How to avoid the most common mistakes when migrating to the cloud?

Migrating to the cloud is a complex technical and organizational process that requires precise planning and a thorough understanding of your own IT infrastructure. Successful migration requires not only technical knowledge, but also awareness of potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. In this article, we will provide a detailed analysis of the technical aspects of migration and specific solutions to the most common problems.

What is migration to the cloud?

Moving infrastructure to the cloud is significantly different from traditional migrations between on-premise environments. In a cloud environment, there is a different model of responsibility for the different layers of infrastructure. The cloud provider assumes responsibility for the physical security of the data centers, the underlying network infrastructure and the hypervisor, while securing operating systems, applications and data remains with the customer.

A key element is to understand the architectural differences between on-premises and cloud environments. In a traditional data center, we have direct access to the hardware layer and full control over network configuration. In the cloud, on the other hand, we work on layers of abstraction, where the physical infrastructure is virtualized and managed by the provider. This fundamental difference often requires rethinking the application architecture and how resources are managed.

Why conduct an audit before migrating to the cloud?

A pre-migration audit is the foundation of a secure migration to the cloud. Its main purpose is to thoroughly understand the current systems architecture and their interdependencies. The first step is to analyze the application architecture, paying particular attention to how components communicate with each other. It is important to identify all integration points with external systems and the communication protocols used, as their implementation in the cloud may require modification.

Equally important is a detailed inventory of the resources used. A thorough analysis of the use of computing power, memory and disk space will allow the appropriate selection of instances in the target environment. It should be remembered that in the cloud we pay for the resources actually used, so precise determination of requirements can significantly affect operating costs.

How to prepare an effective IT infrastructure migration strategy to the cloud?

The migration strategy must take into account the specifics of each application and its role in the organization. The simplest approach is rehosting, i.e. moving the application without any changes to the code. This method works well for systems that are well optimized and do not require significant modifications. However, refactoring is often a better solution to take full advantage of cloud capabilities.

Refactoring an application for cloud-native requires more work, but brings long-term benefits. For example, rewriting a monolithic application to a microservice architecture allows independent scaling of individual components and easier version management. Additionally, using managed services eliminates the need to maintain the underlying infrastructure yourself.

Which systems and applications should be moved to the cloud first?

Choosing the first systems to migrate is critical to the success of the entire project. Experience shows that it’s best to start with applications that are relatively independent and not a critical part of the infrastructure. Developer and test environments are an ideal start, as they allow the IT team to gain hands-on experience with the cloud without risking operational disruption.

Special attention should be paid to analytical and big data processing systems. Moving them to the cloud often brings immediate benefits due to flexible scaling of computing power. In a cloud environment, resources can be dynamically adapted to current needs, which is especially important for tasks that process large volumes of data.

What are the key steps for a secure migration to the cloud?

The process of migrating to the cloud requires detailed planning for each step. First, the target environment must be prepared by configuring the basic elements of the network infrastructure. This includes setting up virtual private networks (VPCs), configuring subnets and implementing appropriate security policies. It is crucial to ensure the isolation of production and development environments through proper network segmentation.

The next step is to prepare the data migration path. For large databases, the transfer process can be time-consuming and require special tools. Consider using Database Migration Service, which automates the migration process and minimizes downtime. It is also important to plan a data synchronization strategy, especially for systems that need to run in parallel during the transition period.

How do you choose the right cloud provider for your infrastructure?

The choice of a cloud provider should be dictated not only by cost, but more importantly by the technical requirements of the application and the organization’s development plans. Each of the major providers offers unique services that may be key to specific use cases. For example, if an organization makes heavy use of containers, it is worth paying attention to the maturity of container orchestration and management services.

The availability of regions and availability zones is also an important aspect. The location of data centers affects not only compliance with data storage regulations, but also application latency. For latency-sensitive applications, the ability to choose the geographically closest region can be a key factor.

How to ensure regulatory compliance during migration?

