How to strengthen data security for 365

Issue 5 2023 Information Security, Infrastructure

Amid an alarming rise in ransomware attempts and cloud data security breaches globally, Obsidian Systems, a supplier of open-source software solutions, advises South African businesses to reassess their data protection strategies for Microsoft Office 365.

Despite Microsoft's robust and secure infrastructure, businesses must not overlook their critical role in the shared responsibility model. Many companies, large and small, mistakenly assume their data is fully protected by the cloud service provider. However, this misconception exposes them to considerable risks, particularly concerning the data residing in production and sandbox environments.

"Data protection is an intrinsic responsibility of every business," says Muggie van Staden, Managing Director of Obsidian Systems. "This includes data entering, living in, and leaving the system. It's vital to maintain proactive, long-term protection for all our IT environments."

Even beyond malicious users, there are many scenarios that can result in data loss. For example, accidental deletions, ransomware attacks, and delays in data restoration can all have severe implications on organisational operations. Regulatory fines, encrypted and unusable data, or potential business continuity disruptions are some scenarios that businesses may face.

To combat these risks, Obsidian advises enterprises to focus on four key Microsoft 365 data protection needs: data isolation, extended retention, flexible restoration, and service-level agreement (SLA) compliance:

• Data isolation: It is crucial to maintain separate backup copies outside of source environments. This best practice mitigates risks associated with data corruption and ransomware attacks.

• Extended retention: Long-term data retention without native limitations can safeguard against accidental deletions and ensure recoverability, even when data losses are only discovered months later.

• Flexible restoration: Quick and full-fidelity data recovery options can keep business disruptions to a minimum. Firms should not underestimate the potential time required to fully restore all data and site structures.

• SLA compliance: Businesses need dedicated controls to fulfil Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO) requirements. Meeting these standards is not just about compliance; it's about ensuring business continuity.

“I can urge every company to leverage multi-layered security, which encompasses measures such as virtual airgaps of backup data, AES-256 bit encryption, early threat detection capabilities, and zero-trust access controls,” says van Staden.

In today's digital landscape, South African businesses cannot afford to be complacent. Data protection is a vital component of risk management and should be a top priority in every enterprise's strategic planning.

For more information, contact Obsidian Systems, +27 11 795 0200, www.obsidian.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
Cybersecurity a challenge in digitalising OT
Kaspersky Information Security Industrial (Industry)
According to a study by Kaspersky and VDC Research on securing operational technology environments, the primary risks are inadequate security measures, insufficient resources allocated to OT cybersecurity, challenges surrounding regulatory compliance, and the complexities of IT/OT integration.

Read more...
Cybersecurity in South Africa
Information Security
According to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2025, cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks, data breaches and IT outages, are now the top global business risk, marking their fourth year at the top.

Read more...
Are AI agents a game-changer?
Information Security
While AI-powered chatbots have been around for a while, AI agents go beyond simple assistants, functioning as self-learning digital operatives that plan, execute, and adapt in real time. These advancements do not just enhance cybercriminal tactics, they may fundamentally change the battlefield.

Read more...
Disaster recovery vs cyber recovery
Information Security
Disaster recovery centres on restoring IT operations following events like natural disasters, hardware failures or accidents, while cyber recovery is specifically tailored to address intentional cyberthreats such as ransomware and data breaches.

Read more...
Suprema unveils BioStar Air
Suprema neaMetrics News & Events Access Control & Identity Management Infrastructure
Suprema launches BioStar Air, the first cloud-based access control platform designed to natively support biometric authentication and feature true zero-on-premise architecture. BioStar Air simplifies deployment and scales effortlessly to secure SMBs, multi-branch companies, and mixed-use buildings.

Read more...
Back-up securely and restore in seconds
Betatrac Telematic Solutions Editor's Choice Information Security Infrastructure
Betatrac has a solution that enables companies to back-up up to 8 TB of data onto a device and restore it in 30 seconds in an emergency, called Rapid Access Data Recovery (RADR).

Read more...
The rise of AI-powered cybercrime and defence
Information Security News & Events AI & Data Analytics
Check Point Software Technologies launched its inaugural AI Security Report, offering an in-depth exploration of how cybercriminals are weaponising artificial intelligence (AI), alongside strategic insights defenders need to stay ahead.

Read more...
The deepfake crisis is here and now
Information Security Training & Education
Deepfakes are a growing cybersecurity threat that blur the line between reality and fiction. These AI-generated synthetic media have evolved from technological curiosities to sophisticated weapons of digital deception, costing companies upwards of $600 000 each.

Read more...
What does Agentic AI mean for cybersecurity?
Information Security AI & Data Analytics
AI agents will change how we work by scheduling meetings on our behalf and even managing supply chain items. However, without adequate protection, they become soft targets for criminals.

Read more...