5 Best Practices to Ensure Data Security During Cloud Migration

Cloud migration can increase accessibility, collaboration and efficiency. However, once IT leaders decide to migrate data to the cloud, security must be a top-of-mind concern. These five best practices can help ensure data protection during cloud migration.

1. Determine the Scope

Deciding which systems, tools and other assets will move is the first step of migration. Figuring that out reveals how long it will take to do the job properly and securely. If those working on the migration have overly heavy workloads, they’re more likely to make a mistake that risks security.

The data type also impacts the migration’s scope. If information is kept in siloed locations and workers cannot immediately access it or do not know where to find it, cloud migration may slow.

Decision-makers must assess their primary objectives for the migration because those ideals will shape when and how quickly the transition occurs. Their plans may also impact security requirements since transferred information can include confidential or sensitive details.

2. Identify Cloud Performance Issues Early

Assuming all software will perform as it did before cloud migration is a common mistake that can negatively impact security. A slow migration that moves systems individually and benefits from A/B testing can ensure no unusual performance behavior occurs. If it does, IT teams may need to change administrative settings or tweak configurations to work out those kinks before proceeding.

Decision-makers should set expectations by explaining how testing extends the cloud migration timeline but is an essential step to prevent issues that could lead to data breaches or losses. Knowing cloud performance issues are possible motivates teams to test beforehand rather than skipping that step and getting into a more challenging situation.

3. Perform a Security Risk Assessment

Varying risk levels are among the complicated realities of maintaining data security during a cloud migration. Data will be present across networks and devices with varying risk levels and security tools. However, an in-depth assessment can answer questions about data content, location and authorized users.

Those details build a comprehensive picture of vulnerabilities and their sources. They may also reveal advantages such as the company accidentally retaining information for longer than necessary, meaning it does not need to move as much data to the cloud as initially anticipated.

4. Review Access Privileges

Those overseeing the migration should look over users’ access privileges before any data movement occurs. Many businesses do not remove or change permissions when circumstances dictate it. Users with unnecessary or inappropriate access can cause data breaches, so the best approach is to review privileges and ensure they’re current before starting the migration.

In 2023, the average data breach cost more than $4 million per incident. That staggeringly high cost should encourage professionals to do everything they can to plug potential security holes. If a disgruntled former employee had access to corporate systems and proprietary information after data migration occurred, they could cause a security breach, putting the brand and its clients at risk.

5. Find and Decouple Application Dependencies

To keep data safe during migration, teams must uncover application dependencies — the frameworks and libraries that allow smooth functionality. Specialized mapping tools can make this step more manageable.

Once they identify application dependencies, they can break the data into smaller parts and decouple them from the application or system. Decoupling data makes it easier to move and control during the migration process.

Segmenting the process this way can also let executives review which data to move first and verify how that choice might impact operations in the short term. Strong preparation keeps data safe and helps enterprises plan how to address challenges that may arise.

Keeping Materials Safe in Cloud Migration

It’s vital to make a plan before initiating a big endeavor like moving information to the cloud. However, even the most carefully planned cloud migrations typically include a few surprising challenges. The five tips above will help IT leaders maintain tight security and data awareness during these transitions.

However, documenting what went well and finding ways to streamline future efforts is also an important part of the process. Doing so can encourage people to prioritize future improvement while celebrating immediate wins.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zac writes for ReHack as the Features Editor and covers cybersecurity, IT, and business tech. His work has been featured on publications like AllBusiness, CyberTalk, and BLR. For more of his writing, follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn.