The recycle bin is not a backup

Storage and backup

Storage is where your files live. A backup is a separate, dated copy you can restore when the original is lost, overwritten or encrypted by ransomware. Online office plans sell storage first.

Three cases where the recycle bin is not enough

• A synced deletion. A folder deleted on one computer disappears everywhere, and the recycle bin empties after a delay set by the provider.
• Ransomware. Encrypted files replace the good ones, and sync faithfully copies them.
• A departure. An employee’s account is deleted, and their email and files with it.

At Microsoft

Microsoft 365 Backup exists, but it is billed separately, by usage: ≈ 0.15 USD per GB per month, at the rate Microsoft published in October 2026. It is not included in Business Standard.

At Google

Google Vault is for retention and legal search. It is not a backup, and it is not included in Business Standard.

Questions to ask your provider

1. Is my data copied somewhere other than the main system?
2. How far back can I go?
3. Who does the restore, how fast, and is it included in the price?

At TSI

Backups are automatic, encrypted and included in the price. They are made with restic, free software: nothing proprietary stands between you and your data, and when you leave we hand you a full export, at no charge.