Migration to the cloud must take into account a number of legal and regulatory requirements, which vary depending on the industry and the type of data processed. It is particularly important to understand the requirements of RODO (GDPR) in the European context, especially when talking about the processing of personal data. A key aspect is the location of the cloud provider’s data centers – personal data of EU residents can only be processed in specific locations, with appropriate security standards.

In the case of the financial or healthcare sectors, there are additional regulatory requirements. For example, banks must comply with FSA guidelines for cloud computing, including requirements for encryption, auditing and data portability. Medical facilities, on the other hand, must ensure compliance with medical data protection regulations, which often requires the implementation of additional encryption and access control mechanisms.

An important element of regulatory compliance is the ability to demonstrate full control over data at any point in its processing. This requires implementing mechanisms to track and document the flow of personal data through all components of the system. In practice, this means implementing extensive logging and auditing systems that record every operation on personal data, including information about who accessed it, when and for what purpose.

How do you integrate existing systems into a new cloud environment?

Integrating systems with cloud infrastructure requires careful planning of a hybrid architecture that will enable seamless communication between local and cloud environments. The first step is to ensure reliable and secure network communication. Consider implementing dedicated Express Route or Direct Connect connections, which offer predictable throughput and low latency compared to standard Internet connections.

A key challenge in a hybrid environment is user identity management. Implementing identity federation allows for uniform management of access to resources in both on-premises and cloud environments. Solutions such as Azure AD Connect or AWS Directory Service enable synchronization of user directories and provide single sign-on (SSO) for applications in both environments. This is especially important for keeping end users’ workflows running smoothly.

Hybrid architectures also often require rethinking how data is synchronized between environments. In the case of databases, this may mean configuring bi-directional replication to ensure data consistency across both locations. However, link bandwidth and time windows for synchronizing larger data volumes need to be carefully planned. In some cases, it is worth considering implementing caching mechanisms that can reduce the load on the main database and improve application response times.

How to measure the success of the cloud migration process?

Assessing the success of a migration to the cloud requires a multidimensional approach, taking into account both technical and business aspects. A fundamental indicator is the stability of the transferred systems, which should be measured by monitoring application response times, service availability and the number of incidents. In a cloud environment, it is particularly important to track metrics related to automatic scaling – the frequency of launching new instances and the efficiency of resource utilization during times of increased load.

The financial aspect of migration can be evaluated not only by looking at direct infrastructure costs, but also through total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. In this context, it is important to consider the savings from eliminating the cost of maintaining an in-house data center, reducing hardware expenditures, and reducing the time required to implement new functionality. It is equally important to analyze the efficiency of the use of cloud resources – indicators such as average instance utilization or the cost of idle resources help identify areas in need of optimization.

The success of the migration is also reflected in the organization’s increased flexibility in responding to business needs. It is worth measuring the time it takes to implement new functionality or launch new test environments. These metrics, combined with satisfaction ratings for development teams and end users, provide a complete picture of the transformation the organization has undergone. It is particularly important to monitor metrics related to process automation – the number of automated deployments, the time it takes to implement infrastructure changes or the efficiency of CI/CD processes.

The process of migration to the cloud is not only a technical transformation, but above all a change in the way the entire organization operates. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of success should also take into account aspects such as the development of the team’s competence, the adoption of new work methodologies or the ability to innovate faster. Regular collection and analysis of these indicators allows not only to assess the success of the migration itself, but also to identify areas for further optimization and development in the cloud.

How to ensure regulatory compliance during migration?

Ensuring regulatory compliance when migrating to the cloud requires a thorough understanding of both local and international data processing regulations. In the European context, a key consideration is RODO (GDPR), which imposes specific requirements regarding the location of personal data storage and data protection mechanisms. When choosing a region to host an application, it is important to consider not only the technical aspects, but also the legal restrictions on data transfer outside the European Economic Area.

The migration process must include mechanisms for tracking and documenting the flow of personal data. In practice, this means implementing logging systems that record every operation on personal data, including information about who accessed it, when and for what purpose. A good practice is to use native auditing mechanisms offered by cloud platforms, which automatically collect this type of information and store it securely.

