Best 8 Microsoft Entra ID Backup Solutions For Business (2026)
We reviewed 8 Entra ID backup solutions on granular object recovery, retention depth, and security controls. Native Microsoft tooling does not cover what these platforms protect.
Written by
Mirren McDade
Technical Review by
Laura Iannini
Quick Summary
Microsoft Entra ID does not natively back up directory objects — deleted users, groups, roles, and application registrations may be unrecoverable after the default retention window expires. Third-party Entra ID backup solutions provide granular object-level recovery that Microsoft’s built-in tools cannot deliver. We reviewed 8 solutions and found Datto Backup for Microsoft Entra ID, Veeam Data Cloud for Microsoft Entra ID, and AvePoint Cloud Backup for Entra ID to be the strongest on granular recovery depth and retention policy controls.
Microsoft Entra ID is the identity backbone of your Microsoft 365 environment. Every user account, group membership, conditional access policy, and role assignment lives there. Microsoft manages the infrastructure, but protecting what’s inside your directory is your responsibility. A ransomware attack that reaches admin credentials, an accidental policy deletion, or a misconfiguration that locks users out of critical systems becomes a recovery problem you can’t solve without a backup.
We evaluated eight Entra ID backup platforms for recovery granularity, retention flexibility, immutability, storage model, compliance readiness, and whether the service handles the edge cases that matter most under pressure. What we found: the gap between “backs up Entra ID” and “recovers your directory when you actually need it” is wider than most buyers expect. Some platforms offer unlimited retention but obscure the licensing model until you’re mid-contract. Others deliver surgical attribute-level recovery but narrow their storage options in ways that create sovereignty problems for regulated organizations.
This guide cuts through the feature lists to show you which platforms deliver when your directory is compromised or misconfigured, and which ones are better suited to a different use case than yours.
Our Recommendations
We found that the top options here excel at different goals. Pick based on your team’s priorities.
- Best for MSPs and mid-market teams already running Datto tools: Datto Backup for Microsoft Entra ID — Time-based restore picks the cleanest pre-incident snapshot without manual snapshot hunting. Single console handles all tenants for MSPs managing multiple clients. Limited control over backup frequency is a recurring complaint from customers with stricter RPO requirements.
- Best for organizations that want fully managed identity backup without running infrastructure: Veeam Data Cloud for Microsoft Entra ID — Fully managed SaaS removes patching, infrastructure, and version maintenance from your team. Granular recovery works at the attribute level, not just bulk object restores. Licensing rules are flagged as confusing when deleting users from M365.
- Best for organizations that want focused Entra ID protection with indefinite retention: AvePoint Cloud Backup — Item-level restore lets you recover individual users, groups, and policies precisely. Retention with no aging out keeps every backup version available for as long as needed. Narrow focus on Entra ID means it is not a multi-workload backup option.
- Best for M365 customers that want Entra ID protection without separate licensing overhead: Barracuda Entra ID Backup — Unlimited retention closes Microsoft’s 30-day window for long-tail data loss recovery. Bundled at no extra cost with Cloud-to-Cloud Backup for M365 customers. Standalone pricing is reportedly less competitive than the bundled option.
- Best for ransomware-conscious teams and MSPs that need immutable directory backups with configuration tracking: CyberSentriq — Immutable backups resist tampering even after admin credentials are compromised. Automated configuration tracking gives you an audit trail of directory changes. Customers say it is not always the cheapest option in the market.
- Best for organizations protecting multiple SaaS platforms that want one console for Entra ID, Okta, and M365: HYCU — One-click restore for entire tenants or individual elements without scripted recovery steps. Backup assurance verifies recovery viability rather than just backup completion. Consumption-based pricing needs careful planning to estimate accurately upfront.
- Best for organizations under data sovereignty pressure or unwinding hyperscaler dependencies: Keepit Backup and Recovery for Microsoft Entra ID — Vendor-independent cloud storage offers a distinct sovereignty and supply chain posture. Coverage extends to Intune, BitLocker keys, and LAPS passwords beyond core Entra ID objects. SIEM integration requires additional configuration to fully populate event data.
