Secondary Backups: A Must for Microsoft 365

In today’s digital workplace, Microsoft 365 is the engine behind communication, collaboration, and file sharing for countless businesses. But while Microsoft provides powerful productivity tools, it’s a mistake to assume they also provide full-scale data protection.

At Remington Computer Services, we help organizations navigate IT strategy and risk with confidence. And one of the most common blind spots we see? Businesses that rely entirely on Microsoft 365’s native tools—without realizing just how vulnerable their data actually is.

The Myth: “It’s in the Cloud, So It’s Safe.”

Microsoft 365 does offer service-level availability, redundancy, and short-term retention. But these features are not the same as a true backup solution.

Microsoft’s shared responsibility model makes this clear: they manage the infrastructure—you’re responsible for the data. That means if files are deleted, corrupted, or encrypted by ransomware, there may be no way to recover them unless you’ve implemented a separate backup solution.

Real Risks When You Don’t Back Up Microsoft 365

Here’s what can go wrong when you don’t have a secondary backup in place:

Permanent Deletion

After Microsoft’s retention window closes, deleted emails or files are gone forever. This includes content removed by mistake—or intentionally.

Cyber Threats

Ransomware doesn’t discriminate. Once inside, it can encrypt cloud data in SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams just as easily as it does local drives.

Compliance Violations

Many industries—such as healthcare, finance, and legal—require long-term, auditable data retention. Microsoft’s default retention simply doesn’t meet these requirements.

Limited Restore Capabilities

Need to restore one specific version of a file from three months ago? Or recover an ex-employee’s mailbox? Without a backup, your options may be limited or nonexistent.

Why Secondary Backups Are Essential

A dedicated Microsoft 365 backup solution provides:

  • Daily, automated backups of all your M365 data
  • Unlimited or configurable retention periods
  • Granular recovery of individual items like emails, documents, and chat logs
  • Protection from user error, insider threats, and cyberattacks
  • Faster recovery time when every second counts

It’s not just about convenience—it’s about protecting your operations, your clients, and your compliance posture.

Make Backup Part of Your IT Strategy

At Remington Computer Services, we work with clients to create holistic IT strategies that address not only productivity and performance—but also risk, resilience, and compliance. That includes ensuring your Microsoft 365 environment is backed by a secure, standalone backup system.

We help you select the right solution, implement it efficiently, and monitor it over time so you’re always one step ahead of data loss.

Ready to Close the Gap in Your Cloud Protection?

You’ve invested in Microsoft 365 to run your business—now invest in keeping that data safe. Remington Computer Services is here to help you build a smarter, safer IT ecosystem.

Let’s talk about how a secondary backup can fit into your broader strategy—and protect what matters most.

Remington Computer Services has been serving the Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts area since 2010, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses. Our experience has allowed us to build and develop the infrastructure needed to keep our prices affordable and our clients up and running. Schedule a complimentary consultation today. 

Co-Managed IT vs Managed IT: What’s the Difference?

As technology continues to shape every aspect of how we work, having the right IT support model in place is no longer optional—it’s essential. But not every business has the same needs or resources. That’s where the choice between Managed IT Services and Co-Managed IT Services comes in.

At Remington Computer Services, we help businesses understand and implement the right level of IT support for their operations. Here’s a closer look at the key differences between these two models, and how to determine which one is best for your organization.

What Is Managed IT?

Managed IT is a fully outsourced solution where a third-party provider takes over the management of your entire IT environment. This includes day-to-day support, infrastructure maintenance, cybersecurity protection, cloud services, and long-term strategic planning.

It’s a popular choice for companies without a dedicated internal IT department, or those that want to hand off all tech responsibilities to a trusted partner.

What Is Co-Managed IT?

Co-Managed IT is a collaborative model designed to support and extend your in-house IT team. Instead of replacing your internal staff, a provider like Remington Computer Services works alongside them—offering tools, expertise, and added bandwidth where needed.

This setup is ideal for businesses that already have IT professionals on staff but need help with larger projects, specialized systems, or simply want to enhance their capabilities without overextending internal resources.

Comparing the Two Approaches

Here’s how they stack up in practical terms:

  • Managed IT
    • Complete outsourcing of all IT services
    • Ideal for small businesses or organizations without IT staff
    • Offers a predictable monthly cost
    • Provider handles all support, maintenance, and strategy
  • Co-Managed IT
    • Shared responsibility between your team and the provider
    • Best for mid-sized to large organizations with existing IT staff
    • Customizable support based on gaps or pain points
    • Allows your team to stay focused on core initiatives

When to Choose Managed IT

Choose Managed IT if:

  • You don’t have an internal IT team
  • Your business needs reliable, 24/7 support
  • You’re looking to reduce overhead and simplify tech management
  • You want a single partner to handle everything from help desk to cybersecurity

When to Choose Co-Managed IT

Consider Co-Managed IT if:

  • You already have an IT team but they’re overwhelmed or understaffed
  • You’re tackling a major project, like a cloud migration or infrastructure upgrade
  • You want access to enterprise-level tools and expertise without hiring additional staff
  • You need a partner that complements—not replaces—your in-house team

How Remington Computer Services Can Help

Whether you need full-service IT management or a collaborative partner to support your internal tech team, Remington Computer Services is here to provide flexible, tailored solutions that meet your business where it is.

Our team of experts is equipped to:

  • Take over complete IT operations
  • Step in as an extension of your existing IT department
  • Deliver enterprise-grade cybersecurity
  • Support cloud and infrastructure projects
  • Offer strategic guidance as your business evolves

Let’s Build the Right IT Strategy Together

Every business has different technology needs—and we believe your IT support should reflect that. At Remington Computer Services, we’ll help you find the best-fit model and deliver solutions that align with your goals, budget, and vision.

Remington Computer Services has been serving the Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts area since 2010, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses. Our experience has allowed us to build and develop the infrastructure needed to keep our prices affordable and our clients up and running. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.