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Azure Backup and Recovery for UK Businesses
Backups that are actually tested, not just scheduled — so when you need to restore something, you already know it works.
Tested, Not Assumed
We test restores on a scheduled basis, not just configure backup jobs and hope they'd work if ever needed.
Cloud Backup Included
Cloud backup is included as standard on our managed plans, alongside 24/7 monitoring and EDR endpoint protection.
Fast, Documented Recovery
A clear, tested recovery plan means restoring from backup is a known process, not a scramble under pressure.
Azure backup and recovery UK businesses can actually rely on
A backup that's never been tested is a hope, not a plan. Plenty of businesses have a backup job configured somewhere, quietly running every night, and genuinely no idea whether it would actually restore correctly if it needed to. The failure usually only becomes visible at the worst possible moment — a server failure, a ransomware attack, or someone accidentally deleting the wrong folder — and that's exactly when you find out a backup that looked fine on a dashboard has been silently failing for months. Proper azure backup and recovery uk businesses need means backups that are configured correctly for what you actually run, and restores that are tested on a schedule, so you already know the process works before you're relying on it under pressure.
Azure Backup can protect virtual machines, databases, file shares and Microsoft 365 data, with retention policies set to match your business's actual recovery needs — how far back you might need to restore from, and how quickly. We configure backup properly as part of our managed IT support, test restores on a defined schedule rather than leaving that to chance, and keep documentation of the recovery process up to date, so a restore is a known, rehearsed procedure rather than something worked out for the first time during an actual incident.
There's a particular pattern worth flagging: businesses that assume Microsoft 365 comes with backup built in, because their data is "in the cloud" and clouds feel inherently safe. Microsoft's own service agreement is explicit that customers are responsible for backing up their own data — the platform's native retention windows exist to help with accidental deletion within a limited timeframe, not to serve as a substitute for genuine backup with independent retention and immutability. Discovering that gap during a ransomware incident, when retention has already lapsed or been targeted directly, is a far worse time to learn it than during a calm conversation about what's actually covered.
What proper backup and recovery involves
We start by mapping what actually needs backing up — virtual machines, databases, file shares, and Microsoft 365 data including email, SharePoint and OneDrive, since these are often assumed to be covered by Microsoft when in fact Microsoft's native retention doesn't protect against deliberate deletion or ransomware the way a proper backup does. From there we configure retention policies to match how far back your business genuinely needs to recover from, and how quickly.
Restore Testing, Scheduled Not Assumed
A backup job running successfully every night tells you the backup completed — it doesn't tell you the restore will work. We test restores on a defined schedule, so any issue is caught during a planned test rather than during a real emergency.
A Documented Recovery Process
When something does need restoring, speed matters. We document the recovery process clearly, so whoever's on shift knows exactly what to do rather than working it out from scratch under pressure.
What your backup and recovery service includes
Every azure backup and recovery uk engagement follows the same core deliverables, whatever you're running.
Our approach to backup and recovery
Tested, Not Just Scheduled
A backup running successfully overnight isn't proof it works. We test restores on a defined schedule so you know, not hope, it'll work when needed.
Microsoft 365 Data Protected Properly
Native Microsoft 365 retention doesn't protect against deliberate deletion or ransomware. We configure dedicated backup for email, SharePoint and OneDrive data.
How it works
From first assessment to tested, documented recovery — our process keeps things reliable.
1
Assessment
We review what's currently backed up, what isn't, and where retention policies fall short of what your business needs.
2
Configuration
We configure backup for every system that needs it, with retention policies matched to your recovery requirements.
3
Testing
We test restores on a defined schedule, so issues are caught in a planned test, not during a real incident.
4
Ongoing Monitoring
Backup success is monitored 24/7, with recurring restore tests continuing as part of your managed plan.
UK businesses review backup and recovery when
Nobody has ever actually tested whether a restore from backup would work
A near-miss with ransomware or accidental deletion made leadership question their current setup
Microsoft 365 data is assumed to be backed up but nobody has confirmed how or for how long
A previous IT provider set up backup years ago and it's never been reviewed since
A Cyber Essentials or insurance renewal assessment flagged backup as a gap to address
Retention periods don't match how far back the business would actually need to recover data from
A new system or application has been added recently and nobody's confirmed it's covered by backup
There's no documented recovery process, so a restore would mean working things out under pressure
There's no in-house resource with the time to review backup coverage and test restores properly
Why choose Cloudswitched for Azure backup and recovery?
We test restores on a defined schedule rather than assuming a successfully completed backup job means a working restore.
Microsoft 365 data — email, SharePoint and OneDrive — is backed up properly, not left to Microsoft's native retention, which doesn't protect against deliberate deletion or ransomware the way dedicated backup does.
Cloud backup is included as standard on our managed plans, alongside 24/7 monitoring and EDR endpoint protection, backed by a 99% SLA guarantee.
Packages start from £20 per user per month for ongoing managed support including backup, so you know what proper protection costs before you commit.
Backup rarely sits in isolation from the rest of your resilience planning. If your business needs a broader disaster recovery plan covering more than data restoration, we can scope that alongside your backup configuration, and if your environment needs wider security attention, our Azure security management service builds on a properly backed-up foundation.
Choose Your Backup Plan
Every backup and recovery plan is scoped to what you're running, with no hidden costs.
