Since 2020 and the introduction of mass remote working, cloud technologies have been viewed as a practical solution to many of the common issues businesses and organizations have faced. With each passing year, more and more organizations have started utilizing them within their operations. 

As businesses need faster, more streamlined methods of communication, cloud migration has become increasingly popular because of its ease of use, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

However, as with any transition to a new technology, there are certain cloud migration risks that must be carefully considered. Despite the benefits of cloud migration, organizations must still identify potential vulnerabilities and plan accordingly in order to ensure a successful transition and performance from their new platform. 

In this article, we’ll discuss what cloud migration is and some of the potential risks it could present to businesses.

Cloud Migration Risks and How to Avoid Them

Risk 1: Data Security & Privacy

When moving to the cloud, data is sent through a number of different servers and networks which can open up businesses to cyber attacks if not properly secured. Think of it as a confidential file through the postal service: you don’t know who is handling it or who can access its contents during the transition from sender to recipient.

Tips on How to Avoid this Risk:

To avoid this cloud migration risk, ensure that your company’s data governance policies are up-to-date and enforced across the organization. Implement regular security checks of your system, both pre- and post-migration, to ensure that all data is secure. 

Choose a provider with strong security measures in place, such as end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication.

Risk 2: System Compliance

Organizations may be subject to various compliance regulations depending on their industry. Examples of these include HIPAA for healthcare organizations, PCI DSS for payment processing companies, and COPPA for businesses dealing with children’s information. 

If the cloud platform does not comply with the appropriate regulations, your business could be subject to costly fines or other penalties.

Tips on How to Avoid this Risk:

Do your research ahead of time by carefully researching and confirming that the cloud provider you choose meets the necessary compliance requirements. Have someone from your team conduct regular compliance checks to ensure that the system is always meeting the required standards.

Risk 3: Migration Process Issues

The transfer process itself can present a number of cloud migration risks, such as data loss, interrupted service, and application incompatibility. If these issues are not addressed ahead of time they could lead to costly delays and disruptions in service. 

Tips on How to Avoid this Risk:

Choose a provider who has experience with migrating complex systems and applications. Have an experienced professional on hand to oversee the transition process for added assurance that everything goes as planned. 

Review all of your existing applications and make sure that they will be compatible with your new environment before beginning the migration process.

ThrottleNet: Experts at Your Side 

Cloud migration can provide many benefits. However, organizations must be aware of the potential risks that can arise during the transition process. By taking the necessary precautions and conducting a thorough review of all potential vulnerabilities, businesses can ensure that the migration is successful and that cloud migration risks are minimized.

At ThrottleNet, we understand firsthand the challenges associated with transitioning to a cloud platform. We provide managed cloud services to help our clients navigate the complexities of migrating their data and applications without compromising performance or security. 

Contact us today for more information on how we can help you make a safe, seamless switch to the cloud! 

16 Ways to Protect Your St. Louis Business From Cyberattacks

Free Download
15 Ways to Protect Your Business from Cyberattacks