Top ten cloud migration roadblocks, challenges and solutions

Cloud migration refers to the transfer of data and applications from an on-premises data center to a cloud computing service. In today’s business landscape, cloud computing has become a rapidly growing technology adopted by organizations across industries. The demand for cloud computing stems from the need to achieve cost containment and operational efficiency. However, migrating to the cloud involves a significant transfer of data and applications, which can be both exciting and challenging.

Cloud migration challenges vary based on the type of cloud. Common cloud migration challenges include cost management, data privacy, secure data transfer, regulatory compliance, or concerns regarding data. Addressing these issues requires a clear understanding of business requirements, application criticalities, and capabilities offered in the cloud.

Listed in this blog, are the top ten challenges faced while migrating to the cloud and solutions that companies can easily opt.

Listed in this blog, are the top ten challenges faced while migrating to cloud and solutions which companies can easily opt.

• Lack of skilled people

   Lack of skilled people is one of the most common challenges faced by IT leaders today. The difficulty lies in finding employees with requisite skills for both on-premises infrastructure as well as public cloud environments. There is a shortage of IT professionals experienced in handling and managing cloud environments. Moreover, many organizations struggle with hiring and training such individuals, leading them to invest more in new hires instead of outsourcing their IT services to experienced providers.

  Solution:

  In order to address this challenge, companies need to prioritize the training of their existing staff to acquire the necessary skills for effectively managing cloud platforms. If required, organizations can consider outsourcing certain tasks until their in-house staff is fully equipped. By investing in training and leveraging external expertise, businesses can ensure a smooth transition to cloud environments while building the capabilities of their internal teams

• Cost concerns

  Operational cost reduction is a crucial objective for any business, and it should be a primary focus when evaluating cloud migration solutions. While cloud computing can reduce overall operating costs, improper planning can lead to increased operational expenses. It is important to consider the costs associated with data migration and training your team on new tools. Choosing an affordable solution without considering its impact on other aspects of your business may result in unexpected expenses.

  Solution:

  This can be mitigated by selecting an enterprise-grade cloud provider that offers inherent scalability and reliability. It is essential to educate yourself about various infrastructures and their impact on your overall business before initiating the cloud migration. Upfront cost estimation is crucial to budgeting appropriately and avoiding potential issues down the line. If needed, seek the assistance of an expert like MSRcosmos to analyze the cost-to-company.

• Security issues

  Security is a paramount concern for businesses, especially when it comes to moving data off-premises and storing it with hyperscalers like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and others. Data breaches have become increasingly common, prompting companies to revamp their security strategies to combat the growing threat.

  Solution:

  Fortunately, AWS and other public cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) have made significant advancements in security features, alleviating many of these concerns over time. You can enhance the security of your infrastructure by deploying tools such as firewalls and encryption software, ensuring the protection of your sensitive data.

• Compliance Concerns:

  The challenge for IT leaders is to stay updated on regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions and ensure compliance. Common compliance issues include data privacy, data sovereignty, and data residency laws.

  Solution:

  Compliance issues can be resolved by implementing robust controls and procedures within your existing processes. For example, when migrating your infrastructure or applications to AWS or Azure, it is essential to ensure compliance with GDPR standards before the migration takes place.

• Lack of migration strategy:

  When migrating applications and data to the cloud, it is crucial to have a well-defined plan in place. Without a clear vision for your infrastructure, companies may encounter difficulties in the future when it comes to upgrades or bug fixes for those applications.

  Solution:

  Technical leaders must thoroughly plan and visualize various aspects of cloud migration before proceeding. This includes ensuring compatibility of third-party software with the new platform, identifying applications to be migrated, determining data volume, and understanding the underlying system architecture (e.g., Windows or Linux-based).

• Application Performance:

  Applications that are dependent on local processing or storage will have problems running smoothly in the cloud. Some applications may also have compatibility issues with other applications in the same environment. This can make it difficult for users to complete their tasks effectively.

  Solution:

  To address this issue, you need to find ways to improve application performance in your environment before you begin migrating them to the cloud. In this way, you can ensure that your users can continue using their apps without any disruption when they move to the cloud.

• Data Loss Risks:

  Every organization possesses sensitive data that demands utmost protection. When this data is moved to the cloud and stored on third-party servers, it introduces an additional potential vulnerability for sensitive information.

  Solution:

  There are several strategies to mitigate data loss risks during cloud migration or while operating in the cloud. These include storing data in multiple locations, utilizing additional storage devices for backups, implementing cloud-based disaster recovery solutions, and leveraging Cloud Backup Solutions (CBR) that utilize cloud storage as a backup repository. These measures ensure continuous access to critical data, even in the event of primary storage device or network failures.

• Downtime and Availability Risks:

  A downtime can result in revenue loss for businesses and reduced productivity for employees. When migrating applications and data to the cloud, there is a potential risk of downtime and application unavailability. It is crucial to plan and execute the migration process carefully to minimize any potential disruptions and ensure a smooth transition.
  Solution: You can avoid the same by planning ahead. Make sure that you have sufficient resources available so that no critical applications or services go down during the migration process. If there’s any chance of downtime during the migration, do not schedule it during peak hours or weekends when most users will be accessing those services/applications.

• Storage Management Issues:

  The biggest challenge in cloud migration is storage management. You may want to store the backup on-premises or in the cloud, but if you do this, you will need storage capacity that is big enough to hold all your backups. This can be challenging if you have many different types of data that are stored in various formats – especially if some of it is mission-critical and must be available at all times.
  Solution: Cloud providers offer different types of storage options such as object storage, block storage and file storage. You need to understand the pros and cons of each type and select the right type of storage based on your requirements so that you can migrate all your data seamlessly without any loss or corruption.

• Time consuming and labour-intensive task:

  As with any project, cloud migration will take time and effort. The challenge lies in finding ways to streamline the process so that it doesn’t take too much time away from your day-to-day responsibilities.
  Solution: One way to accomplish this is by developing a comprehensive project plan. This involves prioritizing the migration of essential components, identifying tasks that can be deferred, and establishing parallel efforts alongside other IT initiatives. A well-structured plan ensures a systematic and efficient approach to the cloud migration process.

Conclusion

It is evident that cloud migration represents a significant change for any organization. As the adoption of cloud services continues to surge, the migration to cloud platforms becomes inevitable. The challenges associated with cloud migration have been outlined above. To ensure a seamless transition from on-premises to cloud deployment and overcome these challenges, it is crucial to engage a reliable service provider with expertise in cloud migration. MSRcosmos, trusted by top-tier clients, is a leading partner for cloud migration services. Our highly skilled experts, with their extensive knowledge and stress-free migration approach, enable you to harness the full potential of the cloud. Migrating complex infrastructures alone can be daunting, making it essential to have an experienced partner like MSRcosmos to navigate your cloud migration journey.