Do I need to back up Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace?
Why cloud doesn't automatically mean backed up
Yes. Microsoft and Google make sure their service stays up. Making sure your data can be recovered is your responsibility. This is known as the shared responsibility model, and both companies set it out in their terms.
What the built-in tools don't cover well
- Accidental or deliberate deletion: recycle bins and retention only go back so far, typically 14 to 93 days depending on the service and settings.
- Ransomware: encrypted files sync to the cloud, overwriting your good copies.
- Leavers: deleting a user's licence can delete their mailbox and files after a short grace period.
- Sync mistakes: a bad script, integration or mass edit spreads everywhere, instantly.
- Account compromise: an attacker with admin rights can delete data and empty the bin.
What a proper backup gives you
- Independent copies held outside Microsoft or Google.
- Point-in-time restore of mail, OneDrive/Drive, SharePoint/Shared Drives, Teams and calendars.
- Restore of a single email or file, or a whole user, in minutes.
- Retention that you control, which helps with compliance and legal holds.
A quick checklist
- Is every user and shared mailbox or drive included?
- Are backups encrypted and stored off-platform?
- How long are they kept?
- When did you last test a restore? A backup you haven't tested can't be relied on.
We can help. We run managed backup for both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Raise a ticket to get a coverage review.