Estimated Reading Time: 2 Minutes
Table of Contents
It was supposed to be a simple task. An MSP administrator receives a request from a client: “Can you update our employee access permissions? Here’s the CSV file with the changes.”
Following best practices, the MSP runs a PowerShell script to bulk update user roles and group assignments in Microsoft Entra ID. But minutes later, the phone rings. The CSV file contained errors. Dozens of users now have incorrect permissions, some are locked out, and worse—security-sensitive roles have been assigned to the wrong people.
In an on-prem Active Directory setup, a previous system backup might allow for a quick rollback. But in Microsoft Entra ID, there is no “undo” button.
So what now?
Why Entra ID Is Especially Vulnerable to Human Error
Human mistakes happen in IT management every day. While some platforms offer rollback features, Microsoft Entra ID does not provide native backup and restore functionality for most configurations.
This means that if an MSP or IT admin makes an incorrect change, they are left with three inefficient recovery options:
- Manual correction – Hunting through logs to track changes and manually reversing them. This can take hours or even days for complex environments.
- Recreating access settings from memory – A risky and error-prone approach, often leading to security gaps or access issues.
- Waiting for a solution that doesn’t exist – Microsoft only retains deleted objects for 30 days, and there’s no built-in way to restore prior group memberships, role assignments, or policies.
This is a major reason why MSPs need Entra ID backup—it’s no longer just about protecting email or files. Identity configuration is now a core part of business continuity.
For organizations reliant on Microsoft 365 and Entra ID, misconfiguration can disrupt business-critical applications, leading to lost productivity, security risks, and financial costs.
How to Protect Against Human Error in Entra ID
The best way to mitigate human error is not to rely on damage control but to have a comprehensive backup strategy in place.
Automate backups – Ensure identity configurations are backed up daily, eliminating the risk of permanent data loss.
Enable rapid restores – Recover previous user permissions, group memberships, and security settings with one-click restoration.
Minimize downtime – Avoid long troubleshooting processes by immediately rolling back unwanted changes.
With Dropsuite’s Entra Backup solution, MSPs can confidently protect their clients’ identity infrastructure, ensuring smooth business operations—even when mistakes happen.
It’s part of a broader approach to secure identity and risk management in Microsoft Entra that forward-thinking MSPs are adopting to differentiate themselves and deliver proactive protection.
Learn more about Dropsuite’s Entra Backup today or start a free NFR trial.
Contact Us | Try It Free
