Why 85% of Microsoft Users Risk Data Loss Today
Why 85% of Microsoft Users Face Data Compromise and How to Fix It
With millions of businesses relying on Microsoft 365 for communication, collaboration, and daily operations, the security of stored data has never been more important. Yet studies show that over 85% of Microsoft users experience some form of data compromise, including accidental deletion, unauthorized access, ransomware attacks, and misconfigured settings.
Despite Microsoft’s strong platform security, many organizations mistakenly assume their data is fully protected when in reality, Microsoft’s shared responsibility model places much of the burden on the user. Without the right safeguards, businesses risk losing critical emails, files, user accounts, documents, and operational data.
This article explains why such a large percentage of Microsoft users face data compromise—and what your organization can do to prevent it.
The Real Reason Microsoft Users Experience Data Compromise
Microsoft secures its infrastructure, but users are responsible for safeguarding their own data. This includes:
Backups and retention
Access controls
Identity protection
User activity monitoring
Recovery readiness
When organizations overlook any of these responsibilities, data becomes vulnerable.
Here are the most common causes of compromise.
1. Accidental Deletion and Human Error
Human error is the leading cause of data loss. Users unintentionally delete:
Emails
Files
OneDrive folders
SharePoint sites
Teams messages
Once Microsoft’s limited retention periods expire, this data may be unrecoverable.
2. Ransomware and Malware Attacks
Ransomware infections can sync encrypted or corrupted files across OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint. While Microsoft provides some protection, it cannot always restore data to a clean, pre-attack state especially when infections spread quickly.
3. Insider Threats and Misuse
Disgruntled or departing employees may delete data intentionally. Sometimes, users with excessive permissions modify documents or settings without realizing the consequences.
4. Misconfigurations in Security and Access Settings
Improperly configured:
Conditional access
MFA
Sharing permissions
Admin privileges
Guest access
can expose sensitive data externally or internally, allowing unintended access.
5. Lack of Dedicated Backups
Microsoft 365 does not provide a true backup system. Recycle bins and retention policies are not substitutes for:
Point-in-time recovery
Long-term archiving
Granular item restoration
Immutable backup copies
Without dedicated backup tools, Microsoft users often cannot restore lost data.
6. Poor Visibility Into User Activity
Unauthorized access often goes unnoticed because many organizations do not monitor:
Login patterns
File downloads
External sharing
Admin actions
This lack of oversight increases the risk of prolonged security incidents.
How to Prevent Data Compromise in Microsoft 365
The good news is that every major cause of compromise can be fixed with the right processes and technology.
1. Implement a Dedicated Backup Solution
A proper backup platform provides:
Full Microsoft 365 backup (Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams)
Point-in-time restores
Long-term retention for compliance
Protection from ransomware and corruption
This is the most critical step for preventing permanent data loss.
2. Enforce Identity and Access Controls
Use these best practices:
Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Strong password policies
Conditional access rules
Least privilege permissions
Access reviews for all admin roles
These measures prevent unauthorized access and misuse.
3. Enable Security Monitoring and Alerts
Monitor for unusual or high-risk activity, such as:
Sign-ins from new locations
Suspicious file downloads
Excessive sharing
Failed login attempts
Early detection prevents widespread compromise.
4. Strengthen Endpoint Protection
Because ransomware often enters through user devices, ensure that all endpoints have:
Updated antivirus
Zero-trust access controls
Minimum security baselines
Disk encryption
Healthy endpoints reduce platform-wide risk.
5. Train Users on Security Awareness
Most data compromise originates from avoidable mistakes. Regular user training reduces risk more than any technical tool.
How Epis Technology Helps Protect Microsoft Users from Data Compromise
Epis Technology specializes in designing secure, compliant, and resilient data protection solutions for Microsoft 365 environments. The company deploys enterprise-grade backup systems that create point-in-time, encrypted, and easily recoverable copies of your emails, SharePoint libraries, Teams data, and OneDrive files. Epis Technology also configures identity protection, access controls, security monitoring, and automated compliance policies to reduce the likelihood of compromise. With continuous optimization, restore testing, and security oversight, Epis Technology ensures your Microsoft 365 data remains protected, recoverable, and fully aligned with modern cybersecurity and regulatory standards.
Protect Your Microsoft 365 Data Before It’s Too Late
With 85% of users experiencing some form of compromise, it is clear that Microsoft 365 security requires more than platform defaults. Organizations must take a proactive role in backup, monitoring, access control, and user awareness.
By implementing the right safeguards and partnering with experts when needed businesses can protect their data, avoid costly incidents, and maintain full operational continuity.
About Epis Technology
Epis Technology provides enterprise IT infrastructure, Synology consulting, and cloud data protection solutions for organizations of all sizes. The company specializes in backup solutions for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, hybrid cloud architectures, Synology NAS deployments, and disaster recovery planning. Through professional configuration, ongoing optimization, security hardening, and monitoring, Epis Technology ensures that business data remains secure, compliant, and always recoverable.