Cloud Backup – DSM Group

August 19, 2025August 19, 2025 By DSM Group Cloud Backup

Acronis 365 Backup Solutions with DSM Group

Protecting Your Microsoft 365 Data

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) has become the backbone of business productivity – with Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams central to daily operations. However, what many organisations don’t realise is that Microsoft operates on a shared responsibility model. While Microsoft ensures service uptime and infrastructure resilience, protecting your business-critical data is your responsibility.

That’s where Acronis 365 Backup, delivered by DSM Group, comes in.

Why Microsoft 365 Data Still Needs Backup

Relying on the default retention policies within Microsoft 365 can leave your organisation exposed. Common risks include:

Accidental Deletion – A user mistakenly deletes files, emails, or Teams messages.
Malicious Actions – Disgruntled employees or external attackers intentionally remove or corrupt data.
Ransomware & Malware – Malicious code can spread through shared mailboxes and OneDrive.
Compliance & Legal Hold – Regulatory requirements often demand longer data retention than Microsoft provides by default.

Without a third-party backup, once Microsoft’s retention period lapses, your data is permanently lost.

DSM Group’s Acronis 365 Backup Solution

DSM Group leverages Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud to deliver comprehensive Microsoft 365 backup and recovery. Our solution covers:

Exchange Online – Protect mailboxes, calendars, contacts, and attachments.
SharePoint Online – Secure entire sites, documents, libraries, and permissions.
OneDrive for Business – Backup files and folder structures with versioning.
Microsoft Teams – Preserve chat messages, shared files, and team site content.

All data is stored securely in DSM’s UK Data Centres, ensuring compliance with GDPR and local data residency requirements.

Key Features & Benefits

Automated Backups – Schedule daily or more frequent backups for complete peace of mind.
Fast Recovery – Granular restore options let you recover a single email, file, or entire mailbox in minutes.
Ransomware Protection – Built-in Acronis Active Protection detects and blocks suspicious activity.
Compliance Ready – Meet GDPR, FCA, and other regulatory obligations with extended retention and audit trails.
Scalable & Flexible – Pay only for what you need – easily scale up as your Microsoft 365 usage grows.
UK Data Sovereignty – Your backups never leave DSM’s secure UK facilities.

How It Works

Seamless Integration – DSM connects your Microsoft 365 tenant to the Acronis backup platform with no downtime.
Policy Setup – Backup frequency, retention policies, and security settings are tailored to your business needs.
Ongoing Protection – Your data is backed up automatically to DSM’s secure cloud.
Quick Recovery – Restore lost or corrupted data on-demand, whether it’s a single file or an entire SharePoint site.

Why Choose DSM Group?

With nearly 40 years of experience in data protection, colocation, and business continuity, DSM Group provides more than just backup software. We deliver:

End-to-End Management – From configuration to ongoing monitoring and support.
UK-Based Support – Expert helpdesk and technical support available when you need it.
Trusted Infrastructure – Hosted within DSM’s eco-friendly UK Data Centres.
Proven Experience – Trusted by businesses across multiple industries for secure data management.

Get Started Today

Don’t leave your Microsoft 365 data unprotected. Whether it’s a single accidental deletion or a ransomware attack, the cost of data loss can be devastating.

DSM Group’s Acronis 365 Backup solution ensures your data is always secure, compliant, and recoverable.

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 By DSM Group Cloud Backup

Why Google Workspace Backup Matters: Protecting Your Data Beyond Google’s Defaults

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) has become the backbone of collaboration for millions of organisations worldwide. With its cloud-native apps like Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, and Docs, it offers incredible productivity and accessibility.

But here’s a critical question: is your Google Workspace data really safe — and recoverable — when you need it most?

Many businesses are surprised to learn that Google’s built-in tools don’t offer comprehensive data protection, particularly when it comes to accidental deletions, misconfigured policies, or offboarding users. In this post, we’ll explore the hidden risks and explain why a dedicated Google Workspace backup solution is now considered essential.

The Common Misconception: “Google Backs Everything Up, Right?”

While Google ensures platform availability and redundancy of infrastructure, it does not guarantee recovery of deleted or altered data beyond specific limits. Here’s what that means in practice:

Risk Area	Google’s Native Protection	Gaps
Accidental deletion	Trash (30-day retention)	Data gone after 30 days
Malicious deletion	Audit logs and vault (if configured)	Requires pre-configured retention rules
Departing employees	Account can be suspended	Data lost if account deleted without backup
Ransomware	Limited protection via Drive versioning	Encrypted files may still be synced
Legal hold/discovery	Only with Vault (enterprise tier)	Not available to all customers
Misconfigurations	No rollback of admin policy changes	Unintended changes hard to reverse

In other words, your data is only as safe as your policy design — and human error is a frequent culprit.

What Happens When an Employee Leaves?

