In a significant move to bolster cyber resilience for Microsoft 365 users, Rubrik and Sophos have announced a strategic partnership aimed at delivering an integrated backup and recovery solution. This collaboration introduces "Sophos M365 Backup and Recovery Powered by Rubrik," marking the first Managed Detection and Response (MDR)-optimized Microsoft 365 backup and recovery solution fully integrated into Sophos Central, Sophos’ security operations platform.

The partnership addresses the escalating threat landscape where Microsoft 365 environments are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks. Recent research indicates that 60% of Microsoft 365 tenants have experienced account takeovers, and 81% have encountered email compromise. These statistics underscore the urgent need for robust data protection measures.

Sophos M365 Backup and Recovery Powered by Rubrik offers several key features:

  • Secure, Immutable Backups: Rubrik isolates Microsoft 365 backups with air-gapped storage, Write Once Read Many (WORM) locks, and customer-held encryption keys. Multifactor authentication and data lock mechanisms prevent tampering, even if credentials are compromised.

  • Fast, Flexible Recovery: Users can restore Microsoft 365 emails, OneDrives, SharePoint sites, Teams channels, and more to original or alternate users, including inactive accounts.

  • Automated Protection: Rubrik automatically discovers Microsoft 365 users, sites, and mailboxes, applies Entra ID-based policies, and supports delegated administration—all integrated with Sophos Central to reduce manual effort.

  • Unified Experience: Microsoft 365 protection and security operations are managed via Sophos Central without the need for additional tools.

This integrated solution is particularly beneficial for Sophos' extensive customer base, which includes over 75,000 MDR and XDR clients. By combining Sophos' prevention-first approach with Rubrik's recovery capabilities, organizations are empowered to withstand attacks and maintain continuity under pressure.

The offering will be available through Sophos’ channel partner network in the coming months, providing organizations with a powerful tool to enhance their cyber resilience against evolving threats.