Data mapping
Identify important files, mailboxes, systems and cloud services so backup decisions are based on real business dependencies.
Know what is protected before you need to restore it
Cloud, Backup & Recovery
Backup and recovery planning for SMEs that need a clearer answer to three questions: what is protected, how long is it retained, and how would the business recover if the original data disappeared?
Microsoft 365 backupFile & system backupRetention planningRecovery testing
A more joined-up approach
A backup is only useful if it covers the right data and can be recovered.
Business data now lives across Microsoft 365, cloud applications, local devices and sometimes legacy systems. We help identify what matters, where it lives and what recovery approach is appropriate instead of assuming that “it is in the cloud” means every loss scenario is covered.
Microsoft 365
Review protection requirements around Exchange Online, OneDrive and SharePoint where additional backup or retention is appropriate.
Retention
Set sensible retention periods around the business requirement rather than keeping everything forever or too little for recovery.
Recovery
Document how data or systems would be restored, who is responsible and what dependencies could affect recovery.
Restore testing
Where appropriate, test recovery rather than waiting for an incident to discover that the process or credentials do not work.
Continuity thinking
Connect backups to the wider question of how staff would keep working during an outage, loss or supplier problem.
What matters
Business continuity is broader than copying files somewhere else.
A useful continuity plan considers people, access, systems, communications and priorities. Backup supports that plan, but the business still needs to know what should be restored first and what can operate temporarily in another way.
Microsoft 365 backupFile & system backupRetention planningRecovery testing
- Identify the data and systems the business genuinely depends on.
- Understand which cloud services already provide retention and where gaps remain.
- Keep backup credentials and administrative access protected.
- Define practical retention around business requirements.
- Document recovery responsibilities and key dependencies.
- Review and test important recovery paths periodically.
Typical scope
Build resilience around the environment you already use
Backup requirements vary, so the starting point is understanding the current systems rather than prescribing one product to every business.
Microsoft 365 backupCloud file backupDevice backupRetention reviewRecovery planningRestore testingBusiness continuitySupplier reviewDocumentation
How we work
A clear process from first review to ongoing improvement.
The detail varies by project, but the work follows a practical sequence so decisions are made for a reason and responsibilities stay clear.
Map
Identify critical data, cloud services, devices and systems along with the impact if each became unavailable.
Design
Choose an appropriate protection and retention approach based on the actual business requirement.
Implement
Configure the agreed backup and access controls, document ownership and verify the expected data is being protected.
Review
Check backup status, recovery assumptions and changing business systems as part of ongoing IT support where required.
Want to know what the right scope looks like for your business?
Tell us what you are trying to improve and what you already have in place. We can recommend the sensible next step without forcing the project into a generic package.
FAQs
Questions businesses often ask before getting started.
Microsoft 365 provides native resilience and retention features, but those features are not the same as every organisation’s desired independent backup and recovery model. We review the business requirement and current configuration before recommending an approach.
Sync is designed to keep working copies aligned across locations or devices. Backup is designed around retaining recoverable historical copies when original data is deleted, changed, corrupted or otherwise unavailable.
Yes, where endpoint backup is appropriate. The right method depends on where business data is stored and whether the goal is file recovery, full-device recovery or both.
There is no single answer. Retention should reflect business, operational and regulatory needs along with storage cost and the types of recovery scenarios you want to cover.
Restore testing can be included for important systems or data sets. The exact method depends on the backup platform and the level of recovery assurance required.
Yes. It often makes sense to review backup status and recovery arrangements alongside Microsoft 365, device and security support.
Yes, from a technology perspective. We can help map important systems, dependencies and recovery priorities, while wider organisational continuity planning may involve other operational stakeholders as well.