If your business relies on Microsoft 365, you’re not alone — it’s the backbone of email, Teams, SharePoint, and day-to-day operations for millions of organisations. But here’s the catch: most businesses wrongly assume their data is fully protected by Microsoft. It’s not.
The Reality of Microsoft’s Shared Responsibility Model
Microsoft 365 is designed to keep their platform secure — but protecting your data is your responsibility. If data gets deleted, corrupted, or falls victim to a cyber-attack, Microsoft doesn’t guarantee recovery. And no, it doesn’t automatically back everything up either.
Here’s what that means in plain English: Microsoft protects their infrastructure, but you’re responsible for securing your data, access, and configurations
This is where many businesses run into trouble — assuming Microsoft has it covered, only to discover the gaps when it’s too late.
The Cyber Threats Aren’t Slowing Down
Between July and December 2024 alone, Microsoft fixed over 600 security vulnerabilities (Acronis Cyberthreats Report, H2 2024). Threats are evolving faster than ever, and if you’re only relying on Microsoft’s default security, you’re exposed.
Microsoft themselves even recommend using a third-party solution for backups. That’s because accidental deletion, insider threats, ransomware, and phishing attacks remain real risks that the default Microsoft 365 setup simply isn’t built to handle.
Why Managing It All Internally Doesn’t Work
Managing Microsoft 365 security and configurations is complex and time-consuming. It requires dedicated knowledge, constant monitoring, and the ability to respond quickly when something goes wrong.
Most internal IT teams (even good ones) are stretched thin already. And the more tools you add to try to fill the gaps, the harder it becomes to keep control.
What Good Looks Like: A Smarter Approach to Microsoft 365 Security
The solution? A streamlined, proactive approach that gives you:
- Advanced threat detection and response
- Reliable backups and disaster recovery managed for you
- Email and collaboration security for all your users
- Regular audits and compliance reporting to your exec team
- Easy-to-manage visibility across your environment
Partners like Net Essence deliver all of this in one service, tailored to protect Microsoft 365 environments properly, without overwhelming your team or blowing the budget.
Training Matters Too
Even the best technology won’t help if a colleague clicks the wrong link. That’s why good cybersecurity is as much about people as it is about tools. Regular training and clear guidance are essential to strengthen your security posture.
Your Business Depends on This
With over 450 million paid Microsoft 365 users and more than 300 million people using Teams every month, your business is part of a huge and growing digital ecosystem. 80% of corporate users run five or more Microsoft apps every day, and every one of them is a potential risk if not properly protected.
Don’t assume Microsoft is handling this for your business. Now’s the time to review how your Microsoft 365 environment is protected, before a mistake or attack takes something mission-critical offline.