The cloud promises businesses unparalleled security, efficiency, and flexibility. The catch, of course, is that you must first migrate. For many businesses, this can feel like an impossible proposition. All company data and workloads must be moved, which increases the risk of downtime or even a cyber-attack.
Or at least, that’s what they’re told.
Here’s the truth: cloud migration doesn’t need to be complicated or frightening. In fact, this major change can take place safely and seamlessly. Keep reading to learn how.
Why Migrate to the Cloud?
Moving to the cloud comes with several crucial business advantages:
- Lower Costs: Unlike on-premise infrastructure, which needs to be maintained and replaced regularly, cloud solutions cost only a monthly subscription fee. The funds you save can then be put into other areas of the business.
- Improved Productivity: A well-integrated cloud environment allows employees to complete tasks faster and without needing to constantly switch between applications. This results in a major productivity boost.
- Greater Flexibility: Migration allows staff to work from any location with internet access, drastically improving flexibility.
- Stronger Continuity: Utilised correctly, cloud migration provides you with an easy way to backup critical data and workflows. This preserves continuity in the event of a disaster, cyber-attack, or outage.
The Risks Involved
The benefits of cloud migration are obvious. But there are also a number of risks involved:
- Downtime: If the move is timed poorly, or something goes wrong, operations could be severely disrupted.
- Data Loss: Important files, emails, or databases can be lost or damaged unless the right protective measures are in place.
- Cyber-Attacks and Regulatory Penalties: Migration introduces new vulnerabilities. Without strong security measures in place, your business is at risk of data breaches and noncompliance penalties.
- Poor Performance Post-Migration: If the wrong cloud solutions are chosen, scope is not correctly defined, or the migration is performed poorly, you could experience worse performance after the move than you had previously.
All of these issues can be avoided with the right strategy.
How to Migrate to the Cloud While Minimising Disruptions
1. Define the Scope
Assess your IT infrastructure carefully. Determine what needs to be moved during the migration process, how much work this will require, and what the potential risks are. Will you migrate applications to the cloud, for instance, or just data?
2. Choose a Migration Strategy
Cloud migration can take many forms, from a simple lift and shift to a complete re-architecting. It’s crucial to choose the right method for your needs. Investigate your options carefully, considering the complexity of your existing infrastructure and how much of it will be moved.
3. Implement Precautionary Measures
During periods of transition, your business is at higher risk than normal. It’s advisable to introduce additional security measures before moving, such as encryption and stronger access controls, as this will reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.
Always backup all critical data and workflows before adjusting your IT infrastructure. When you migrate data to the cloud, loss is a very real concern.
4. Develop a Backup Plan
If something goes wrong, how will you maintain continuity as the problem is addressed? Develop a plan to handle incidents such as unexpected downtime, sudden data loss, or a serious data breach. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to minimise the damage.
5. Work in Phases
When you begin the migration process, work slowly and in phases. You may migrate databases to the cloud first, for instance, and then applications that rely on them. Moving one thing at a time allows you to adjust quickly to new developments and solve problems before they can cause downtime.
6. Test Everything
Don’t assume the migration went smoothly. After the move, run tests to ensure all data is accessible and accurate, and all workflows function as expected. This step is crucial. Without it, small issues could go unnoticed until they begin causing serious consequences.
Migrate Smoothly with Expert Support
Cloud migration is a complex, technical task. But it doesn’t need to endanger your business. With careful planning and the right strategy, you can benefit from improved productivity without risking security or continuity in the process. Develop a plan, take precautions, and you can’t go wrong.
If you’re considering cloud migration, but concerned about how it could impact your business, PCC can help. We guide you through the process, then maintain and secure your cloud environment so you never have to worry about it. If that sounds beneficial, learn more about our Perth-based managed cloud services today.