Coverage Assessment
A standalone review of your current backup coverage
POA/ fixed quote
- Backup coverage review
- Gap analysis
- Written recommendation
- Configuration work
- Restore testing
Most Popular
Full Configuration
Complete backup setup with initial restore test
POA/ fixed quote
- Full assessment included
- All systems configured
- Initial restore test
- Documented recovery process
- Ongoing managed support
Managed
Configuration plus ongoing monitoring and restore testing
£20/user/month
- Configuration included
- 24/7 monitoring
- Recurring restore tests
- 99% SLA guarantee
Enterprise
Complex, multi-system or multi-site backup needs
POA/ custom quote
- Multi-site backup
- Custom retention policies
- Dedicated account manager
- 99% SLA guarantee
Why Cloudswitched for Azure backup and recovery?
We test what we build, not just configure it and hope. Here's what sets our approach apart.
Restores tested, not assumed
A completed backup job isn't proof of a working restore. We test on a schedule so you know, not hope, it'll work.
24/7 monitoring included
Backup success and failure alerts are monitored around the clock, backed by EDR endpoint protection.
Microsoft 365 covered properly
We don't rely on Microsoft's native retention alone — email, SharePoint and OneDrive get dedicated backup.
Documented recovery, not guesswork
A written recovery process means a restore is a known procedure, not worked out under pressure for the first time.
A named engineer throughout
You won't be passed between different contacts. A named engineer manages your backup setup from start to finish.
Retention matched to your business
Retention periods are set based on how far back you'd genuinely need to recover from, not a generic default.
No vendor lock-in
Your backup data and configuration belong to you. We document everything so another provider could take over if needed.
UK-wide remote delivery
We deliver azure backup and recovery uk services remotely, with the same tested, documented approach wherever you're based.
Transparent, fixed pricing
Assessment and configuration costs are agreed upfront in writing, so there's no hourly billing surprise once work begins.
Backup Alongside Your Wider Resilience Planning
Backup is one part of a wider resilience picture. If your business needs a broader disaster recovery plan beyond data restoration, our IT support team can scope that alongside your backup configuration, and if you're planning a first migration to Azure, our Azure migration services page covers assessment and cutover including backup from day one. Once backup is properly configured, our Azure security management service can build wider protection on top of it.
Who our backup and recovery service is for
We deliver azure backup and recovery uk businesses need across professional services, retail, manufacturing and growing SMEs — any business that has never actually tested a restore or is relying on Microsoft 365's native retention alone. Businesses working towards Cyber Essentials certification or cyber insurance renewal, teams who've had a near-miss with accidental deletion or ransomware, and companies who inherited a backup setup from a previous provider all tend to see the fastest improvement. We also see businesses that simply want the peace of mind of knowing, rather than assuming, that a restore would actually work if it were ever needed.
Sector mix: from professional services firms protecting client data and email records, to retailers and manufacturers protecting order systems and production data, the underlying discipline is the same — configure properly, test on a schedule, and document the recovery process clearly.
Delivery: Our backup and recovery service is delivered remotely for clients across the UK, with a structured coverage assessment, a documented recovery process, and recurring restore tests as part of ongoing management.
Whether your azure backup and recovery uk needs are a straightforward review of an existing setup or a full configuration from scratch, the same discipline applies — assess honestly, configure properly, and test regularly rather than assuming it works.
We also work with businesses who've inherited a backup configuration from a previous IT provider and simply want independent verification that it's actually sound before relying on it — a quick coverage assessment is often enough to either confirm it's working properly or surface gaps that need addressing before they matter.
Coverage
UK-Wide, Remote-First
Wherever your business is based, our backup and recovery service is delivered remotely with the same testing rigour and 99% SLA guarantee.
Service
Azure Backup and Recovery
azure backup and recovery uk
Azure backup and recovery uk businesses can rely on, with scheduled restore testing and a documented recovery process.
Related
Azure Security Management
azure security management uk
Where backup protects your data, our Azure security management service protects the environment that data lives in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about Azure backup and recovery? We've answered the most common ones below. If you need more detail, get in touch.
How much does azure backup and recovery uk cost?
Cost depends on what needs backing up and how long data needs to be retained. Cloud backup is included as standard on our managed plans from £20 per user per month, with no separate line item to negotiate.
Isn't Microsoft 365 data backed up automatically?
Microsoft's native retention helps with some scenarios but doesn't fully protect against deliberate deletion, ransomware or retention periods running out before you need to recover something. Dedicated backup with its own independent retention covers those gaps properly.
How often do you test restores?
We agree a testing schedule based on your business's risk tolerance, typically running scheduled restore tests so any issue is caught well before it would matter in a real incident.
How quickly can we recover if something goes wrong?
Recovery time depends on what's being restored and how much data is involved, but a documented recovery process means the team acting on it knows exactly what to do, cutting out delay caused by working things out on the fly.
Does backup protect against ransomware?
Properly configured backup with appropriate retention and immutability settings gives you a clean copy of data to restore from after a ransomware incident, which remains one of the most effective and reliable protections available against this kind of attack.
Can you take over a backup setup from a previous provider?
Yes, we regularly inherit backup environments configured by previous providers, and always start with a coverage assessment before making any changes to what's currently running.
What retention period do we actually need?
It depends on your industry and how far back you'd realistically need to recover data from. We recommend a retention policy based on your specific business and regulatory obligations, not a generic default applied to every client regardless of sector.
Does this help with Cyber Essentials or insurance requirements?
Yes, properly configured, tested backup is often a requirement for Cyber Essentials and can support cyber insurance applications, and we can provide documentation to evidence it during any assessment or renewal process.
Free On Boarding worth up to £2,000!
Limited time offer — valid until 31/05/2026
Get in touch about Azure backup and recovery for your business
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