Access and Feeds

Navigating the Risks of Cloud Migration

By Dick Weisinger

Cloud migration has become a critical step for businesses seeking to modernize their IT infrastructure, but it comes with inherent risks that must be carefully managed. One of the primary concerns is data security, as organizations transfer sensitive information to remote servers. According to a study by Crowd Research Partners, “90% of organizations are concerned about cloud security”. This apprehension is well-founded, given the potential for data breaches and unauthorized access in cloud environments.

Another significant risk is the potential for service disruption and data loss during the migration process. As noted by Flexential, “Every migration can subject organizations to lost or compromised data and unexpected downtime due to cyberattacks, insufficient redundancies, technical challenges, power outages, or human error”. To mitigate these risks, companies are implementing robust backup strategies and conducting thorough testing before, during, and after migration.

Compliance issues also pose a challenge, particularly for organizations in highly regulated industries. Ensuring that cloud providers meet specific regulatory requirements, such as GDPR or HIPAA, is crucial. Many businesses are addressing this by carefully vetting potential cloud service providers and implementing additional security measures to maintain compliance.

One risk migration strategy that companies are using is the conducting of in-depth planning to determine which assets are cloud-ready and which should remain on-premises. Detailing the transition plan can alleviate cloud migration risks while offering opportunities to modernize legacy applications and align the IT strategy with business objectives.

Organizations are also investing in advanced security measures, such as end-to-end encryption and robust identity and access management systems. Additionally, many are opting for hybrid or multi-cloud strategies to optimize security, performance, and cost-effectiveness. While cloud migration presents significant risks, proactive planning and the implementation of robust security measures can greatly mitigate these challenges.

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