One of the most overlooked causes of irreversible data loss in Google Workspace is the deletion of user accounts during offboarding. When an employee departs, it’s common practice to remove or repurpose their user license — but unless data is manually migrated or backed up, it’s gone permanently.

You may lose:

Gmail conversations with clients
Google Drive files and shared documents
Calendar history and meeting notes
Shared Drive ownership links

With no way to restore deleted accounts after 20–30 days (depending on admin action), businesses risk losing years of operational knowledge.

The Growing Importance of Backup for Compliance and Insurance

Much like Microsoft 365, insurers and regulators are now asking harder questions about cloud backup:

Can you demonstrate recoverability of Gmail or Drive data?
Is your data retained beyond Google’s default timeframes?
Are shared drives and collaborative content preserved after staff turnover?

For many, the answer is no — unless a third-party backup solution is in place.

What a Reliable Google Workspace Backup Solution Should Offer

A robust backup solution for Google Workspace goes beyond redundancy — it enables full control, fast recovery, and long-term retention. Here’s what to look for:

✔️ Automated Daily Backups

Capture all user and shared data automatically, including:

Gmail
Google Drive (incl. Shared Drives)
Contacts and Calendars
Google Meet and Chat history (if applicable)

✔️ Granular Restore

Recover:

Individual emails
Specific files
Calendar entries
Entire user accounts

…without needing to perform a full data restore.

✔️ Retention Policies

Configure retention beyond Google’s defaults — whether for compliance, legal hold, or peace of mind.

✔️ Immutable Backup Storage

Ensure backups are tamper-proof with immutability, a key requirement for insurance claims and audits.

✔️ Backup for Deactivated/Deleted Accounts

Preserve and access the data of ex-employees or service accounts, without consuming a live Workspace license.

✔️ Security & Audit Trail

MFA, encryption at rest and in transit, and detailed logging of backup access and restores.

How DSM Supports Google Workspace Backup

At DSM, we deliver fully managed cloud-to-cloud Google Workspace backup solutions tailored to your business needs. Hosted in our secure UK data centre, our services include:

Automated daily backups
Immutable and encrypted storage
Granular and full-account recovery
Preservation of deprovisioned user data
GDPR-compliant retention policies

All managed by our experienced, ISO27001-accredited team.

Final Thoughts

Google Workspace is a powerful tool — but it’s not immune to data loss. Human error, accidental deletions, and overlooked deprovisioning can leave critical gaps in your data continuity strategy.

With insurers, regulators, and business continuity planners now treating backup as a baseline, it’s never been more important to ensure your Google Workspace data is properly protected.

Want to assess your current data protection coverage or explore a backup solution?
Contact DSM today for a no-obligation consultation.

May 14, 2025July 15, 2025 By DSM Group Uncategorized, Cloud Backup

Cyber Insurance and the Need for Microsoft 365 Backup

Why Backup is Becoming a Policy Requirement — and What That Means for Your Organisation

Cyber insurance has become an essential component of business continuity planning. However, as cyber threats grow more advanced, insurers are tightening their requirements. One of the most significant emerging conditions is the requirement for Microsoft 365 (M365) backup — something many organisations still overlook.

At DSM, we’re seeing this shift first-hand, as clients look to ensure their data protection posture meets evolving cyber insurance standards. In this article, we explain what’s driving this requirement, what constitutes a compliant backup solution, and how businesses can prepare effectively.

Understanding the Change

Microsoft’s Shared Responsibility Model

Many organisations mistakenly believe that Microsoft fully protects M365 data. In fact, Microsoft’s cloud services operate under a shared responsibility model: they maintain the platform’s availability, but customers are responsible for protecting their own data against deletion, corruption, ransomware, and retention misconfiguration.

Native tools such as recycle bins and retention policies offer limited protection, often for short periods (typically 30–90 days), and do not meet insurer expectations for full recoverability.

The Rise of Cloud-Based Threats

Microsoft 365 environments are increasingly being targeted by ransomware, phishing, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks. In these scenarios, data loss is common — and without third-party backup, often irrecoverable.

From an insurer’s perspective, the inability to restore critical business data significantly increases claim risk, operational disruption, and potential reputational harm.

What Are Insurers Looking For?

To reduce their exposure and improve resilience among policyholders, many cyber insurers now require customers to:

Demonstrate that M365 data is backed up externally
Show evidence of backup schedules and retention policies
Confirm that data is restorable in full or in part
Prove that storage is secure, monitored, and immutable

Insurers may request this information at the point of application, during renewal, or even during a claim investigation.

What This Means for Your Organisation

1. Backup Is Now Essential for Compliance

Whether you’re a regulated entity or a small business, having a suitable Microsoft 365 backup solution in place may now be a prerequisite for cyber insurance eligibility. Without one, insurers may:

Decline coverage
Increase premiums
Apply exclusions for cloud-related losses

2. Greater Scrutiny During Due Diligence

Expect more technical questions from underwriters, such as:

What backup technology do you use?
How often is data backed up?
What’s your retention period?
Is backup data immutable?
Have you tested your recovery processes?

