Cybersecurity is a moving target, and as organizations increasingly rely on Microsoft 365, Entra ID has become the latest battleground in the war on information security. In our recent webinar, “The Overlooked Risk in Your Microsoft 365 Defense: Identity Protection”, Veeam expert Karinne Bessette and industry leader Joseph Carson explored the real-world risks organizations face, including why identity is under attack and how resilience backup strategies play a vital role in modern defense.
Missed the live session? Don’t worry! You can watch it on demand now.
Identity: The Prime Target for Attackers
The days when attackers only tried to brute-force their way into on-premises networks are fading. Today, identity credentials are the keys to your digital kingdom. With millions of attacks targeting Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) every day, the threat is persistent and evolving. Why? Because compromising Entra ID gives attackers access to everything: email, files, sensitive business data, and even critical infrastructure.
Real-World Lessons: Beyond the Headlines
Our guest, world-renowned cybersecurity expert and CISO advisor Joseph Carson, shared eye-opening stories from the trenches, ranging from ransomware shutting down transportation companies for months, small businesses losing both company and personal data, and the immense stress and financial impact these incidents had on leadership teams. These aren’t isolated incidents either, and they’re becoming all too common as attackers leverage stolen credentials, exploit human error, and use advanced tools like AI to sift through exfiltrated data.
Misconfigurations and Human Error: The Silent Threat
It’s not just about external attackers. Misconfigurations, accidental deletions, and even well-intentioned employees looking for workarounds can open doors to disaster. Defaults are rarely secure by design, and critical data can be lost or become unrecoverable if organizations rely solely on built-in tools like recycling bins, which often fall short in real-world attacks.
The Shared Responsibility Model and Your Role
Many organizations believe Microsoft “has them covered.” While Microsoft secures the infrastructure, you are responsible for protecting your data, identities, and configurations. Think of it like renting an office. The building may be secure, but if you don’t lock your own door, your assets are still at risk.
Resilience Through Backup: Why it Matters
Business continuity depends on more than hope and default settings. True business resiliency means having tested, segregated, and immutable backups so you can recover efficiently, minimize downtime, and avoid the catastrophic costs of failed recovery attempts.
That’s why Veeam offers solutions purpose-built for Entra ID and Microsoft 365, providing not only protection but confidence in your ability to recover from any incident.
Key Takeaways:
- Identity is the top attack vector. Protect it with layered defenses.
- Relying on default configurations is risky. Secure by design, not by accident.
- Human error and insider threats are real, and continuous education and monitoring are essential.
- The shared responsibility model means you must own your data protection.
- Recovery is the difference between business survival and disaster, so backups must be robust, tested, and separate from production.
Ready to Strengthen Your Microsoft 365 Defense?
Watch the full webinar on-demand to hear first hand stories, get practical tips, and see how Veeam can help you build true resiliency in your Microsoft 365 environment.
👉 Access the on-demand webinar here
Have questions or want a personalized demo? Reach out to your Veeam representative or contact us today.