- Best for organizations that need flexible storage placement and a strong directory change audit trail:ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus — Storage choice across on-premises, NAS, Azure, AWS, and Wasabi avoids vendor lock-in. Attribute and object-level restoration enables surgical undo of specific directory changes. Update cadence sometimes interrupts admin workflows.
Datto Backup for Microsoft Entra ID targets MSPs and mid-market teams that want directory protection running quietly in the background. We think it’s a strong fit for providers already in the Datto ecosystem, where multi-tenant management, immutable storage, and compliance alignment come together in one console. The time-based restore is the standout feature here.
Datto Backup for Microsoft Entra ID Key Features
Datto runs up to six backups per tenant per day, roughly every four hours, with automatic issue flagging so admins aren’t chasing dashboards. The time-based restore lets you pick a moment and Datto selects the cleanest restore point just before it, which beats hunting through snapshots manually. Cross-user restore, unlimited storage, and immutable backups in the Datto Cloud round out the protection. An April 2026 integration with Datto SaaS Protection and Spanning now enables restoring Entra ID objects and Microsoft 365 Exchange data in a single workflow.
What Customers Say
Customers say Datto’s pricing is a real advantage when stacking it alongside other Datto products, and MSPs trying to stay competitive on price call this out repeatedly. Support response times also come up positively. Some users report there is limited control over backup frequency.
Our Take
We think Datto makes the most sense if you’re an MSP managing multiple tenants or a mid-market team already running other Datto tools. You get multi-tenant management, immutable storage, and SOC, HIPAA, and GDPR alignment in one console. Global data centers across North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa give you residency control without extra configuration.
Strengths
- Up to six daily backups per tenant with automatic alerting
- Time-based restore picks the cleanest pre-incident snapshot
- Immutable backups support ransomware recovery and compliance
- Single console manages all tenants from one place
- 2026 integration enables combined Entra ID and Exchange recovery
Cautions
- Users report limited control over backup frequency
- Pricing requires a direct sales conversation
Veeam Data Cloud for Microsoft Entra ID
Veeam Data Cloud for Entra ID is a fully managed SaaS backup service that covers the full set of Entra ID objects: users, groups, attributes, application registrations, conditional access policies, and audit logs. We were impressed by the proactive change tracking, which gives you visibility into directory changes before they become incidents. If you’ve already standardized on Veeam elsewhere, this slots into your identity layer cleanly.
Veeam Data Cloud for Microsoft Entra ID Key Features
The fully managed angle is the real selling point. Veeam handles maintenance, updates, and security patches, so your team doesn’t carry the operational weight. Recovery works down to individual attributes, not just bulk restores, which matters when you need surgical fixes after an admin error. Unlimited storage is included with service-level immutability at no extra cost, ensuring backups can’t be altered, tampered with, or deleted. Any additional Entra ID users are free within the 3X Fair Use Policy.
What Customers Say
Customers say Veeam’s reliability is the standout trait across the broader Data Cloud platform. Backup success rates stay high, and the interface keeps day-to-day work simple. Built-in ransomware protection comes up often as a positive. According to customer feedback, licensing transparency could be better, especially around how counts are released when accounts are deleted. A few users have flagged slower performance on large restore jobs.
Our Take
We think Veeam Data Cloud for Entra ID fits organizations that want identity backup without running infrastructure. Pricing starts at $1.08 per enabled member per month standalone, dropping to $0.70 in the Advanced plan that bundles M365 coverage. Three tiers, Foundation, Advanced, and Premium, offer flexibility depending on whether you need standalone Entra ID or combined protection.
Strengths
- Fully managed SaaS removes patching and infrastructure overhead
- Granular recovery works at the individual attribute level
- Unlimited storage with service-level immutability included
- Proactive change tracking surfaces directory drift early
- Three pricing tiers for standalone or bundled M365 coverage
Cautions
- Reviews flag licensing rules as confusing around user deletions
- Customers note larger restore jobs can run slower
AvePoint Cloud Backup for Entra ID
AvePoint Cloud Backup focuses on Microsoft Entra ID protection for organizations that want directory-specific backup rather than a broader workload suite. We think the item-level restore and indefinite retention model are the strongest selling points here. If your team needs to recover a single user, group, or policy without rolling forward a wider snapshot, AvePoint handles that well.
