Cloud Migration: A Complete Guide to Storage Services

With an increasing number of Cloud users, the security of data, along with infrastructure surveillance, becomes essential. Companies in various sectors, including IT, retail, marketing, finance, etc. are moving to Cloud. Not just companies, even individuals prefer storing their data to the Cloud. Not to mention, this trend continues to increase due to the digitalization and the accumulation of large volumes of data. However, the question is- Is it safe to move data to Cloud?

Since it’s your data, it’s your sole responsibility to ensure that appropriate security measures are in place. Before moving your business-critical data to Cloud drive, encrypt it using best-in-class algorithms. And believe it- Encryption works.

Checklist to Move Data to Cloud

Your business-critical data needs more; so, make sure that you are extra vigilant while picking up the Cloud storage providers. Firstly, talk about what security measures they are implementing to protect their infrastructure against intrusion and third-party access.

Secondly, what if the Cloud suffers downtime or any technical inconsistencies? Have you signed a confidentiality agreement with your service provider?

Moreover, you must know who can gain access to data stored on Cloud media, and under what circumstances? Users believe that their data belongs to them, and none other than the authorized personnel can view the stored information. But this is not the case.

Do not forget that you do not own the storage space where your business-critical data or personal information is stored.

Cloud companies manage the cyberspace as per several laws, guidelines, and data privacy rules. But, Cloud users generally don’t know what these rules and guidelines are. Well, another significant aspect to consider before you move data to Cloud is the location of the datacentres.

You must know if the data center is located overseas or at a local location. The reason is that the location can affect data privacy and storage guidelines. The service provider must assure that the Cloud infrastructure they are using to store critical data is GDPR compliant.

If you are new to GDPR, here’s is the definition.

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It is a set of rules that gives EU citizens extensive control over their personal data.

ISO 27001 Datacentres for Best in Class Security

The datacentres must be ISO 27001 certified as it is the widely accepted certification that ensures information security. ISO 27001 certified datacentres ensure that security measures are in place and are enforced consistently as per changing business needs. It implies that the Cloud infrastructure is capable of mitigating risks and threats.

Why ISO 27001 Certified Datacenters

ISO 27001 certification means that the ‘Comprehensive Information Security Management System’ is in place. The system:

• manages the policies, people, organizational structure, and integrated processes.
• guarantees that the service provider conducts a consistent review of services and infrastructure
• assures that valid provisions are in practice for the betterment of processes.
• explains the service provider’s obligation and assurance to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of assets managed by the business.

Whatever technology you rely upon- you need regular updates and upgrades; otherwise, the security measures you use might go obsolete.

Always ask the Cloud storage provider to initiate regular upgrades, and integrate the latest add-ons as and when required. It will ensure that the right security processes are in place with the current market trends. Last but not least, the data stored on the Cloud must be highly available with zero downtime. High-availability ensures on-time restore of data to keep the business processes running.