Cloud platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace have become business essentials. They make it easy to collaborate, stay productive from anywhere, and keep your team connected.
But here’s what many businesses get wrong: just because your data is in the cloud doesn’t mean it’s backed up.
It’s a common assumption, and a dangerous one.
These tools are built for accessibility and uptime, not for long-term data recovery. If something is deleted, overwritten, or encrypted by malware, you may be out of luck unless you’ve set up a proper backup system.
Cloud Storage Is Not Cloud Backup
Microsoft and Google are responsible for their infrastructure. That means making sure the servers stay online and your files are available. But they are not responsible for the data inside your account. If it’s lost due to user error, cyberattack, or accidental deletion, recovery options are limited, and often time-bound.
Here’s what that means in real terms:
- Deleted files and emails don’t last forever.
Google Drive deletes trashed files after 30 days. Microsoft’s OneDrive and SharePoint retain deleted items for about 93 days. After that, recovery is no longer possible through native tools. - Version history isn’t a catch-all.
If someone overwrites a document or syncs a corrupted file, version history might help, but only if the mistake is caught quickly. If weeks or months go by, it may be too late. - Syncing can work against you.
If a local machine is hit with ransomware and cloud sync is enabled, the encrypted files can be uploaded automatically, replacing the clean originals.
These platforms were designed for productivity, not for comprehensive data protection.
Most Data Loss Isn’t from Hackers, It’s from Your Own Team
Human error is still the leading cause of data loss. A few common examples we see:
- An employee deletes a folder they think is outdated
- Someone accidentally overwrites an important spreadsheet
- Files get dragged into the wrong location and are nearly impossible to find
- A departing team member’s account is deleted, along with all their documents and shared links
These are everyday mistakes, not rare scenarios. And the built-in tools in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace aren’t designed to help you recover from them long-term.
What Real Backup Actually Looks Like
A proper cloud backup doesn’t just duplicate your files. It creates an independent, secure archive of your data, stored outside your live environment, so that you can recover what you need, when you need it.
That includes:
- Emails, files, folders, and calendar items
- Complete user profiles, including shared drive content
- Older versions of files and data beyond the default retention window
- Fast restore options, whether you’re recovering a single email or a whole account
These are the kinds of protections that Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace simply don’t include out of the box. They require separate, dedicated backup solutions.
LDTech Covers What the Cloud Doesn’t
At LDTech, we help businesses protect their cloud environments with reliable, independently managed backup solutions. We integrate directly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, giving you peace of mind that your data is protected, even from the things the platforms themselves don’t cover.
So whether it’s recovering a file from last year or restoring an entire account after ransomware hits, you’re never starting from scratch.
Don’t Wait to Find Out You’re Unprotected
Using cloud platforms is smart. Relying on them alone to safeguard your data? That’s a gamble.
Let’s make sure your business has a true backup strategy in place, one that covers the gaps your cloud provider can’t. Contact LDTech today to talk through your options and put a real safety net around your cloud data.