AvePoint Cloud Backup for Entra ID Key Features
AvePoint runs automatic backups up to four times a day with 100% data retention for as long as you need it, with no tiering or aging out. The item-level restore approach lets you pull back a single user, group, or conditional access policy without affecting broader configurations. Backup comparisons let you quickly identify changes in user permissions, which is useful for spotting where excessive permissions have been granted after an incident.
What Customers Say
Customers say ease of implementation is a recurring theme, with the wider AvePoint platform getting credit for straightforward setup and administration. Customer support and professional services come up positively, with several pointing to onboarding training as an asset. Public feedback specific to the Entra ID product itself remains limited, though the overall AvePoint platform earns strong marks.
Our Take
We think AvePoint makes sense if your team wants a focused identity backup tool with indefinite retention and no data aging. It fits well for organizations already running other AvePoint products, where you can extend existing licensing and admin patterns into directory protection. The backup comparison feature for spotting permission changes is a practical detail that adds real value during incident response.
Strengths
- Item-level restore for individual users, groups, and policies
- Indefinite retention with no data aging or expiration
- Automatic backups up to four times daily
- Backup comparisons identify permission changes quickly
Cautions
- Focused on Entra ID only, not a multi-workload option
- Pricing requires a direct quote
Barracuda Entra ID Backup
Barracuda Entra ID Backup pitches itself against Microsoft’s 30-day retention limit, offering unlimited storage and recovery to any point in time. We think the real selling point is the bundling: if you’re already running Barracuda’s Cloud-to-Cloud Backup for M365, Entra ID protection comes included at no extra cost. Barracuda has also launched an Entra ID Backup Premium tier for deeper coverage needs.
Barracuda Entra ID Backup Key Features
The standard tier backs up users, groups, roles, and administrative units with unlimited retention and AES-256 encryption in transit and at rest. The new Premium tier extends coverage to app registrations, audit logs, authentication method and strength policies, BitLocker keys, conditional access policies, device management, enterprise applications, and named locations. Deployment takes five minutes from sign-up to running your first backup, and the cloud-based UI handles backup management without dedicated admin overhead.
What Customers Say
Customers say dashboards are readable for non-specialists, and onboarding gets repeated mentions as straightforward across the wider Barracuda portfolio. Support and documentation help reduce the learning curve. Based on customer reviews, standalone pricing is reportedly less competitive than the bundled option. Public feedback specific to the Entra ID product itself remains limited.
Our Take
We think Barracuda Entra ID Backup makes the most sense for organizations already running Cloud-to-Cloud Backup for M365, where the directory protection comes bundled. The unlimited retention addresses a real Microsoft gap that affects every M365 customer. The new Premium tier fills coverage gaps around conditional access policies, BitLocker keys, and app registrations that the standard tier leaves exposed.
Strengths
- Unlimited retention closes Microsoft's 30-day gap
- Bundled free with Cloud-to-Cloud Backup for M365
- Premium tier adds conditional access, BitLocker, and app registrations
- Five-minute deployment from sign-up to first backup
Cautions
- Users report standalone pricing less competitive than bundled
- Public feedback specific to Entra ID product remains limited
CyberSentriq Entra ID Backup
CyberSentriq focuses on directory protection with immutable storage and granular recovery, aimed at ransomware-conscious teams and MSPs. We think the immutability angle and automated configuration change tracking are the real differentiators here. If your environment is complex enough to justify configuration tracking, this is worth a closer look.
CyberSentriq Entra ID Backup Key Features
Immutable backups resist tampering even after attackers reach admin credentials, which matters once a breach escalates to identity infrastructure. Automated change tracking compares tenant configurations against previous backup states to identify unauthorized or accidental changes quickly. Granular recovery covers users, groups, roles, admin units, and conditional access policies, not just full directory rollbacks. Four solution bundles, Comply, Protect, Shield, and Complete, let you match coverage to your risk profile.
