The Portland Timbers partner with Covenant and Acronis to secure Microsoft 365

Like many organizations using Microsoft 365, the Portland Timbers realized that Microsoft's shared responsibility model left critical gaps in data protection. While Microsoft ensures service availability, organizations remain responsible for protecting their own data from accidental deletion, malicious attacks and retention policy gaps. 

Through the Acronis #TeamUp Program, the Portland Timbers partners with Covenant Technology Solutions, a Microsoft-centered managed service provider (MSP) based in Oregon, to holistically secure their IT environments and Microsoft 365 data. Founded by Tim Choquette, a lifelong Timbers fan, Covenant Technology specializes in Microsoft 365 hardening, Azure security and cybersecurity services throughout the Northwest and across the United States.

The Portland Timbers faced significant IT challenges managing their hybrid environment. The club juggled multiple backup solutions — from Veeam and native Windows backup to various sync tools — across both on-premises and cloud repositories. 

"Data is by far the lifeblood of our organization — both on the business side and on the soccer side. Any time we think about that data, we’re strategizing security and ways to protect it," says Robert Rice, VP of Technology for the Portland Timbers and Providence Park. 

The club's IT environment had evolved rapidly following the pandemic, when many employees transitioned to remote work. While deeply integrated with Microsoft services, the Timbers lacked a unified solution that could seamlessly manage both cloud and on-premises workloads under their 3-2-1 backup strategy.

 "Prior to this partnership, our existing technologies were time consuming to implement and double check," Rice explains. The organization needed simplified management and improved reporting capabilities for cybersecurity insurance and audits.

The Portland Timbers turned to Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud administered by Covenant Technology Solutions through the Acronis #TeamUp Program. The partnership combined technical expertise with a shared passion for soccer, delivering benefits on and off the pitch. 

"We’re a Microsoft-centered shop. We focus on Microsoft hardening, which is the security side of the platform, including Microsoft 365, Azure and other AI capabilities. We also bring exceptional talent and solutions across those aspects. That’s been the real ‘mesh’ with us," says Tim Choquette, owner and president of Covenant Technology Solutions. 

Covenant Tech implemented Acronis across all Timbers' workloads, including Microsoft 365 data backup, on-premises virtual servers and critical business systems. The solution provides encrypted backup, with the ability to spin up virtual machines in Acronis' cloud infrastructure for disaster recovery scenarios. 

The partnership extends beyond backup to include Microsoft 365 hardening and cybersecurity services, addressing the tool sprawl challenges of securing cloud-based data versus traditional on-premises environments.

The implementation has delivered significant operational improvements for Portland Timbers. The organization now enjoys comprehensive backup coverage with simplified management through a single interface. 

"The Acronis platform for us has really been that data security piece. Because the reporting is so robust, because we have a single pane of glass to check for on-premises and cloud environments, we can easily dive into the platform and understand what's being backed up, " Rice explains. "It helps me sleep at night." 

The solution has enabled the Timbers' IT team to focus on core projects around the stadium and team operations rather than spending countless hours on backup management. The robust reporting capabilities have streamlined compliance requirements for cybersecurity insurance and audits. 

Most importantly, the club now has confidence in their disaster recovery capabilities. With the ability to quickly spin up virtual machines in the Acronis Cloud during critical match days, the Timbers can ensure uninterrupted operations — even when challenges arise. 

"Disaster recovery is a massive part of that cybersecurity pillar, right? It's a great foundational place. That's why we're excited about Acronis because they make backup the foundation of everything that they do. Everything is layered on top of that; for example, RMM, all the cybersecurity and all those additional pieces come from that backup foundation, " Rice notes, highlighting the importance of backup and rapid recovery for a sports organization where downtime during games simply isn't acceptable. 

The partnership between Portland Timbers, Covenant Technology Solutions and Acronis demonstrates how the #TeamUp program creates value through local IT expertise combined with natively integrated backup, recovery and cybersecurity technology. As the club celebrates its 50th anniversary and continues growing its digital presence, this foundation enables them to scale with confidence.

Founded in 2002, Covenant Technology Solutions is Oregon's premier Microsoft solutions provider, serving Pacific Northwest businesses from Portland to the Oregon coast. As one of the region's most trusted technology partners, Covenant holds an elite status with five out of six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations and ranks as a 5.6-rated MSP/MSSP on Paul Dipple's MSP Expertise Scale, placing them among the top-tier IT providers in the nation. The company specializes in cybersecurity, cloud services, and Microsoft 365 solutions, empowering organizations to achieve digital success while freeing them to focus on growing their business and enriching their communities.