With the rapid adoption of cloud-based identity management, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) has become a critical component of enterprise IT infrastructure. It serves as the backbone for authentication, access control and identity management. However, relying solely on Microsoft’s built-in redundancy is not enough, organizations need a dedicated backup strategy to prevent accidental deletions, security breaches and compliance risks. This is where Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 comes into play.
Why Backup Microsoft Entra ID?
Many assume that cloud-based services like Microsoft Entra ID are inherently protected, but in reality, data loss can occur due to:
- Accidental deletions (e.g., users, groups or policies removed unintentionally)
- Malicious attacks (e.g., ransomware, insider threats, account compromise)
- Configuration errors (e.g., policy misconfigurations leading to access loss)
- Retention policy gaps (Microsoft’s default retention does not guarantee long-term recovery)
A reliable backup solution ensures that critical identity data is protected, recoverable and compliant with business continuity needs.
Key Features of Veeam for Microsoft Entra ID
Veeam extends its backup capabilities to Entra ID ensuring that identity-related data is securely stored and quickly restorable. The main features include:
Backup of Entra ID Objects
Veeam allows administrators to back up:
- Users and groups (including role assignments and security group memberships)
- Devices (ensuring seamless recovery of endpoint identities)
- Application registrations (OAuth apps, service principals and API permissions)
- Conditional access policies (retaining security rules for compliance)
- Directory settings (ensuring a rollback option for identity configurations)
Granular and Full Recovery Options
- Restore individual users, groups, or settings without impacting the entire directory.
- Perform full recovery in case of widespread data loss.
- Export backed-up data for compliance and auditing.
Flexible Storage Options
- Store backups on-premises, private cloud or public cloud (AWS, Azure or object storage).
- Support for long-term retention policies to meet compliance requirements.
Security and Compliance
- End-to-end encryption to protect backup data from unauthorized access.
- Immutable storage to prevent accidental or malicious deletions.
- Role-based access controls (RBAC) for managing backup permissions.
How Veeam Works with Microsoft Entra ID
Veeam integrates with Microsoft Graph API to securely access Entra ID data. The process includes:
Connecting to Microsoft Entra ID – Veeam connects to Microsoft 365 and retrieves Entra ID data via secure API calls.
Backing Up Data – Selected users, groups, policies and configurations are backed up to a secure location.
Retention Management – Configurable policies allow businesses to retain backups for months or years.
Recovery When Needed – In case of accidental deletions or security breaches, administrators can restore identities instantly.
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