Accidental deletion
Recover protected historical data from backup when an item is no longer conveniently recoverable through normal user workflows.
WHY INDEPENDENT BACKUP
Native recovery is valuable. Independent backup adds another layer.
See how native Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace recovery tools differ from an independent backup and managed recovery service.
NATIVE RECOVERY VS. INDEPENDENT BACKUP
Both matter. They solve different recovery problems.
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace include valuable native recovery, retention, versioning, and eDiscovery capabilities. SecondSky does not replace those controls. It adds an independent backup copy and another recovery path for supported business data.
| Capability | Native Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace tools | SecondSky independent backup |
|---|---|---|
| Recently deleted items | Yes. Recovery windows and behavior vary by workload, configuration, retention policy, and administrator settings. | Recover protected data from an independent backup copy and historical backup points. |
| Retention & eDiscovery | Microsoft Purview and Google Vault can preserve supported data for governance, legal, and compliance purposes when configured. | Backup retention is designed for operational recovery. Backup snapshots and item versions are retained indefinitely by default unless a custom retention policy is configured. |
| Independent backup copy | Native retention and recycle-bin features operate within the production cloud service and are not a separate third-party backup copy. | Yes. SecondSky adds a separate backup and recovery layer for supported cloud data. |
| Historical versions / recovery points | Available capabilities vary by workload and configured retention/versioning. | Historical backup snapshots and item versions are maintained according to the configured backup retention policy. |
| Departed-user data | Subject to the source platform's user lifecycle, licensing, retention, and administrator configuration. | Protected resources can be archived after they leave the source environment so historical backup data can remain available for recovery. |
| Granular recovery | Native recovery capabilities vary by workload. | Granular recovery is available for supported items such as individual messages, files, folders, contacts, calendar items, and broader protected resources. |
| Operational monitoring | Your organization administers its native recovery and retention configuration. | Managed and Assurance plans add SecondSky backup monitoring and recovery assistance. |
| Recovery testing & reporting | Native tools provide platform-specific controls; recovery validation remains an operational responsibility. | Backup Assurance adds scheduled non-destructive recovery testing, a monthly Backup Assurance Report, and documented recovery-test results. |
Important: Native recovery windows and capabilities vary by workload, licensing, retention configuration, administrator settings, and provider changes. SecondSky avoids reducing Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace recovery to a single number because that would not accurately describe either platform.
WHERE INDEPENDENT BACKUP HELPS
A separate copy changes the recovery dependency.
Ransomware or malicious deletion
Maintain a recovery path outside the production Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace tenant for supported protected data.
Departed employees
Archive protected former-user data without keeping a productivity license solely to preserve the backup copy.
Operational assurance
Add SecondSky monitoring, assisted recovery, and scheduled recovery validation depending on the service level you choose.