What Customers Say
Customers say the support experience and knowledge base are standout assets, with fast restore performance getting repeated mentions. Several point to recovery speed as a significant operational improvement. According to customer feedback, the initial backup can take time on slower connections, though CyberSentriq mitigates this with an optional disk-shipping service. A few users have noted the platform isn’t always the cheapest option in the market.
Our Take
We think CyberSentriq makes sense if your team needs both ransomware-resilient backups and granular Entra ID rollback in one tool. The automated configuration change tracking gives you an audit trail that’s useful well beyond disaster recovery, it catches drift and misconfigurations before they become incidents. MSPs running multiple tenants get particular value from the centralized console.
Strengths
- Immutable backups resist tampering even after admin compromise
- Automated configuration tracking provides a directory audit trail
- Granular recovery covers users, groups, roles, and conditional access
- Four bundles let you match coverage to your risk profile
Cautions
- Customers note pricing isn't always the cheapest option
- Reviews mention initial backups take longer on slower connections
HYCU for Microsoft Entra ID
HYCU’s Entra ID backup sits inside a broader SaaS protection platform covering over 80 applications and cloud services, including Okta and M365. We think the one-click restore and backup assurance verification are the features that set HYCU apart. If your organization protects multiple SaaS platforms and wants one console, this is one of the cleaner consolidation plays available.
HYCU for Microsoft Entra ID Key Features
One-click restore lets you roll back an entire tenant or pull a specific element without scripting your way through recovery steps. Backup assurance checks that recovery actually works rather than just confirming a backup ran, which is a meaningful difference when you need to restore under pressure. Enhanced change data capture in 2026 reduces backup windows and resource utilization, and timestamp-based recovery lets you restore data to exactly how it was at any chosen point in time. HYCU also protects authentication methods stored in Entra ID, including MFA settings and user verification options.
What Customers Say
Customers say HYCU’s support is a recurring strength, with fast response and product expertise from technical staff getting repeated mentions. Setup gets credit for being quick when HYCU’s team is involved. Some customer reviews note that consumption-based pricing can be tricky to estimate without upfront planning. A few have flagged minor UI quirks across the platform, though these tend to be specific to non-Entra workloads.
Our Take
We think HYCU works best if your organization runs multiple SaaS platforms and wants one console covering Entra ID, Okta, and M365 protection. The unified view reduces context switching for security and IT teams. HYCU also offers lifetime free Entra ID protection, which is worth investigating if basic directory backup is your starting point.
Strengths
- One-click restore for tenants or individual elements
- Backup assurance verifies recovery viability, not just completion
- Single console covers Entra ID, Okta, and 80+ SaaS sources
- 2026 change data capture reduces backup windows
Cautions
- Customers note consumption-based pricing needs careful planning
- Backup quality depends partly on the underlying cloud storage
Keepit Backup and Recovery for Microsoft Entra ID
Keepit takes a different angle than most Entra ID backup vendors: storage runs on a vendor-independent cloud rather than a hyperscaler, which matters for organizations focused on digital sovereignty and supply chain risk. We think this architectural decision is the most distinct differentiator across the Entra ID backup market. Coverage also stretches beyond core Entra ID into Intune, BitLocker, and LAPS, with retention up to 99 years.
Keepit Backup and Recovery for Microsoft Entra ID Key Features
Keepit runs its own data center regions on its own hardware, with its own people managing the infrastructure. Backup data is stored in two mirrored data centers in the region of your choice, ensuring availability and sovereignty. This vendor-independent approach lets Keepit offer unlimited hot storage and predictable all-in pricing without hyperscaler pass-through costs. Coverage runs deep: users, groups, conditional access policies, application registrations, Intune compliance and device configuration policies, and BitLocker recovery keys.