3. Operational Benefits Beyond Insurance

Having robust backups of your Microsoft 365 environment doesn’t just satisfy insurers — it also strengthens your business continuity and disaster recovery planning, enhances compliance, and reduces recovery time in the event of an incident.

What Does a Compliant Backup Look Like?

At DSM, we recommend businesses deploy a dedicated backup solution that meets or exceeds the following criteria:

✔️ Comprehensive Coverage

Protection for all core Microsoft 365 workloads:

Exchange Online (emails, calendar, contacts)
OneDrive for Business
SharePoint Online
Microsoft Teams (chats, files, meetings)
M365 Groups and Public Folders

✔️ Granular Recovery

Ability to restore individual items such as emails, documents, calendar entries, or conversations — not just full mailboxes or accounts.

✔️ Immutable Storage

Backups must be tamper-proof, using WORM (Write Once, Read Many) technology. This prevents attackers or internal users from modifying or deleting backup data — a key insurer requirement.

✔️ Automated Scheduling and Retention

Daily or more frequent backups, with configurable retention periods to align with organisational needs or regulatory obligations.

✔️ Role-Based Access and MFA

Administrator access to the backup platform should be restricted, audited, and protected by multi-factor authentication.

✔️ Data Location and Compliance

Ensure data is stored in a secure UK or EU facility, in accordance with data protection regulations such as GDPR and DPA 2018.

How DSM Can Help

At DSM, we offer fully managed Microsoft 365 backup solutions that align with the expectations of both cyber insurers and regulatory bodies. Our platforms are:

Hosted within our UK-based Tier 3 data centre
Integrated with secure, immutable backup storage
Monitored and maintained by our accredited support team
Available with custom retention policies and rapid recovery SLAs

Whether you’re looking to improve resilience, achieve cyber insurance compliance, or simply secure your cloud data, DSM can provide a tailored backup strategy to meet your needs.

Next Steps

If you’re unsure whether your current Microsoft 365 environment is sufficiently protected — or if your insurer has introduced new data protection requirements — we recommend taking the following steps:

Audit your existing M365 backup arrangements
Consult your insurer or broker to confirm their backup requirements
Speak with a DSM advisor to explore compliant backup solutions

Get in touch today to discuss how DSM can help you meet cyber insurance standards with confidence.

April 28, 2025July 15, 2025 By DSM Group Cloud Backup, ESG, Hosting & Colocation

Sustainability and Data Storage: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Last week, we were proud to host a Sustainability Summit alongside the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce at our state-of-the-art DSM ESG Data Centre. Bringing together local businesses, sustainability advocates, and technology leaders, the event sparked important conversations around the intersection of environmental responsibility and digital infrastructure.

As businesses across every sector move increasingly into the digital world, sustainable data storage and management are becoming critical. It’s no longer enough to ask how your data is protected — it’s also time to ask at what environmental cost?

Why Sustainable Data Centres Matter

Data centres are essential for modern business operations, but traditional facilities can be enormous consumers of energy and water. Globally, data centres account for approximately 1–2% of all electricity use, and with data consumption only increasing, that figure is set to rise.

Choosing a data partner committed to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles helps businesses:

Reduce their carbon footprint
Meet sustainability targets and regulatory requirements
Demonstrate responsible supply chain management to stakeholders
Drive positive change across industries

At the Summit, it was clear: businesses want to be part of the solution. But not all data centres are created equal.

DSM’s ESG Data Centre: Leading the Way

At DSM Group, sustainability is not an afterthought — it’s built into our DNA. Our ESG Data Centre, located in Cambridgeshire, has been developed from the ground up to minimise environmental impact without compromising performance, security, or reliability.

Here’s how we do it differently:

Onsite Cooling Lake: Naturally cools equipment without relying solely on energy-intensive mechanical cooling, significantly reducing power usage.
Water-Cooled Racks: Our cutting-edge cooling technology improves energy efficiency and extends equipment life.
200kW Solar Farm: Our own solar installation powers a large portion of our operation, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering carbon emissions.
Nature Reserve: We’re actively rewilding land around the site, supporting local biodiversity, and ensuring that the land we operate on gives back more than it takes.
Sustainability First Design: From construction materials to waste management, every aspect of our facility has been engineered with ESG principles in mind.
ISO 27001:2022 Accredited: Security is never compromised — we’re certified to the latest international standards for information security.

When you’re selecting a data storage or backup partner, look beyond the price tag. Consider their:

Energy sources and consumption
Cooling methods
Carbon reduction commitments
Social responsibility initiatives
Governance and security practices

Partnering with an ESG-driven provider like DSM allows you to safeguard your data and your sustainability credentials at the same time.

