Research on the built in data backup capabilities of office 365?

Copper Contributor
Hi everyone,

I’m doing a research for my company on the built in data backup capabilities of office 365 , and I have a couple questions that I hope you guys can help me with .


Email:

1.can we restore mailboxes from a certain point in time?
2.can we restore messages ? ( not from deleted items)
3.can we restore public folders ?

Sharepoint/OneDrive:

1.can we resotre oneDrive/ Sharepoint files?
2.if so how long are backup copies retained?
3.do we have revisions of files? similar to shadow copies
4.can we recover from a ransomware infection?

Thank you ,
Fritz.W
2 Replies
1. No PIT restore! OFFICE 365 doesn’t work this way!
See here how exchange works regarding backup and restore incl retention:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/exchange-online-service-description/h...

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/back-up-email

Regarding sharepoint and OD it works in a similar way with a 2 stage recycle bin and 93 days combined! 30 days for lists and libraries, collection sites etc
MS also backs up the infrastructure 14 days back afaik! You have to contact them to do a restore here

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/securitycompliance/office-365-sharepoint-online-data-dele...

Also, to keep data etc you also use retention here!!
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/securitycompliance/retention-policies

SharePoint use versioning (shadow copies)

https://support.office.com/en-ie/article/how-does-versioning-work-in-a-sharepoint-list-or-library-0f...

Also there is onedrive restore for disaster recovery, also rolling out for sharepoint!

https://support.office.com/en-ie/article/restore-your-onedrive-fa231298-759d-41cf-bcd0-25ac53eb8a15




1.Can we restore mailboxes from a certain point in time?

    Yes you can restore the mailbox by using builtin e-discovery option. By the way mailbox are placed in soft deleted for 30 days of deletion date. Afterwards it moved to Inactive Mailbox.You can find the  E-discovery option under on Office 365 security and compliance portal. 

 

2.Can we restore messages ? ( not from deleted items)

  Yes you can restore certain emails by Advanced E-discovery function.Where you can defined your own custom condition to meet the filter. 

 

3.Can we restore public folders ?

  Yes you can restore the public folder by "Last and Found" option.