For regulated industries, such as finance or healthcare, additional sector-specific requirements must be met. For example, in the case of medical data, compliance with confidentiality requirements for medical records must be ensured, which may require the implementation of additional layers of encryption or access control mechanisms. In this context, it is worth considering the use of specialized cloud services that are certified for compliance with specific industry regulations.

How do you integrate existing systems into a new cloud environment?

Integrating existing systems with cloud infrastructure requires careful planning of a hybrid architecture that allows seamless communication between on-premises and cloud environments. The primary challenge is to ensure secure and efficient network communication. To this end, consider implementing dedicated Express Route or Direct Connect connections, which offer stable and predictable throughput and low latency compared to standard Internet connections.

Another important aspect is identity management in a hybrid environment. The implementation of identity federation allows for uniform management of access to resources in both on-premises and cloud environments. Solutions such as Azure AD Connect or AWS Directory Service enable synchronization of user directories and provide single sign-on (SSO) for applications in both environments. This is especially important in terms of maintaining a seamless user experience, as users should not experience a difference in the way they log into applications regardless of their location.

Hybrid architectures also often require rethinking how data is synchronized between environments. In the case of databases, this may mean configuring bi-directional replication to ensure data consistency across both locations. However, it is important to keep in mind the potential impact of such replication on system performance, and to plan bandwidth and time windows accordingly for synchronizing larger volumes of data. In some cases, it is worth considering the implementation of caching mechanisms that can reduce the load on the main database and improve application response times.

How to monitor application performance after moving to the cloud?

Monitoring application performance in a cloud environment requires a different approach than with traditional infrastructure. In the cloud, we are dealing with a dynamically changing architecture, where instances can be automatically created and shut down depending on the load. Therefore, the traditional approach of monitoring individual servers must be replaced by monitoring the entire application ecosystem.

The foundation of effective monitoring is the collection of relevant metrics at various levels of the infrastructure. At the application level, it is crucial to track response times, the number of errors and the flow of requests between components. In the case of databases, it is necessary to monitor not only basic parameters such as CPU or memory usage, but also specific metrics such as the number of active connections or query execution time. All of this data should be aggregated in real time, allowing quick detection of potential problems.

A modern approach to monitoring also requires the implementation of distributed tracing mechanisms. This allows an accurate understanding of how requests flow through various system components and where bottlenecks may exist. Combined with a properly configured alerting system, such a solution enables proactive response to problems before they affect end users.

How do you manage access to resources in a new cloud environment?

Access management in a cloud environment requires a thoughtful approach to privilege control, which differs significantly from the traditional security model. A key element is the implementation of the principle of least privilege, where each user and service is granted only those permissions necessary to perform their tasks. In practice, this means creating precise access policies that define not only what resources a user has access to, but also what operations they can perform on them.

For complex environments, it is worth introducing a hierarchical model of privilege management. At the highest level are organizational policies that define general security rules. Then, for individual projects or teams, more detailed policies are created, taking into account the specific requirements of the area. This structure makes it easier to manage permissions and reduces the risk of accidentally granting too broad privileges.

The automation of the access management process is also an important aspect. The use of tools for automatic assignment and revocation of privileges, combined with regular auditing, allows to maintain a high level of security. It is particularly important to respond quickly to changes in the structure of the organization, such as a change in an employee’s role or the termination of a partnership.

Why prepare a cloud exit plan?

A cloud exit plan, often overlooked in the migration process, is an important part of a risk management strategy. Preparing such a plan does not imply distrust of the chosen vendor or doubts about the validity of the migration. Rather, it is part of a professional approach to IT infrastructure management, much like preparing disaster recovery plans. In practice, it means designing the architecture in a way that minimizes dependence on specific services from one vendor.

A key component of the exit plan is the documentation of all dependencies between system components and the cloud services used. Potential alternatives should be identified for each critical service, whether from other cloud providers or in the form of self-hosted solutions. Special attention should be paid to the format and structure of the stored data, so that it can be easily transferred to another environment if necessary.

