Most Businesses Think They Have Backups.
Many Don't Have Recovery.
The difference between storing data and actually being able to restore it under pressure is everything. IT Works MSP provides tested, proven recovery with a 4-hour RTO so you're protected from ransomware, hardware failure, and human error.
RTO/RPO explained in plain English
Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
How fast your business can be operational again after an outage. Lower RTO means less lost productivity and revenue.
Recovery Point Objective (RPO)
How much recent data loss is acceptable. Lower RPO means more frequent backups and tighter recovery windows.
What happens when disaster strikes
Incident detected
Backup integrity verified
Core systems restored
Business operations resume
The Backup vs. Recovery Reality Check
Having backups isn't enough. You need to know they work.
Backup is Duplication
Creating copies of your data on multiple systems or cloud locations. It's necessary but incomplete.
- Daily or hourly snapshots
- Multiple copies stored
- Encryption in transit and at rest
Recovery is Operational
The ability to restore your systems and data to a working state in minutes, not days.
- Tested recovery procedures
- Fast RTO (4 hours)
- Minimal data loss (RPO)
Resilience is Assurance
Knowing your recovery will work because you've actually tested it under realistic conditions.
- Monthly test recoveries
- Documentation of results
- Confidence when crisis hits
The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy
The gold standard for backup resilience, explained simply.
3 Copies of Your Data
One original, plus two backups. If one backup fails, you still have redundancy. This protects against hardware failure and single-point failure.
2 Different Media Types
Don't store all backups the same way. Mix cloud (offsite) and local. This protects against format obsolescence and geographic disaster.
1 Offline Copy
At least one backup is completely disconnected from the network. Ransomware can't encrypt what it can't reach. This is your insurance policy.
Our Backup & Disaster Recovery Services
Comprehensive protection for every part of your IT environment.
Endpoint Backup
Protect every laptop, desktop, and workstation. Hourly backups with file-level recovery so users don't lose work.
Microsoft 365 Backup
Microsoft doesn't back up your M365 data. We do. Full backup of Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive with granular recovery options.
Server & Cloud Backup
Complete backup of on-premise and cloud servers. Database-aware backups that preserve application state for faster recovery.
Disaster Recovery Planning
Work with us to define RTO/RPO targets, map critical systems, and build a recovery playbook specific to your business.
Recovery Testing
Monthly test recoveries on a sandbox environment. We verify data integrity, document results, and refine procedures continuously.
Ransomware Recovery
Specialized procedures to isolate infected systems and restore from clean backups. Prevention built in, but recovery is what saves you.
Why Tested Backup Matters
A backup you haven't tested is hope, not a plan.
You Actually Know What Works
Most businesses discover their backups don't work when they try to use them. By then it's too late. We test monthly so you know for certain.
RTO Is Real, Not Optimistic
Our 4-hour RTO is based on actual test recoveries, not vendor promises. You know exactly how long recovery will take.
Your Team Knows the Procedure
Recovery testing isn't about backups it's about training. Your staff practices the recovery procedure before a real incident.
Reduces Downtime Costs
Every hour of downtime costs your business. A 4-hour RTO instead of 24 hours saves thousands. Tested recovery is faster recovery.
The M365 Backup Misconception
One of the costliest myths in IT.
Microsoft Provides Redundancy, Not Backup
Microsoft 365 stores your data in geographically redundant datacenters. This protects against a single server failure. It does not protect against:
- Accidental deletion (gone after 93 days in M365 retention)
- Ransomware or malware infection
- Malicious insider access
- Compliance holds or retention policy issues
You own the data. You manage the backup. We handle it for you with M365-native tools and cloud backup solutions.
Exchange Online Backup
Backup of all mailboxes, shared mailboxes, and archive data with item-level recovery for accidentally deleted emails.
SharePoint & OneDrive Backup
Complete backup of document libraries, team sites, and personal cloud storage with version control and granular recovery.
Teams Backup
Backup of Teams data including channel messages, conversations, and shared files. Often overlooked until it's critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
RTO (Recovery Time Objective) is how quickly you can restore your systems after an incident. RPO (Recovery Point Objective) is how much data you're willing to lose, measured in time. IT Works MSP provides a 4-hour RTO and daily backup intervals, meaning you recover in 4 hours with less than 24 hours of potential data loss.
Yes. This is one of the biggest misconceptions. Microsoft doesn't back up your M365 data by default. You own the data, but Microsoft only provides redundancy within their infrastructure. If you delete files, they're gone after 93 days. Ransomware or accidental deletion requires a separate backup solution.
IT Works MSP tests backups monthly to ensure they're actually recoverable. A backup that hasn't been tested is just hope. We verify file integrity, test restore procedures, and document recovery times.
Our backup strategy includes offline backups that ransomware cannot encrypt or delete. We can isolate infected systems, restore from clean backups, and have you operational again within hours, not days. Prevention through monitoring is built in, but recovery capability is your insurance policy.
Backup and disaster recovery is part of comprehensive managed IT. Monitoring, updates, and security are preventive. Backup and recovery are protective. Together they keep you operational.
Backup and disaster recovery pricing depends on your data size, recovery requirements, and business criticality. Typically $100-$200/user/month. We'll assess your specific needs and provide a custom quote.
Know Your Recovery Will Work
Schedule a free assessment. We'll audit your current backup strategy, identify gaps, and build a recovery plan specific to your business.
Start Your Backup Assessment
Tell us about your environment and we'll recommend the right backup strategy.