When it comes to cloud migration, there are plenty of risks involved. Every business considering migrating its IT infrastructure from a traditional data center to a public cloud must identify potential obstacles. After all, it’s not an easy transition, even with the many tools and resources available. A study by New Voice Media found that only 14 percent of companies that had begun transitioning to the cloud completed the process successfully. This means businesses have plenty of opportunities to get things right the first time. With so much information available about how and why companies should migrate their IT infrastructure to the cloud, it’s essential to understand which risks need addressing first.
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Cloud Migration is Only the Beginning
When companies approach the decision to migrate to the cloud, they often make the mistake of thinking it will solve all of their problems. The most significant risk is that businesses assume they can put off addressing the issues they face today by migrating tomorrow. In reality, migration is only the beginning of a new set of challenges that businesses will need to overcome to ensure their data remains safe and secure in the long term. If a business has a poor security system today, it will have a flawed one tomorrow, regardless of whether the data is hosted on-premises or in the cloud. This is why migration should be seen as a way to improve the business environment, rather than just a quick fix to a single issue.
Why is Security in the Cloud a Challenge?
Migration to the cloud should be considered a long-term investment, not a short-term solution. However, the fact that most organizations are new to the cloud makes it difficult for them to know what to expect. Often, businesses don’t fully understand the risk associated and the potential impact cloud migration could have on their business. Of course, security is the biggest challenge of all. Public cloud data centers are designed for maximum scalability and flexibility, so companies don’t have the same level of control and visibility as they do with their own data centers. Even if a business uses a managed cloud provider, it still has to ensure it applies the proper security measures to keep its data safe.
Data Theft Causes Unauthorized Access
Data theft is a common problem with traditional infrastructure. If a company fails to protect its data, unauthorized access is always a risk. Businesses are no longer in control when that data is migrated to the cloud. When migrating to the cloud, companies often store their data in a third-party facility. This creates a single point of failure; if hackers breach security, they will have access to all the data. This can include all types of information, including personally identifiable data and sensitive client information. If this data is stolen and isn’t encrypted, it can be used for malicious purposes, including identity theft and financial fraud. The potential financial impact on a business can be huge.
Third-Party Product Comes with Security Risks
Third-party products are needed in every aspect of the business. However, they present certain security risks. For example, a third-party VPN device could be easy for hackers to compromise. When migrating to the cloud, it is crucial to understand the security level of third-party products and services. When businesses outsource, they must make sure the service provider uses a secure VPN connection. They should also consider hiring a third-party provider with a secure data center.
Hackers Can Compromise Vulnerable VPN Devices
Virtual private networks, or VPNs, provide a secure connection that keeps your internet data hidden from hackers and enables companies to safeguard their private cloud resources. Many cloud apps require a VPN to transport data from on-premises systems to the cloud. Although they are often bidirectional, VPNs are set up to only work in one direction. This frequently exposes your business to a cloud service provider attack. When hackers break into a VPN device, they can access the data transmitted between a remote user and the data center. This can result in data loss, stolen information, and financial losses.
Accidental Exposure of User Credentials
Cybercriminals typically use cloud apps as a cover in their phishing assaults. Due to the widespread usage of cloud-based communications and document sharing services, employees are used to getting emails with links requesting them to validate their credentials before accessing a certain site or document.
Businesses often collect user credentials on the premises, such as passwords and usernames. However, when these credentials are migrated to the cloud, they are stored the same way as the other data. If hackers can access this information, it can result in a severe security breach. If the credentials are stored in plain text, hackers will be able to see them. This is one of the most common ways for hackers to access secure data. A secure migration process involves encrypting the user credentials. However, some companies don’t make this a priority.
Lack of Secure API
An API is essential for connecting different business components, including the CRM and billing systems. If a company doesn’t put security at the forefront when designing its API, it can pose a significant risk to the business. When designing an API, it is crucial to understand the security requirements. This includes authentication, authorization, and session management. If a company overlooks any of these requirements, it can result in a severe breach of security. If the API is easy to compromise, hackers can gain access to sensitive data in the cloud. The Facebook-Cambridge Analytical Scandal, which gave Cambridge Analytica access to Facebook user data, is the most common example of an insecure API.
Conclusion
Moving to the cloud can be your business’s best course of action. Before going further, be sure you have a clear cloud migration strategy and are aware of the dangers associated with potential incompatibilities with the current architecture, security threats, and reduced visibility and control. Additionally, make every effort to prevent data loss, incomplete data deletion, excessive spending, and additional latency. Cloud migration might be beneficial for your company if you can avoid these problems.
Stay informed and ensure you are aware of all the risks of a cloud migration before making a final decision. Download this e-book, and you will learn about the top 5 risks of cloud migration and how to avoid them in detail.