Azure simplifies cloud infrastructure management by offering built-in backup for many of its services. However, this convenience can lead to a costly assumption: that all resources, including Virtual Machines (VMs), are automatically protected. In reality, Azure does not provide default backup for VMs. Without deliberate configuration, businesses risk permanent data loss if a VM becomes compromised, corrupted, or deleted.
A client approached Visus, LLC after realizing their Azure Virtual Machines were operating without backup protection—leaving their systems vulnerable. We quickly assessed the environment and implemented Azure Backup, a native solution accessible via the Backup and disaster recovery menu in the Azure Portal.
Azure Backup offers two policy options—Standard and Enhanced. For this client, we implemented the Enhanced policy, which supports multiple instant recovery snapshots per day and 30 days of daily backup retention. The solution also enabled long-term retention and selective disk backup, giving the client the flexibility to tailor protection to their operational needs while optimizing storage costs.
This proactive approach transformed the client's risk profile. By enabling point-in-time recovery and aligning the backup schedule with business requirements, the solution ensured continuity in the event of failure. The modest cost of maintaining the Recovery Services vault stood in sharp contrast to the potential expense and disruption of re-creating a lost VM from scratch.
For any organization running critical workloads in Azure, assuming backup is in place can lead to serious consequences. Azure Backup provides the tools to protect valuable infrastructure—if they are used. Visus, LLC helps businesses avoid assumptions, close gaps, and build resilience into their cloud strategies.