What Customers Say
Customers say ease of use is the recurring theme, with several mentioning they can train colleagues quickly. Search-and-restore workflows get repeated mentions for being intuitive. Some customer reviews note that SIEM integration requires additional configuration to fully populate event data. A few users have flagged onboarding bumps with sales and support channels, though Keepit has reportedly addressed individual cases when raised.
Our Take
We think Keepit deserves a serious look if your organization operates under data sovereignty pressure, whether that’s EU regulation, supply chain de-risking, or industry-specific compliance. The vendor-independent storage angle is rare in this category and becomes a genuine architectural advantage for regulated environments. Three pricing tiers map cleanly to SMB, enterprise, and regulated-sector buyers.
Strengths
- Vendor-independent cloud on own hardware for sovereignty
- Coverage extends to Intune, BitLocker, and LAPS beyond core Entra ID
- Up to 99-year retention for the longest compliance requirements
- Unlimited hot storage with predictable all-in pricing
Cautions
- Reviews flag SIEM integration needs extra configuration
- Users report onboarding friction with sales and support channels
ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus
ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus protects Entra ID with a flexible storage model that lets you choose where backups live: on-premises, NAS, Azure Blob, Azure Files, AWS S3, Wasabi, or any S3-compatible repository. We think the storage flexibility and attribute-level restoration are the strongest selling points here. Most Entra ID backup vendors lock you into their cloud, but ManageEngine lets you keep backups close to your existing infrastructure.
ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus Key Features
Storage choice is the clear differentiator. You can store backups on-premises, on NAS, or distribute across Azure, AWS, Wasabi, and other S3-compatible services added in January 2026. Attribute and object-level restoration lets you undo a specific directory change without rolling back broader configurations. Backups compress to one-third of their original size, and immutable cloud repositories in Azure Blob, AWS S3, and Wasabi defend against ransomware. Role-based delegation with detailed audit reports gives security teams clear visibility into who restored what and when.
What Customers Say
Customers say the dashboard and interface are standouts, with the audit capability getting particular credit. Several point out the value of seeing Entra ID changes listed by date and time, useful when tracing when an attribute was removed or modified. Recovery operations work without restarting servers, which keeps disruption low during incident response. According to customer feedback, update frequency sometimes interrupts admin workflows, and notification profile configuration is less intuitive than the rest of the platform.
Our Take
We think RecoveryManager Plus suits organizations that want flexible storage placement and a strong audit trail for directory changes. If on-premises or hybrid storage is non-negotiable for your Entra ID backups, this is one of the few platforms that gives you that option. Teams already running other ManageEngine tools will find the integration story extends cleanly.
Strengths
- Storage choice across on-premises, NAS, Azure, AWS, Wasabi, and S3
- Attribute-level restoration enables surgical undo of directory changes
- Backup compression to one-third original size saves storage costs
- Role-based delegation with detailed audit reports
Cautions
- Users report update cadence sometimes interrupts workflows
- Customers note notification profiles are less intuitive to configure
How We Compared The Best Microsoft Entra ID Backup Solutions
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews cybersecurity and IT solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Our Editor’s Scores are based solely on product quality. Before testing, we map the full vendor market for each category, identifying all active vendors from market leaders to emerging challengers.
We evaluated eight Entra ID backup platforms for recovery granularity, retention flexibility, immutability, storage model options, compliance readiness, and how well each platform handles the edge cases that matter most during incident response. Each product was assessed through hands-on evaluation of recovery workflows, dashboard navigation, and backup configuration, alongside pricing model clarity.
Beyond hands-on evaluation, we conducted in-depth market research across the identity backup category and reviewed customer feedback, implementation guides, and compliance documentation to understand how platforms perform when your directory is compromised or misconfigured. We spoke with vendors to understand product architecture, storage models, and licensing structures. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products.
This guide is updated quarterly. For full details on our evaluation process, visit our How We Test & Review Products page.
What To Look For: Microsoft Entra ID Backup Solutions Checklist
Evaluating Entra ID backup platforms requires looking beyond storage claims to ask the right questions about how your directory actually recovers when something goes wrong. Here’s what actually matters:
Recovery Granularity: Can you restore a single user attribute without rolling back broader directory configurations? A specific conditional access policy without overwriting unrelated group memberships? The difference between attribute-level recovery and bulk object restore is the difference between a surgical fix and a disruptive rollback that creates new problems.
