Moving to cloud storage comes with several unique advantages. Cost reduction from no longer having to use on-premises servers, storage space that can be expanded dynamically to suit your needs and easy secure access from anywhere. However, when migrating your infrastructure to the cloud, there are several factors that should be taken into account to ensure everything will be up and running smoothly.
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Things to Consider Before Moving to Cloud Storage
Migration Process
When moving to the cloud, a planned migration process is a must. From upfront costs to scheduled downtime, moving to the cloud is no small undertaking. Having to pull out of a migration halfway through can be devastating, so assigning a specific project manager to lead a concentrated migration effort is vital, as is making sure specialist support is available before, during, and after the migration process.
Data Leakage
Once you have started to plan your migration, necessary precautions must be taken around data. A new, off-premises cloud-based system can introduce new vulnerabilities and concerns when handling sensitive data. Make sure you are meeting cloud compliance for your region as a baseline, and also check what users are able to access through their accounts. Also, make sure that if you need to check with your users before moving their data you do so.
Data Security
More malicious than a data leakage is a full cloud security attack. Public cloud systems can be easier to target than private servers, provided a given attacker knows the credentials required to access your data. It is key to ensure that anyone interfacing with the cloud system has been properly security trained, especially in regard to passwords and login credentials. In addition, basic bot verification can be used to prevent bot attacks that may DDoS your cloud services.
Also Read:
- How to Choose the Best Cloud Storage Service in 2023
- What is Cloud Hosting and How Can it Benefit Your Site?
- 7 Ways Your Business Can Benefit From Cloud-Based Marketplaces
- Top 7 Advantages of Cloud Migration
Disaster Recovery
There’s nothing more important than a contingency plan when it comes to storing your data in the cloud. Effective disaster recovery planning cannot be overlooked in the migration process, and having an outlined plan is incredibly necessary. There are several options to choose from when it comes to planning a recovery, so researching and selecting one that works best for your infrastructure is important. Try to select plans that ensure uptime at your most important business hours, as well as ones that can support an average amount of usage. It’s also important to make sure there are people on standby who are familiar with your disaster recovery process, as there will rarely be much warning as to when you need to start implementing emergency measures.
Exit Strategy
While it’s something many do not want to think about when planning a move to the cloud, an exit strategy is something that must always be considered. There can be many reasons why an exit strategy is necessary, such as a failed migration, needing to switch to a different platform that suits your needs better, or even as a response to an attack. Many fail to consider an exit strategy when planning a migration, which can be a fatal error, leading to lost data, costs and time. By having an exit strategy ready, you can minimise any losses caused by having to switch platforms and have added reassurance and extra security as part of your cloud migration.
