Your first-hour checklist
- Check the official Microsoft service-health page using your saved address and report your business impact to us.
- Tell staff through an agreed route that does not depend on Microsoft 365.
- Move calls and essential messaging to the fallback you have already tested.
- Use the independent backup portal to reach available files and recent email, where your configured service permits it.
- Use the email-filter portal to inspect incoming mail where your filtering arrangement provides that access.
- Keep a note of interrupted work and decisions for reconciliation later.
Download the printable one-page outage checklist (PDF).
Use only approved portal addresses. Do not follow unexpected sign-in links or install an unfamiliar tool because a message promises to fix the outage.
Prepare the routes before you need them
| Prepare | Check in advance |
|---|---|
| Contacts | Phone numbers and an offline copy of the essential plan |
| Independent access | Named people can reach the backup without the unavailable sign-in route |
| Portal permissions, incoming-mail availability and any reply limitations | |
| Phones | Diversion works without the failed service and staff know the fallback number |
| Reconciliation | Someone checks messages, records and temporary access after recovery |
The November 2026 example
Cloud Smart's dated outage account records that independent backup, available email portals and contracted monitoring helped clients with those services continue essential work during the disruption on 13 November 2026. Read Cloud Smart's dated outage account.
That is our account of the clients and services involved. It is not a live status feed, a finding about the cause or a statement that the incident has been resolved.
When service returns
Check missed enquiries and temporary records. Remove temporary access that is no longer needed. Review what worked and amend the plan rather than assume the next incident will behave in the same way.
What we can do for you
We help you agree priorities, document workarounds and check the recovery arrangements. Continuity planning is quoted as a fixed fee after a free 30 minute call. The technical fallbacks use our standard prices.
| Technical fallback | From per month, plus VAT |
|---|---|
| Independent Microsoft 365 backup | £2.50 per user, included as standard in support agreements |
| Email filtering | £1.50 per user, not needed as an additional filter with Microsoft 365 Premium |
| Server backup with cloud failover | £35 per server |
| Desktop and laptop backup | £10 per device |
| Business phone system | £11 per user |
Monthly starting prices exclude VAT and use a 3 year term billed monthly. Shorter terms cost a little more. Your price and the actual fallback arrangements are confirmed in a written quote.
Questions about this service
Does a backup keep every service running?
No. Backup provides a recovery copy. Alternative access, replacement equipment, staff instructions and decisions are separate parts of a continuity plan.
Will you guarantee a recovery time?
We agree targets after reviewing the systems, dependencies and test results. A planning target or example is not a contractual recovery guarantee.
Is security monitoring an out-of-hours helpdesk?
No. Our security partner's analysts provide the contracted 24x7 account monitoring. Normal support hours are Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:30, excluding UK bank holidays.
Where should we start?
Call 01494 866668 for a free 30 minute planning conversation. Describe the activity you could least afford to lose and the arrangements already in place.
Continuity tools
- Free business continuity plan template for small businesses
- How much does an hour of IT downtime cost your business?
- Find your single points of failure
Use these planning aids to prepare a conversation. Do not put passwords or confidential records in a worksheet.
Related information
Talk to us about your business
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