The plan should also address the legal and organizational aspects of changing service providers. This includes not only technical issues such as data export or service migration, but also issues related to intellectual property, data confidentiality or contractual obligations. Regular testing and updating of the exit plan allows the company to maintain readiness to respond quickly in the event a change of provider is necessary.

How do you secure your data when transferring to the cloud?

Data security during migration to the cloud requires a comprehensive approach to encryption and access control. Data transfer should only take place over encrypted communication channels, using the latest TLS protocols. For particularly sensitive data, consider setting up dedicated VPN connections or using Direct Connect services that provide a private, dedicated communication path to the cloud provider.

In addition to securing the transfer itself, it is crucial to properly configure access control mechanisms in the target environment. This requires the implementation of precise IAM (Identity and Access Management) policies that restrict access to data to authorized users and systems only. Special attention should be paid to the management of encryption keys, which should be stored in dedicated Key Management Services.

In the process of data transfer, it is also important to maintain full transparency and auditability. All data operations should be logged in detail, including information on who accessed the data and when. The use of advanced monitoring tools makes it possible to quickly detect potential security violations and take appropriate remedial action.

How do you optimize your systems architecture for the cloud?

Optimizing architecture for a cloud environment requires a fundamental rethinking of how applications operate. Traditional, monolithic systems often fail to take full advantage of cloud capabilities such as auto-scaling and fault tolerance. Architecture redesign should consider decomposing applications into smaller, independent components that can be more easily scaled and managed.

An important aspect of optimization is the proper use of managed services offered by cloud providers. Instead of maintaining a database or message queuing system yourself, consider using cloud counterparts that provide high availability and automatic management. This approach not only reduces the infrastructure maintenance effort, but also improves system reliability.

Cloud architecture should also be designed with cost efficiency in mind. This means using automatic scaling mechanisms that adjust the amount of resources used according to the actual load. In addition, consider implementing mechanisms for caching and optimizing database queries, which can significantly reduce operational costs.

Why is IT team training critical to migration success?

The move to the cloud introduces new paradigms in IT infrastructure management that require a significant change in the way the technical team thinks and works. Administrators accustomed to directly managing hardware must learn to work with abstract cloud resources and use automation tools. The training process should include not only technical aspects, but also new working methodologies such as Infrastructure as Code or DevOps.

It is particularly important for the team to understand the shared responsibility model in the cloud. This means clearly defining which aspects of security and management lie with the cloud provider and which remain the responsibility of the organization. The team needs to learn how to effectively use the monitoring and management tools offered by the cloud platform to ensure optimal systems performance.

The training program should be tailored to different roles in the team and include practical scenarios for using the new technology. It is worth investing in cloud certifications for key team members, which not only improves their competence, but also builds confidence in the new platform throughout the organization.

How to plan a migration budget to avoid unforeseen costs?

Budget planning for cloud migration requires understanding the differences in the billing model compared to traditional infrastructure. In an on-premises environment, the main costs are related to the purchase of hardware and licenses, while in the cloud we move to a fee model for the actual use of resources. This means a careful analysis of not only the cost of the migration itself, but also future operating costs.

An important element is to understand the charging mechanisms of cloud providers. Costs are not just limited to the use of computing power and disk space. Data transfer fees must be considered, especially between regions or when using services like Content Delivery Network. In addition, some managed services may generate hidden costs for backups or data replication.

It is also crucial to plan for the costs associated with the transition phase, when systems are running in parallel in the local and cloud environments. During this period, the organization must maintain dual infrastructure, which significantly affects the total cost of migration. It is worth considering the use of cost optimization tools that allow automatic adjustment of the resources used according to actual needs.

Why prepare a contingency plan before the migration begins?

A contingency plan in the cloud migration process is a key component of operational risk management. The basis of such a plan is detailed documentation of the initial state of all systems, including network configuration, application settings and dependencies between components. This documentation serves as a reference in case the previous configuration needs to be restored.

An effective contingency plan must address the various problem scenarios that can occur during migration. It is particularly important to define procedures for dealing with failures during data transfer or performance problems in the new environment. The plan should include precise criteria for deciding whether to roll back changes and return to the previous configuration.

