Portland Timbers protected data without matchday downtime.
Unified backup and a hardened Microsoft 365 environment helped a pro sports organization protect critical data while keeping stadium, team, and business operations moving.
The Timbers needed a simpler, stronger way to protect Microsoft 365 data, backup systems, support hybrid work, and reduce disaster recovery risk. Covenant helped consolidate protection, harden the Microsoft environment, and create a more resilient operating model.
Case study snapshot
The challenge
As the Timbers’ IT environment grew, legacy backup and security tools could not keep pace with a year-round sports organization.
Disconnected tools added complexity
Multiple backup systems created more overhead, slower reporting, and less visibility for the IT team.
Cloud data needed protection
Microsoft 365 data still needed backup under the shared responsibility model, including protection from accidental deletion and loss.
Access was not consistent everywhere
Stadium, business, and remote teams needed security and access controls that worked across different work environments.
Disaster recovery needed to be stronger
Limited disaster recovery increased the risk that a disruption could affect critical matchday operations.
Manual processes consumed IT time
The team needed less administrative overhead and more efficient ways to manage protection and reporting.
Reporting had to support risk conversations
Cyber insurance, audit readiness, and risk assessments required clearer, faster reporting from one place.
Why Covenant
The Timbers needed a partner who could understand Microsoft, backup, security, and the pressure of high-visibility operations.
Why Covenant: Through the Acronis #TeamUp Program, the Timbers chose Covenant as a Microsoft-centered, Oregon-based partner that understands fast-paced organizations where downtime is visible, risk matters, and the technology team needs tools that simplify work rather than add more of it.
What Covenant did
The work centered on unified backup, cloud disaster recovery, Microsoft 365 hardening, and simpler management for the IT team.
Deployed Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud
Covenant centralized backup protection across Microsoft 365, virtual servers, and on-premises environments.
Added cloud disaster recovery
Cloud-based disaster recovery and rapid failover reduced downtime risk during critical stadium and matchday operations.
Hardened the Microsoft environment
Fortify strengthened Microsoft 365 against phishing, account compromise, and common identity-based risk.
Improved access governance
MFA and identity governance were aligned to Microsoft Zero Trust principles to better protect users and accounts.
Automated compliance reporting
Backup and risk reporting were consolidated into a single dashboard to support cyber insurance and assessment needs.
Reduced manual overhead
Simpler management gave the technology team more time to focus on core projects around the stadium and the team.
Results and impact
The Timbers gained a simpler way to protect data, prove readiness, and keep operations moving during high-pressure moments.
- Simplified management and improved audit readiness from a single dashboard
- A hardened Microsoft 365 environment and improved cyber resilience
- Zero downtime during stadium operations, supported by cloud disaster recovery failover
- Time saved and more efficient use of internal IT resources
Protection became unified
Microsoft 365, servers, and on-premises environments were protected through one clearer backup model.
Risk became easier to report
Automated reporting supported cyber insurance, risk reviews, and leadership visibility.
Matchday downtime was avoided
Cloud disaster recovery and rapid failover helped protect operations when availability mattered most.
IT regained focus
Less backup complexity meant more capacity for stadium, team, and business technology priorities.
Client quotes
For the Timbers, the value showed up in reduced overhead and more confidence in the protection layer behind the business.
“This partnership has really allowed us to focus on our core projects around the stadium and with the team. We have a system in place that allows us to maintain data protection with very little effort on our part.”
Robert Rice, VP of Technology, Portland TimbersLess overhead, more confidence
The technology team could spend less time wrestling with backup complexity and more time supporting the operations that matter to the club, the stadium, and the business.
Looking ahead
The partnership gives the Timbers a stronger foundation for AI readiness, identity protection, endpoint security, and future cloud modernization.
AI readiness
Preparing Microsoft 365 for Copilot can support productivity and future fan-engagement opportunities.
Expanded Fortify protection
Additional endpoint protection and identity-security monitoring can extend the hardening work already underway.
Cloud modernization
Azure and virtual desktop capabilities can be explored as the environment continues to mature.
Operational resilience
Backup, reporting, and disaster recovery can continue to support operations without creating daily overhead.
Microsoft 365 maturity
Ongoing security and identity governance can help reduce risk as users, workflows, and data evolve.
Prepared leadership conversations
Clear reporting gives leadership better visibility into cyber insurance, risk, and continuity readiness.
Related Covenant solutions
The Timbers case connects cyber hardening, data protection, disaster recovery, AI readiness, and cloud modernization.
Fortify
Microsoft cyber hardening across identity, email, devices, data protection, governance, and AI readiness.
Explore FortifyBackup and Disaster Recovery
Tested, secure backup and recovery across Microsoft 365, cloud, endpoints, and hybrid systems.
Explore Backup and Disaster Recovery24/7 Threat Detection & Response
Round-the-clock monitoring and response for identity, endpoints, and cloud when suspicious activity needs human validation.
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Explore AI EnablementCloud Migration & Modernization
Move to a secure, right-sized Microsoft cloud with a phased plan for Azure, Microsoft 365, and modernization.
Explore cloud servicesSkyDesk365
Secure cloud desktops for teams that need consistent access while reducing endpoint and remote-work risk.
Explore SkyDesk365Protect critical operations without adding more overhead.
If your organization needs unified data protection and a hardened Microsoft 365 environment without extra complexity, Covenant can help you build a more resilient path forward.