Backup and security solutions often focus on protecting emails, files and collaboration data in Microsoft 365. However, a critical component is frequently overlooked: Microsoft Entra ID.

Experts are warning that identity infrastructure has become a primary target for cyber attacks because identity protection is a critical component of overall cloud infrastructure. If Entra ID is compromised or misconfigured, it can disrupt access to an organisation’s entire Microsoft environment – but Microsoft does not back up your data, no Entra ID.

What is Microsoft Entra ID?

Entra ID is the identity platform that controls access across the Microsoft 365 environment. It acts as the authentication and access control layer for native and other cloud services. It manages users, groups, permissions, application registrations, and security policies.

As it is central to identity and access management, any malicious attack or accidental disruption impacts the ability of users to sign in or access services, even if underlying data remains intact.

Despite its importance, Microsoft provides only limited retention for some identity objects and not a full backup solution. Recovery windows are also limited and configuration changes may not easily be rolled back.

Best practice

We strongly recommend organisations protect their identity platform; backup must extend beyond data to include the systems that control access to it. Ensuring Entra ID is included in your backup strategy is crucial to reducing downtime and limiting the operational impact of either security incidents or human error.

Our Cloud Backup solution includes protection for Microsoft Entra ID by default. This allows identity objects and configurations to be recovered alongside Microsoft 365 data if required.

To review your current backup strategy and add Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365 to your services, please get in touch.