An element that is often overlooked, but critical to the success of a disaster recovery plan, is verifying the technical feasibility of restoration. This requires not only maintaining backups, but also regularly testing restoration procedures and verifying that all necessary configuration elements, including network settings and security rules, have been preserved.

How to test the environment before full migration?

Testing a cloud environment before the actual migration requires a systematic approach and consideration of all critical aspects of the systems. The testing process should start with verification of the basic infrastructure, including network connections, security configurations and the correctness of authorization and authentication mechanisms. Particular attention should be paid to network performance testing, which can significantly affect application performance in a distributed environment.

The next step is to conduct functional tests of the application in the new environment. It is necessary to check not only the basic functionality, but also the behavior of the system in case of increased load or failure of individual components. Using test automation tools allows you to systematically check all critical business paths and quickly detect potential problems.

An important part of the testing process is the verification of monitoring and logging mechanisms. In a cloud environment, it is critical to have full visibility into the performance of systems, which requires proper configuration of monitoring tools and log collection systems. Ensure that all critical metrics are properly collected and available to operations teams.

Why might the “lift and shift” approach be risky?

Moving applications using the “lift and shift” method often seems the simplest solution, but it carries significant technical risks. This method involves moving existing applications to the cloud without making significant changes to their architecture, seemingly reducing migration time and complexity. In practice, however, this approach often leads to missing out on key advantages of the cloud environment, such as flexible scaling or automation of resource management.

The main problem is the transfer of architectural inefficiencies from the local environment to the cloud. Applications designed for traditional data centers often assume fixed resource availability and are not designed for dynamic scaling. As a result, organizations are paying for inefficiently used resources, leading to much higher operating costs than initially anticipated.

In addition, applications ported without modification often do not take advantage of the native security mechanisms offered by cloud platforms. This leads to the need to maintain additional layers of security, which could be replaced by built-in cloud services. In the long run, the cost of maintaining such a solution can outweigh the investment needed to refactor the application.

How to ensure business continuity of systems during migration?

Ensuring the uninterrupted operation of services during migration to the cloud requires careful planning and implementation of appropriate security mechanisms. A key element is the implementation of a phased migration strategy, where systems are moved gradually to minimize risk and respond quickly to potential problems. In practice, this means keeping systems running in parallel in the local and cloud environments for some time.

A key aspect is to ensure data consistency between the old and new environments. To do this, you need to implement synchronization mechanisms that work in real time. For example, in the case of databases, this may mean configuring two-way replication to ensure that data is up-to-date in both locations. It is also important to monitor synchronization delays and implement mechanisms to detect and resolve conflicts.

Managing network traffic during migration requires special attention. A good practice is to use blue-green deployment or canary deployment mechanisms, which allow for controlled redirection of traffic between environments. If problems are detected in the new environment, it is possible to quickly switch traffic back to the source system, minimizing the impact on end users.

How to plan a migration budget to avoid unforeseen costs?

Planning a cloud migration budget requires consideration of many factors that go beyond infrastructure costs alone. The first step is a thorough analysis of current operating costs, including not only hardware and license expenses, but also energy, cooling, IT staffing or server space rental. This baseline allows for a realistic comparison with future cloud costs.

In a cloud environment, the cost structure is more dynamic and depends on the actual use of resources. It is crucial to understand the pricing model of the chosen provider, especially in the context of different types of instances, data transfer costs or fees for additional services. Costs associated with the transition period, when an organization needs to maintain both on-premises and cloud infrastructure, should also be considered.

An important part of budget planning is to consider the costs associated with application optimization and modernization. In some cases, a simple lift-and-shift migration can lead to higher operating costs compared to redesigned applications that use cloud capabilities more efficiently. It’s also worth budgeting for team training and possible support from outside experts.

How to minimize the risk of data loss during the migration process?

Protecting data during migration requires implementing a multi-level security strategy. The foundation is to create a comprehensive backup of all data before the migration process begins. These copies should be stored in a location independent of both the source and target environments. It is also important to regularly test the procedures for restoring data from the backup to ensure that in the event of problems it will be possible to restore systems quickly.

