by users
• Mail – All emails, attachments, notes, and folder structure
• Microsoft Teams – Files, conversations, and calendar meetings in the Microsoft Teams public channels
• SharePoint –
  • Folder structure
  • Document libraries and sets
  • Primary, custom, group, and team site collections
  • Custom generic site lists, site assets, templates, and pages

If you experience a ransomware attack within your business and you don’t have a backup solution, you may not be able to recover your content. This could lead to losing valuable business data, but also a large sum of money to cyber criminals with no guarantee that they will give you back your data.

Though Microsoft 365 makes collaboration easier, protection and management are still a major challenge. Recovering important files is extremely costly and can often take much more time than your business can afford. Whether you’re losing time or data, the impact will still be significant. Having a secure solution in place can help prevent this. Having an additional backup solution can help protect your business and all of its data. If you want to know more on how it will benefit your business go contact us or sign up for a free consultation.

The post Is Your Internal IT Team Backing Up Your Microsoft 365 Data? appeared first on Network Doctor.

The top five mistakes organizations make with their Business Continuity Plans involve a lack of employee education about implementing them.

How? Read on.

1. Not Testing Your Business Continuity Plans

The only way to ensure your Business Continuity Plans will succeed is to test it prior to needing it. Your employees’ actions are what will make the BCP work, and their cooperation is what minimizes your loss of productivity during a disaster and unplanned downtime.

Plan tests in advance, and make sure your employees understand:

• What do they say to clients while connections are down?
• Where will your employees work if they can’t work in the office?
• Who is their point of contact during a disaster?
• What are their roles and responsibilities during the crisis?

Business Continuity Plans Error #1: Not explaining the plan to the employees, and not testing their preparedness in advance.

2. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Good Business Continuity Plans include every aspect of recovering from a disaster, including planning for your employees during the crisis. Depending on the nature of the disaster, you may need to consider medical support and monetary aid for your employees in addition to business recovery factors.

Contact your local medical providers and clarify what kind of medical aid would be provided, whom to contact, and what you need to do to ensure your employees receive medical attention if it’s needed following a disaster. You may also need to put away some “rainy day funds” to help your employees recover from the disaster.

Your employees’ perception of your organization’s ability to provide for them will go a long way towards making sure you have employee buy-in of your BCP.

Business Continuity Plans Error #2: Not thinking logistically when it comes to employee care following a natural disaster.

3. Not Enough Physical Planning

What would you do if a fire broke out in your offices? Do you have evacuation routes clearly marked, and do your employees know where they are? What plans have you made for communications during a disaster? Do you have emergency communication plans in place?

When you were in school, fire drills were a part of life. Planning and testing your “escape routes” are no less important now than it was then. Discuss emergency plans that include evacuation routes and streamlined emergency communications to make sure your employees are prepared and can calmly implement your disaster strategies if necessary.

Business Continuity Plans Error #3: Not planning your natural disaster survival strategies or routinely testing them.

4. Lack of Communication

Being reactive instead of proactive is a mistake, no matter what the situation. Your employees need to trust that you will keep the lines of communication open, providing them with the information they need to know in real-time during a disaster.

Create emergency channels or a toll-free hotline so employees can stay connected and updated. Encourage employees to stay connected with management and each other during the crisis so employees have the information they need when they need it. Make sure your employees have contact information in advance to keep them connected and informed in the face of a disaster.

Business Continuity Plans Error #4: Not having a proactive support system in place for employees if a disaster should occur.

5. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Your responsibility to your employees doesn’t end when the crisis is over. Most business owners are too busy trying to mitigate the impact a disaster has on the organization to check up on employees. Remember that your BCP is more than just cloud backup and recovery; this is the time your employees need to know that you are there for them.

Some of your employees may have special needs and most of them will be far more interested in taking care of their own families than thinking about your organization.

Do you have a crisis intervention team? Make sure you designate some employees as follow-up personnel, checking up on fellow workers after a disaster.

Business Continuity Plans Error #5: Not having a plan in place to follow up on employees after a disaster.

Need Help Creating Comprehensive Business Continuity Plans?

Network Doctor is available to help your business create comprehensive Business Continuity Plans that include your employees’ considerations alongside your organization’s needs. We specialize in cloud backup strategies for additional reliability and security. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment, and let us talk you through it.

The post 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Business Continuity Planning appeared first on Network Doctor.