Immutability And Ransomware Resilience: Are backups truly immutable after creation, even if an attacker reaches your admin credentials? Some platforms claim immutability but leave windows where backups can be modified or deleted. Ask specifically whether admin-level access can touch backup data, and what the tamper protection model looks like at the infrastructure level.
Retention Model And Hidden Costs: What does unlimited retention actually mean in practice? Some platforms offer unlimited storage but tier access speeds or charge for long-term retrieval. Others age out older recovery points without making that visible in the licensing documentation. Get the full retention model in writing before you compare prices.
Storage Location And Sovereignty: Where do your Entra ID backups physically live? Can you choose the region, or are you locked into the vendor’s cloud infrastructure? Organizations operating under EU data sovereignty rules, industry-specific compliance frameworks, or supply chain de-risking requirements need explicit answers here, not assumptions.
Coverage Depth Beyond Core Entra ID Objects: Does the platform back up conditional access policies, admin unit configurations, application registrations, and audit logs, or just users and groups? Some platforms also extend coverage to Intune, BitLocker keys, and LAPS passwords. Know what your recovery scope actually includes before an incident reveals the gaps.
Configuration Change Tracking And Audit Trail: Can you trace when a specific attribute was modified, a policy was changed, or a role was assigned? Directory drift and misconfiguration are as common a recovery scenario as ransomware. A platform with automated change tracking gives you both a recovery point and an audit trail when something breaks.
Backup Frequency And RPO Reality: How often does the platform back up your directory? Some run continuous or near-continuous backups. Others run once or twice daily. For environments where directory changes happen constantly, the gap between backups is the gap in your recovery point objective. Validate the actual cadence against your tolerance for data loss.
Multi-Tenant And MSP Fit: If you manage multiple Entra ID tenants, does the platform give you a single console to monitor, manage, and recover across all of them? Multi-tenant visibility is the difference between a scalable managed service and a tool that requires separate logins per client.
Test your recovery process before you need it. A platform that backs up cleanly can still disappoint when you attempt a conditional access policy restore under pressure. Validate the full recovery workflow, not just the backup confirmation screen.
The Bottom Line
No single Entra ID backup platform fits every organization. Your choice depends on your recovery granularity requirements, storage sovereignty needs, existing vendor relationships, and whether you manage a single tenant or dozens.
If you are an MSP or mid-market team already running Datto tools, Datto Backup for Microsoft Entra ID delivers time-based restore, immutable cloud storage, and a single multi-tenant console with SOC, HIPAA, and GDPR alignment without adding a new vendor relationship.
If your organization wants fully managed identity backup without carrying operational infrastructure overhead, Veeam Data Cloud for Microsoft Entra ID delivers proactive change tracking, attribute-level recovery, and unlimited storage in a SaaS service your team does not need to patch or maintain.
If your priority is focused Entra ID protection with indefinite retention and no data aging, AvePoint Cloud Backup delivers item-level restore for individual users, groups, and policies with strong onboarding and professional services support for teams extending existing AvePoint licensing.
If you are already running Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup for M365 and want Entra ID protection without separate licensing overhead, Barracuda Entra ID Backup delivers unlimited retention and AES-256 encryption bundled into your existing contract at no extra cost.
If your team needs ransomware-resilient directory backups with automated configuration change tracking, CyberSentriq delivers immutable storage, granular recovery across conditional access policies and admin units, and a multi-tenant console built for MSPs managing several environments.
If your organization protects multiple SaaS platforms and wants one console covering Entra ID, Okta, and M365 backup without switching between tools, HYCU delivers one-click tenant and element restore with backup assurance verification that confirms recovery works, not just that a backup ran.
If your organization operates under data sovereignty pressure, is unwinding hyperscaler dependencies, or needs retention measured in decades rather than years, Keepit Backup and Recovery for Microsoft Entra ID delivers vendor-independent cloud storage with coverage extending to Intune, BitLocker keys, and LAPS passwords.