The process of data migration itself should use secure transmission protocols and integrity verification mechanisms. Every data transfer should be encrypted, and a thorough validation should be performed afterwards, comparing file checksums in the source and destination environments. For large volumes of data, it is worth considering the use of dedicated migration tools that offer transfer resumption functions in the event of a connection interruption.

Real-time monitoring of the migration process is also a key element. The monitoring system should detect any anomalies in the data transfer process and automatically alert the migration team. Special attention should be paid to monitoring the use of system and network resources to avoid overloads that could lead to data loss or corruption.

How to test the environment before full migration?

Testing the cloud environment before the actual migration is a critical part of the entire process. The foundation is to create a test environment that accurately reflects the target architecture. To do this, use infrastructure automation tools (Infrastructure as Code) to ensure repeatability and consistency of the configuration. This will ensure that each test is conducted under identical conditions, which increases the reliability of the results.

Tests should cover all key aspects of system performance, starting with basic functionality, through performance to emergency behavior. It is particularly important to see how the system handles sudden increases in load. In a cloud environment, different load scenarios can be easily simulated by gradually increasing the number of concurrent users or the intensity of database operations. The results of these tests allow you to fine-tune automatic scaling mechanisms accordingly.

An integral part of the testing process is the verification of security mechanisms. Not only basic aspects such as authentication and authorization should be checked, but also more advanced mechanisms such as encryption of data at rest and during transmission, isolation of environments or response to unauthorized access attempts. For applications that process sensitive data, it’s worth conducting dedicated penetration tests to detect potential security vulnerabilities.

How do you secure your data when transferring to the cloud?

Data security during migration to the cloud requires a comprehensive approach to security at every stage of the process. Data transfer should only take place over encrypted communication channels, using the latest cryptographic protocols. The standard is to use TLS 1.3, which provides the highest level of security and performance. For particularly sensitive data, consider setting up dedicated VPN connections or using Direct Connect services, which provide a private, dedicated communication path to the cloud provider.

It is equally important to properly prepare data before migration. Careful data classification should be performed, identifying sensitive information that requires additional security. In the case of personal data or confidential information, an additional layer of application-level encryption may be necessary, regardless of the security offered by the cloud platform. Special attention should be paid to the management of encryption keys, which should be stored in dedicated key management systems (KMS).

The data transfer monitoring system should provide full visibility of the migration process. This means not only tracking the progress of the transfer, but also recording all operations on the data, including information on who accessed it and when. Implementing an extensive logging and auditing system allows you to quickly detect potential security breaches and take appropriate countermeasures. In addition, consider implementing anomaly detection systems that can automatically identify suspicious data access patterns.

How do you optimize your systems architecture for the cloud?

Optimizing architecture for a cloud environment requires a fundamental rethinking of how applications operate. Traditional, monolithic systems often fail to take full advantage of cloud capabilities such as elastic scaling and fault tolerance. The first step in optimization is to analyze current architectural patterns and identify elements that may limit efficiency in a cloud environment.

One of the key aspects is to design applications with reliability in mind. In a cloud environment, it should be assumed that individual infrastructure components can fail at any time. Therefore, the architecture should include mechanisms to automatically detect failures and switch traffic to efficient instances. An example of this approach is the implementation of the Circuit Breaker pattern, which prevents cascading failures in a distributed system.

Another important element is proper application state management. In a distributed environment, the traditional approach of storing session state on a single server is no longer effective. Instead, consider using external caching systems or NoSQL databases that provide high availability and scalability. This allows flexible scaling of applications without the risk of losing user session data.

Why is IT team training critical to migration success?

The process of migrating to the cloud introduces fundamental changes in the way the IT team works. System administrators must move from managing physical hardware to operating on abstract cloud resources. This requires not only learning new tools, but more importantly, changing the way they think about infrastructure. It is crucial to understand the concept of “infrastructure as code” (Infrastructure as Code), where the configuration of the environment is defined in the form of scripts, ensuring repeatable and automated processes.

