Hornetsecurity 365 Total Backup: Now Even Stronger with Entra ID Users and Groups Backup & Recovery
Hornetsecurity 365 Total Backup is a robust, automated backup and recovery service designed specifically for Microsoft 365 environments.
In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud security and data protection, Hornetsecurity has once again raised the bar for Microsoft 365 users.
On February 16, 2026, the company announced a significant update to its 365 Total Backup solution, introducing comprehensive backup and recovery capabilities for Entra ID Users and Groups.
This enhancement addresses a critical gap in identity management protection, empowering organizations to safeguard their user identities and group structures against data loss, accidental deletions, or cyber threats.
Understanding Hornetsecurity 365 Total Backup
Hornetsecurity 365 Total Backup is a robust, automated backup and recovery service designed specifically for Microsoft 365 environments.
It provides seamless integration with key Microsoft services, including mailboxes (with In-Place Archive support), Teams Chats, Planner, OneNote, OneDrive for Business, and SharePoint document libraries. Backups run multiple times daily, offering unlimited storage and flexible retention periods to meet compliance standards like ISO 27001 and GDPR.
Key features include granular restoration options, where administrators can recover specific files, emails, or entire mailboxes from any point in time. End users benefit from self-service recovery through the Hornetsecurity User Panel for their personal data in mailboxes, OneDrive, and OneNote. Security is paramount, with ransomware protection via independent infrastructure, immutable backups encrypted using AES 256-bit keys, and a four-eye approval process for sensitive operations to prevent unauthorized changes.
The solution also supports multi-tenant management from a central console, auto-provisioning of new users, and detailed auditing of account activities. All this comes under an all-inclusive fee, covering storage, support, and expert management of any backup failures.
The Game-Changing Addition: Entra ID Users and Groups Support
The latest update introduces backup and restore functionality for Entra ID Users and Groups, including their metadata and relationships to other Entra ID entities. This means organizations can now protect critical identity data, such as user profiles, group memberships, and associated roles, ensuring business continuity even in the face of identity-related disruptions.
Administrators have flexible restore options: They can recover one, multiple, or all users and groups directly back to the original Entra ID within the same Microsoft 365 organization. Alternatively, data can be exported as a ZIP archive containing JSON files for offline use or migration. During restoration, the system automatically generates and displays User Principal Names (UPNs) for users and nicknames for groups if conflicts exist, allowing manual edits for customization. For user restores, new passwords are auto-generated, with options to change or regenerate them as needed.
This feature integrates with the Backup Pilot, enabling granular auto-backup configurations for newly discovered workloads like Entra ID. The update also brings a redesigned dashboard with an Advanced view, providing detailed statistics on workload health, configuration status, and protection states for Entra ID and other services. Overall, the interface has been modernized for better usability, making it easier to monitor and manage backups.
To visualize the enhanced dashboard:
Step-by-Step: Restoring Entra ID Data
Restoring Entra ID Users and Groups is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s how it works:
- Launch 365 Total Backup, navigate to the Restore tab, and select Entra ID.
- Choose the relevant Microsoft 365 Organization.
- Select the specific Users and/or Groups you wish to restore.
- Pick the desired Restore Point from available backups.
- Decide on the Restore Destination:
- Original M365 Organization: Restore items directly to Entra ID. Set passwords, modify names or UPNs, and toggle options like Keep Relationships to preserve role assignments. Confirm and proceed, storing any new passwords securely.
- ZIP Archive: Export to a password-protected ZIP file. Select the account to receive the download link, then confirm the restore.
This process ensures quick recovery with minimal downtime, and the assisted restore features help avoid conflicts in existing environments.
For a glimpse into the granular restore interface, similar to what’s used for other workloads:
Why This Matters: Benefits for Businesses
In an era where identity theft and ransomware attacks are rampant, protecting Entra ID data is no longer optional—it’s essential. This update strengthens 365 Total Backup by extending its ransomware-proof, immutable storage to identity management, reducing the risk of operational halts due to lost or corrupted user data. Organizations gain peace of mind with automated, compliant backups that cover the full spectrum of Microsoft 365, from emails to identities.
Moreover, the enhanced dashboard and auto-provisioning features streamline administration, saving time for IT teams. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, this capability ensures faster recovery from incidents, improved compliance, and greater control over your cloud ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
Hornetsecurity’s commitment to innovation is evident in this release, making 365 Total Backup an even more indispensable tool for Microsoft 365 security. As cyber threats evolve, solutions like this provide the resilience needed to stay ahead. If you’re already using Hornetsecurity services, check your dashboard for the update; new users can explore the all-inclusive model to protect their data comprehensively.