If your team needs flexible storage placement across on-premises and cloud repositories and a detailed audit trail for directory changes, ManageEngine RecoveryManager Plus delivers attribute-level recovery, role-based delegation, and storage options spanning NAS, Azure, AWS, and Wasabi without locking you into vendor infrastructure.
Read the individual reviews above to dig into recovery granularity, retention models, and pricing that matters for your environment.
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About Backups for Microsoft Entra ID (FAQs)
Entra ID is the foundation for user authentication and authorization across the Microsoft ecosystem. A backup ensures that access to applications and data remains available even in the event of a disaster or incident, preventing downtime and productivity loss.
Key Reasons for Backing Up Entra ID:
- Protect Critical Identity Data: Entra ID stores essential identity data, including user accounts, group memberships, application registrations, conditional access policies, role assignments, and device identities. Accidental deletions, malicious alterations, or corruption during system integrations or updates can render this data inaccessible. Without a backup, recovery is often time-consuming, incomplete, or impossible due to limited native restore capabilities in Entra ID.
- Mitigate Downtime Risks: If Entra ID data becomes unavailable, employees may lose access to essential resources, halting business operations. A robust backup ensures rapid recovery, minimizing operational disruptions and maintaining workforce productivity.
- Defend Against Cyberattacks: Attackers target Entra ID because compromising identity data can cripple an organization. Ransomware, data deletion, or unauthorized changes are common threats. Microsoft retains Entra ID data for only 30 days, and native recovery options are limited, making third-party backups essential to avoid paying ransom demands or facing prolonged recovery efforts.
- Shared Responsibility Model: Microsoft emphasizes that while they manage the Entra ID platform, customers are responsible for protecting their data. Microsoft recommends regular backups to ensure organizations can recover from data loss incidents independently.
- Compliance and Governance: Many industries require data retention and recovery capabilities to meet regulatory standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOC). Backups help organizations demonstrate compliance by ensuring identity data is recoverable and auditable.
An effective Entra ID backup strategy must encompass all critical components to enable comprehensive recovery. The following elements should be included:
- Users and Groups: User accounts, attributes (e.g., names, email addresses, MFA settings), and group memberships (including dynamic groups).
- Security and Conditional Access Policies: Policies governing authentication, access controls, and risk-based conditions.
- Application Registrations and Configurations: Enterprise applications, service principals, and their permissions, including API and OAuth settings.
- Device Identities: Managed and registered devices, including BitLocker recovery keys and compliance states.
- Directory Role Assignments: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) assignments, such as Global Administrator or Application Administrator roles.
- Administrative Units: Configurations for scoped administrative access.
- Audit and Sign-In Logs: Logs for tracking user activity and changes (where supported by backup solutions).
- Custom Domains: Domain configurations and DNS settings tied to Entra ID.
Backup frequency depends on the organization’s size, Entra ID usage, and risk profile. As a general rule:
- Daily Backups: Recommended for most organizations to capture frequent changes, such as user updates or policy modifications.
- Multiple Daily Backups: For high-transaction environments (e.g., large enterprises or those with frequent integrations), consider multiple incremental backups per day.
- Retention Periods: Retain backups for at least 30–90 days, aligning with compliance requirements or recovery needs. Long-term retention (e.g., 1–7 years) may be necessary for regulated industries.
Automated backup solutions are ideal for ensuring consistency and reducing administrative overhead. Manual backups are prone to errors and may not scale for complex Entra ID environments.
Microsoft Entra ID provides limited native recovery capabilities, which are insufficient for comprehensive data protection:
- 30-Day Soft Delete: Deleted users, groups, and applications are recoverable within 30 days, but only in specific scenarios and with limited granularity.
- No Full Restore: Native tools do not support point-in-time or granular restoration for all objects, such as conditional access policies or role assignments.
- Manual Recovery Challenges: Restoring data without a third-party solution requires manual reconfiguration, which is error-prone and time-consuming.