It is equally important to understand the shared responsibility model in the cloud. The IT team needs to know exactly which aspects of security and management lie with the cloud provider and which remain the responsibility of the organization. For example, in the IaaS model, the provider is responsible for the physical security of servers and the underlying network infrastructure, while securing the operating system and applications remains the IT team’s responsibility.

The training program should be tailored to different roles in the team and include practical scenarios for using new technologies. Special emphasis should be placed on issues related to monitoring and optimizing costs in the cloud. The team must learn how to effectively use tools to analyze resource utilization and make appropriate optimizations to avoid unnecessary expenses.

How to monitor application performance after moving to the cloud?

Monitoring applications in a cloud environment requires a different approach from traditional infrastructure. In the cloud, we are dealing with a dynamically changing environment where application instances can be automatically started and stopped depending on the load. Effective monitoring must therefore take into account these dynamics and provide a complete picture of system performance regardless of the number of active instances.

The basis for effective monitoring is the collection of relevant metrics at various levels of the infrastructure. At the application level, it is crucial to track the response times of individual endpoints, the number of errors, and resource utilization patterns. It is particularly important to monitor so-called “golden signals” – latency, traffic, errors and saturation (latency, traffic, errors, saturation). These metrics allow you to quickly detect performance problems and identify their source.

An important element of monitoring in a cloud environment is the implementation of distributed tracing. In a distributed system, a single user request can pass through many different services, and distributed tracing allows you to understand how the request flows through the system and where the potential bottlenecks are. Tools such as OpenTelemetry or Jaeger enable detailed analysis of request flow and visualization of dependencies between components.

How do you manage access to resources in a new cloud environment?

Cloud access management requires a holistic approach to security, combining traditional access control methods with modern solutions specific to the cloud environment. The foundation is the implementation of a Zero Trust model, where every access request must be authenticated and authorized, regardless of where it comes from. This marks a departure from the traditional security model based on trusted internal networks.

In practice, access management should be based on precisely defined roles and permissions (Role-Based Access Control – RBAC). Each user and service should be assigned the minimum privileges necessary to perform their tasks. It is especially important to review and update permissions regularly to avoid privilege creep, where users accumulate more permissions over time than they actually need.

Modern cloud platforms offer advanced identity management mechanisms, such as identity federation and single sign-on. They allow centralized access management for all cloud services and applications. In addition, it is worth using conditional access mechanisms, which make granting access dependent on additional factors, such as the user’s location, the device being used or the level of risk associated with the request.

Why prepare a cloud exit plan?

The cloud exit plan, often overlooked in the migration process, is an important part of IT risk management strategy. It’s not about mistrusting the chosen vendor, but about maintaining business flexibility and minimizing vendor lock-in risk. Such a plan should define the procedures and tools needed to move systems and data to another environment, whether to another cloud provider or back to an on-premise infrastructure.

A key component of the exit plan is documentation of all system dependencies and cloud services used. Special attention should be paid to vendor-specific services that may be difficult to replace or require significant modifications in case of migration. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider using standard, portable solutions instead of heavily integrated proprietary services as early as the architecture design stage.

The plan should also address the legal and organizational aspects of changing service providers. This includes not only technical issues such as data export or service migration, but also issues related to intellectual property, data confidentiality or contractual obligations. Regular testing and updating of the exit plan allows the company to maintain readiness to respond quickly in the event a change of provider is necessary.

How do you minimize the risk of data loss during the migration process?

Protecting data during migration requires a multi-layered approach to security. The foundation is to create complete backups of all data before the migration process begins. These copies should be kept independent of the source and destination environments, providing an additional layer of security in case of problems during the transfer.

The data migration process should use encryption at all stages of transfer. This applies both to data transferred over the network (in-transit encryption) and to data stored in the target environment (at-rest encryption). Special attention should be paid to the management of encryption keys, which should be stored securely and properly protected from unauthorized access.