Chamber Members Offer: 20% Off Data Backup for 12 Months

As a thank you to everyone who attended the Sustainability Summit — and to support local businesses committed to sustainable growth — we’re delighted to offer Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce members 20% off data backup services for the first 12 months when signing up as a new customer.

Our data backup services offer:

Fully UK-based storage
24/7 support
Military-grade encryption
Flexible, scalable solutions to fit businesses of all sizes

Secure your data. Support the planet. Save money.
Contact us today to find out more and take advantage of this limited-time offer.

December 14, 2023December 14, 2023 By DSM Group Cloud Backup, Security

Offering Immutable Data Backup as Standard: A Game-Changer in Data Security by DSM Group

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, data is the lifeblood of businesses. From financial records and customer information to intellectual property and operational data, companies rely heavily on their digital assets. With the ever-increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats and the potential for accidental data loss, having a robust backup strategy is essential for any organisation.

One innovative approach to data backup that has gained traction but is still far from the industry standard is “Immutable Data Backup.” Immutable data backups offer a level of data protection that goes beyond traditional backup methods, providing an added layer of security against ransomware attacks, human errors, and data corruption. While very few companies currently offer this service due to the associated infrastructure and costs, some forward-thinking organisations are breaking new ground.

One such company is DSM Group, which has made it their mission to prioritise data security and offer immutable data backup as a standard service. Their investment in cutting-edge infrastructure, including a solar farm and a water-cooled data centre, has allowed them to provide this game-changing service to their clients without breaking the bank.

Understanding Immutable Data Backup

Before delving into the benefits of immutable data backup, it’s essential to understand what it entails. Immutable data backup refers to a backup method where once data is stored, it cannot be altered, overwritten, or deleted until a predefined retention period expires. In other words, it guarantees the immutability and integrity of your backup data, making it impervious to external threats or accidental data modifications.

The Advantages of Immutable Data Backup

Ransomware Resilience: Ransomware attacks have become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated. Attackers often target backups, rendering them useless and leaving victims with no option but to pay a ransom. Immutable data backups are immune to such attacks, as the data remains unalterable, regardless of external interference.
Data Integrity: In a world where data integrity is paramount, immutable backups provide assurance that your data will remain unchanged, ensuring its accuracy and reliability for compliance and auditing purposes.
Protection Against Human Errors: Accidental data deletion or modification is a common cause of data loss. Immutable backups safeguard against these mistakes, guaranteeing the ability to restore your data to its original state.
Historical Data Retrieval: Immutable backups preserve historical versions of data, enabling organisations to recover files or records from any point in time. This can be invaluable for investigating incidents or tracking changes over time.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that your critical data is secure and immutable can offer peace of mind to business owners and IT professionals, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives rather than worrying about data loss.

The Slight Space Requirement and Cost

One consideration to keep in mind when adopting immutable data backup

is that it typically requires approximately 20% more storage space compared to traditional backup methods. While this might lead to concerns about increased costs, it’s essential to emphasise that the additional storage cost is minimal when weighed against the substantial benefits of data security and protection against potential data breaches or loss.

The investment in the extra storage space for immutable backups is a proactive measure that ensures the integrity and availability of your critical data. In the grand scheme of data security, this added expense is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and resilience it offers against cyber threats and data disasters.

Overcoming the Cost and Infrastructure Challenge

The primary reason many companies have yet to adopt immutable data backup as a standard service is the perceived cost and infrastructure required. However, forward-thinking organisations like DSM Group have found innovative solutions to overcome these challenges.

By investing in renewable energy sources, such as a solar farm, and developing an efficient water-cooled data centre, DSM Group has managed to significantly reduce operational costs. These investments not only make their data centre environmentally friendly but also allow them to pass on cost savings to their clients, making immutable data backup an affordable option.

Making Immutable Data Backup Accessible to All

The move toward offering immutable data backup as a standard service is a significant step in enhancing data security for businesses of all sizes. While the infrastructure and costs may have been barriers in the past, companies like DSM Group are demonstrating that it’s possible to overcome these challenges.

In an era when data breaches and cyber threats are a constant concern, investing in immutable data backup is a proactive approach that can protect your organisation’s most valuable asset: its data. As more companies recognise the importance of this service, it may become an industry standard, ensuring that businesses are better equipped to safeguard their digital assets in an increasingly volatile digital landscape.

In conclusion, immutable data backup is a game-changer in data security, and DSM Group is leading the way by making it accessible and affordable to their clients. As businesses continue to prioritise data protection, immutable backups may soon become the gold standard for safeguarding critical digital assets. The minimal cost of additional storage space pales in comparison to the invaluable protection it provides for your data.

If you would like to know more or get a quote please call us or fill in the form below.

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