- No Protection Against Corruption: Native options do not address data corruption or malicious changes that go unnoticed within the 30-day window.
Third-party backup solutions bridge these gaps by offering automated, granular, and long-term recovery capabilities tailored to Entra ID.
To maximize the effectiveness of Entra ID backups, organizations should adopt the following best practices:
- Audit Backup Coverage: Regularly verify that all critical Entra ID components (users, policies, applications, etc.) are included in backups. Update backup scopes as new features or configurations are added.
- Encrypt Backups: Ensure backups are encrypted both in transit and at rest to protect sensitive identity data from unauthorized access.
- Secure Storage: Store backups in a separate, secure location (e.g., a different cloud tenant or isolated storage account) to prevent compromise during an attack on the primary Entra ID environment.
- Test Recovery Regularly: Conduct simulated recovery exercises to validate backup integrity and ensure recovery processes work as expected. Test both full and granular restores.
- Automate Backups: Use automated tools to schedule and manage backups, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring consistency.
- Integrate with Disaster Recovery Plans: Align Entra ID backups with broader disaster recovery and business continuity strategies, ensuring identity restoration is prioritized during outages.
- Monitor and Alert: Implement monitoring for backup failures or anomalies and set up alerts to address issues promptly.
- Document Recovery Procedures: Maintain clear, up-to-date documentation for recovery processes, including roles and responsibilities, to streamline operations during an incident.
- Stay Compliant: Ensure backup retention and recovery processes meet regulatory requirements, such as data residency or auditability standards.
- Choose a Reputable Backup Solution: Select a third-party backup provider with proven Entra ID expertise, robust security features, and compliance certifications.
Failing to back up Entra ID exposes organizations to significant risks:
- Prolonged Downtime: Without backups, recovering from data loss can take days or weeks, disrupting business operations.
- Financial Losses: Downtime, ransom payments, or regulatory fines can result in substantial costs.
- Data Loss: Permanent loss of critical identity data, such as user accounts or policies, may be unrecoverable after Microsoft’s 30-day retention period.
- Reputation Damage: Inability to restore access quickly can erode customer and employee trust.
Compliance Violations: Lack of recoverable data may lead to non-compliance with industry regulations, risking penalties.
Third-party backup solutions offer advanced features that complement and extend native Entra ID capabilities:
- Granular Recovery: Restore individual objects, such as a single user or policy, without affecting the entire tenant.
- Long-Term Retention: Store backups for months or years to meet compliance or audit requirements.
- Automated Scheduling: Eliminate manual processes with daily or incremental backups.
- Cross-Tenant Recovery: Restore data to a different Entra ID tenant for added flexibility during recovery.
- Enhanced Security: Provide encryption, secure storage, and role-based access controls for backups.
- Simplified Management: Offer user-friendly dashboards and reporting to monitor backup status and recovery operations.
Popular third-party solutions include Veeam, AvePoint, SkyKick, and Spanning, each with tailored features for Entra ID backup and recovery.
Written By
Mirren McDade is a senior writer and journalist at Expert Insights, spending each day researching, writing, editing and publishing content, covering a variety of topics and solutions, and interviewing industry experts.
She is an experienced copywriter with a background in a range of industries, including cloud business technologies, cloud security, information security and cyber security, and has conducted interviews with several industry experts.
Mirren holds a First Class Honors degree in English from Edinburgh Napier University.
Technical Review
Laura Iannini is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Expert Insights. With deep cybersecurity knowledge and strong research skills, she leads Expert Insights’ product testing team, conducting thorough tests of product features and in-depth industry analysis to ensure that Expert Insights’ product reviews are definitive and insightful.
Laura also carries out wider analysis of vendor landscapes and industry trends to inform Expert Insights’ enterprise cybersecurity buyers’ guides, covering topics such as security awareness training, cloud backup and recovery, email security, and network monitoring. Prior to working at Expert Insights, Laura worked as a Senior Information Security Engineer at Constant Edge, where she tested cybersecurity solutions, carried out product demos, and provided high-quality ongoing technical support.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida.