Stuff happens to everyone everywhere all the time
Mistakes, even when it comes to Microsoft 365 migrations, may never be completely avoided by everyone. However, those who arm themselves with knowledge and learn from mistakes already made by others are best equipped to avoid the costly issues that can break a company’s best intentions of migration to the cloud. Read on to understand these four common errors and how you can avoid them.
Using End User Credentials For Migration
When you migrate to Microsoft 365, you have to ensure that every profile makes it from Microsoft Exchange (or wherever you’re coming from) to your Microsoft 365 platform. You can do a batch migration by inputting every user’s password, but there are few significant hiccups with this process:
- If you change all the user passwords to one, easy to remember password, even temporarily, you are putting your system at a high risk
- If you opt for security and don’t change the passwords, you will spend a lot of time playing data entry
The better option is to use administrator credentials and save yourself time and risk.
Failing to Harden Your System
Microsoft 365 is a so-called “security-hardened service,” but like any cloud-based service, it has its vulnerabilities.
Starting points to secure your environment:
- Delete unused programs: Excess programs create more portals for malware to access your network, so keep your computers clean and tidy
- Install the latest versions of your apps
- Use security templates
- Change passwords regularly
- Physically secure access to computers, on-premise servers, and other access points
- Secure your cloud platforms
Assuming Microsoft 365 Data is Forever
If you (or your higher-ups) operate under the assumption that Microsoft 365 data security and backup means access to the data for all time no matter what, allow us to (gently) burst that bubble. Cloud data is not as secure as some cloud vendors would have your organization believe.
Your company’s last quarter fiscal report can disappear at any moment for a myriad of reasons from professional exits to ransomware to natural disasters; you need to be proactive in protecting and ensuring access to mission-critical data. Large-scale Microsoft 365 security vulnerabilities have been documented, and though they are few and far between, no company should rely on the probability of safety over business.
Ignoring GDPR Regulations
Article 32 of the EU’s GDPR demands explicitly that organizations maintain the “ability to restore the availability and access to personal data in a timely manner in the event of a physical or technical incident.” In this global business atmosphere it is difficult to avoid interfacing with EU clients, customers, and otherwise engage with data that puts your organization under the jurisdiction of EU GDPR data regulations.
Your organization should have answers to these vital data questions:
- Do we have an Microsoft 365 backup solution that accounts for a Microsoft 365 “technical incident”?
- How quickly can we restore our Microsoft 365 data?
- If a file is accidentally deleted, how do we ensure restoration of the correct version?
If you don’t have a feeling of peace and calm when you read those questions, you may need additional data backup. Most organizations should be using a cloud-to-cloud data security service to provide a sufficient level of data protection and accessibility, no matter what.
Reduce risk, save money, and make life easier.
About Plow Networks
Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, Plow Networks is a Total Service Provider (TSP) with several distinct business practices that, when consumed together, offer our clients a unique, best-in-class experience. We give organizations peace of mind, valuable time back and the economies of scale that come with having one technology partner that is focused on exceeding their expectations with every engagement.