The implementation of data integrity verification mechanisms is also a key element. Once the transfer is complete, a thorough comparison of the data in the source and destination environments should be performed, using checksums and other validation methods. This process should be automated and documented, allowing you to quickly detect and fix any discrepancies.# How to avoid the most common mistakes when migrating to the cloud?

Migrating to the cloud is a complex technical and organizational process that requires precise planning and a thorough understanding of your own IT infrastructure. Successful migration requires not only technical knowledge, but also awareness of potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. In this article, we will provide a detailed analysis of the technical aspects of migration and specific solutions to the most common problems.

What is migration to the cloud?

Moving infrastructure to the cloud is significantly different from traditional migrations between on-premise environments. In a cloud environment, there is a different model of responsibility for the different layers of infrastructure. The cloud provider assumes responsibility for the physical security of the data centers, the underlying network infrastructure and the hypervisor, while securing operating systems, applications and data remains with the customer.

A key element is to understand the architectural differences between on-premises and cloud environments. In a traditional data center, we have direct access to the hardware layer and full control over network configuration. In the cloud, on the other hand, we work on layers of abstraction, where the physical infrastructure is virtualized and managed by the provider. This fundamental difference often requires rethinking the application architecture and how resources are managed.

Why conduct an audit before migrating to the cloud?

A pre-migration audit is the foundation of a secure migration to the cloud. Its main purpose is to thoroughly understand the current systems architecture and their interdependencies. The first step is to analyze the application architecture, paying particular attention to how components communicate with each other. It is important to identify all integration points with external systems and the communication protocols used, as their implementation in the cloud may require modification.

Equally important is a detailed inventory of the resources used. A thorough analysis of the use of computing power, memory and disk space will allow the appropriate selection of instances in the target environment. It should be remembered that in the cloud we pay for the resources actually used, so precise determination of requirements can significantly affect operating costs.

How to prepare an effective IT infrastructure migration strategy to the cloud?

The migration strategy must take into account the specifics of each application and its role in the organization. The simplest approach is rehosting, i.e. moving the application without any changes to the code. This method works well for systems that are well optimized and do not require significant modifications. However, refactoring is often a better solution to take full advantage of cloud capabilities.

Refactoring an application for cloud-native requires more work, but brings long-term benefits. For example, rewriting a monolithic application to a microservice architecture allows independent scaling of individual components and easier version management. Additionally, using managed services eliminates the need to maintain the underlying infrastructure yourself.

Which systems and applications should be moved to the cloud first?

Choosing the first systems to migrate is critical to the success of the entire project. Experience shows that it’s best to start with applications that are relatively independent and not a critical part of the infrastructure. Developer and test environments are an ideal start, as they allow the IT team to gain hands-on experience with the cloud without risking operational disruption.

Special attention should be paid to analytical and big data processing systems. Moving them to the cloud often brings immediate benefits due to flexible scaling of computing power. In a cloud environment, resources can be dynamically adapted to current needs, which is especially important for tasks that process large volumes of data.

What are the key steps for a secure migration to the cloud?

The process of migrating to the cloud requires detailed planning for each step. First, the target environment must be prepared by configuring the basic elements of the network infrastructure. This includes setting up virtual private networks (VPCs), configuring subnets and implementing appropriate security policies. It is crucial to ensure the isolation of production and development environments through proper network segmentation.

The next step is to prepare the data migration path. For large databases, the transfer process can be time-consuming and require special tools. Consider using Database Migration Service, which automates the migration process and minimizes downtime. It is also important to plan a data synchronization strategy, especially for systems that need to run in parallel during the transition period.

How do you choose the right cloud provider for your infrastructure?

The choice of a cloud provider should be dictated not only by cost, but more importantly by the technical requirements of the application and the organization’s development plans. Each of the major providers offers unique services that may be key to specific use cases. For example, if an organization makes heavy use of containers, it is worth paying attention to the maturity of container orchestration and management services.

The availability of regions and availability zones is also an important aspect. The location of data centers affects not only compliance with data storage regulations, but also application latency. For latency-sensitive applications, the ability to choose the geographically closest region can be a key factor.