Microsoft’s decision to eliminate passwords for over a billion users heralds a bold step into the future of digital security. The passwordless world promises reduced vulnerability to traditional attacks like phishing and credential theft. But with innovation comes complexity—and new risks.
As we embrace this shift, the question isn’t just about going passwordless. It’s about how businesses can build resilience in their identity systems to weather the unexpected. When identity systems fail, the fallout ripples through everything—from access to applications to business continuity itself.
The problem: New risks in a passwordless world
No passwords, no problems? Not quite. Moving away from passwords is like upgrading from a padlock to biometric security. It’s more secure but also makes identity systems an even juicier target for cybercriminals. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), which underpins so many businesses’ IT infrastructures, is already grappling with unprecedented levels of attacks—from phishing to token theft.
Add to this the fact that built-in protections for Entra ID leave critical gaps. Microsoft offers limited backup and recovery capabilities, no long-term retention, and a lack of tools for granular restoration. This raises a crucial question: if an attack compromises your identity system, how quickly—and fully—can you bounce back?
What every business should consider
For businesses navigating this new era, it’s essential to go beyond baseline protections. The passwordless shift calls for a layered defence strategy that prevents breaches and ensures rapid recovery when the unexpected happens.
Key considerations include:
- Immutable backups: Protect your Entra ID data against tampering or accidental deletion.
- Granular recovery options: Avoid system-wide disruption by restoring only what’s necessary.
- Historical retention: Meet compliance needs and aid in breach investigations with extended or unlimited data retention.
- Rapid response capabilities: When downtime isn’t an option, speed matters.
Preparing for the future
A compromised identity system isn’t just an IT problem—it’s a business continuity crisis. Lost productivity, missed opportunities, and potential reputational damage can add up quickly. That’s why businesses must partner with IT providers who offer robust solutions tailored to this challenge.
Whether you’re recovering from a cyberattack, addressing accidental misconfigurations, or mitigating insider threats, having a dependable backup and recovery solution can make all the difference.
The role of Entra ID Backup in your strategy
Microsoft’s passwordless vision is exciting but not a magic bullet. Resilience comes from preparation, and preparation means taking proactive steps to protect your identity system. Redstor’s Entra ID Backup ensures you’re ready for what’s next, with the tools to restore, recover, and move forward—no matter what.
By building identity resilience today, you’re not just keeping up with change. You’re staying ahead of it.
Alex Brown
Chief Product & Technology Officer, Redstor