Migrating to the cloud is no longer just an option for businesses—it’s a strategic necessity in today’s digital landscape. The cloud offers unparalleled scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, but it also presents a unique set of cloud network security challenges. A misstep in securing your network during migration can expose sensitive data, disrupt operations, and impact compliance.
Whether you are deploying a multi-cloud network security strategy, migrating legacy systems to a network cloud solution or building a hybrid cloud infrastructure, securing your network is foremost. So, here’s your step-by-step checklist to a seamless, secure, and future-proofed migration.
From evaluating your existing infrastructure to optimizing performance after migration, we’ve covered all the key processes required to securely migrate to the cloud. There are seven phases in this comprehensive cloud migration checklist. Let’s start with the first phase.
Phase 1: Pre-migration Assessment
| Step | Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Evaluate current infrastructure | Identify and evaluate infrastructure components. | Understand the existing IT landscape and dependencies. |
| 2. Perform a gap analysis. | Compare current and desired state. | Identify gaps in performance, cost, and compliance readiness. |
| 3. Define migration goals and KPIs. | List primary goals and expected outcomes. | Ensure migration objectives align with business needs. |
| 4. Select a network cloud solution provider. | Choose the best-fit CSP. | Match cloud services with organization requirements (scalability, pricing). |
| 5. Define a migration strategy. | Choose Lift-and-Shift, Re-platform, etc. | Tailor the migration approach to your workloads and goals. |
| 6. Select migration team. | Identify in-house/outsourced team. | Ensure sufficient expertise and accountability for migration tasks. |
| 7. Create a cloud readiness checklist. | Establish a readiness criteria. | Prepare for seamless migration by identifying gaps. |
| 8. Develop a detailed migration roadmap. | Plan timelines, milestones, and resources. | Reduce downtime and optimize execution stages. |
1. Evaluate Current Infrastructure
Companies prepare themselves by assessing their IT cloud network infrastructure by looking at their hardware, software, networking components, and dependencies. Know what system, applications, and services are running on your environment. Document the following:
- Hardware inventory: Servers, storage devices, and networking equipment.
- Software: Applications, operating systems, and middleware versions.
- Network architecture: Current topology, firewall configurations, and IP schemes.
- Usage patterns: Peak loads and system utilization metrics.
Output: A detailed overview of your existing IT landscape to help pinpoint potential roadblocks to migration.
2. Perform a Gap Analysis
A gap analysis looks at the baseline of your current environment versus the desired state after migration. Identify the resources, tools, and processes you’ll need to meet business objectives in the cloud. You can use tools such as Network Detection and Response (NDR) or Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions to identify cloud network security gaps in the current infrastructure. Focus areas include:
- Performance: Can existing systems handle anticipated workloads in the cloud?
- Security: Are there weaknesses in access control or data protection?
- Compliance: Are your systems meeting industry and legal regulations?
- Skills: Does your team have the necessary cloud network security expertise?
Outcome: A list of gaps in infrastructure, capabilities, and processes to address before migration.
3. Define Migration Goals and KPIs
Set clear, measurable objectives for your migration to ensure alignment with business priorities. Define both qualitative and quantitative goals, such as:
- Performance improvements: Faster processing times or reduced downtime.
- Cost optimization: Achieving specific reductions in operational costs.
- Business agility: Ability to scale resources quickly.
- Compliance: Adherence to regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.
Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure migration success, such as:
- Application response times
- Cloud cost savings post-migration
- Uptime percentage
4. Select a Cloud Provider
Choosing the right cloud service provider (CSP) is critical to achieving your migration goals. Fidelis security’ are compatible with major cloud service providers and their solutions such as Fidelis Halo® complement cloud-native security features. Assess cloud service providers based on factors like:
- Features and compatibility: Ensure the provider supports your required services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
- Geographic coverage: Does the provider have data centers in your region to ensure low latency?
- Security features: Availability of encryption, access controls, and compliance certifications.
- Cost: Pricing models, billing transparency, and cost predictability.
- Customer support and SLAs: Provider responsiveness and guarantees for uptime.
Outcome: A selected cloud partner that meets your business, technical, and compliance requirements.
5. Define a Migration Strategy
Determine the best migration approach for your workloads:
- Lift-and-Shift: Moving applications as-is without modification.
- Re-platforming: Making minimal modifications to optimize applications for the cloud.
- Refactoring: Rewriting applications for full cloud-native compatibility.
- Hybrid: Keeping some workloads on-premises while migrating others to the cloud.
Factors influencing strategy include application complexity, budget, and downtime tolerance.
Outcome: A clear plan tailored to the needs of your specific workloads.
6. Select a Migration Team
- Cloud architects: Responsible for designing the cloud environment.
- IT administrators: Oversee network, storage, and server configurations.
- Security specialists: Ensure compliance and protect sensitive data during migration.
- Third-party vendors or partners: When in-house expertise is insufficient.
Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols for team members.
Outcome: A competent team in place to execute each phase of migration seamlessly.
7. Create a Cloud Readiness Checklist
Use this checklist to assess and prepare for migration. Focus areas should include:
- Infrastructure: Confirm whether current systems can connect seamlessly with cloud network security components.
- Data: Determine data volumes, formats, and cleansing requirements.
- Compliance: Validate policies for data protection, retention, and encryption.
- Skillset: Identify training or certifications needed for the team.
- Tools: Evaluate migration tools for compatibility and efficiency.
Outcome: A verified checklist ensuring readiness across all critical areas before migration.
8. Develop a Detailed Migration Roadmap
Develop a timeline to streamline the migration process with milestones for each step. Include the following:
- Scope: Define applications, data, and cloud network infrastructure to be migrated.
- Phases: Break migration into logical steps (e.g., pilot migration, core data migration).
- Timeline: Establish realistic timeframes for each phase and dependencies.
- Resources: Allocate team members, tools, and budget for every task.
- Downtime plan: Schedule migration during low-impact periods to minimize disruptions.
Include fallback strategies for rollback in case of unexpected issues during migration.
Outcome: A detailed roadmap serving as a blueprint for the entire migration process.
Lift-and-shift migrations don’t have to be risky. Fidelis Halo® ensures:
- End-to-end security for migrating workloads
- Continuous compliance in hybrid environments
- Real-time monitoring to prevent breaches
Phase 2: Application Readiness
| Step | Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 9. Assess application suitability. | Identify migration-ready applications. | Simplify prioritization for migration. |
| 10. Identify dependencies and integrations. | List dependencies between software systems. | Prevent interruptions by accounting for app relationships. |
| 11. Evaluate application architecture. | Assess modernization options. | Decide between refactoring or rehosting applications. |
| 12. Optimize application performance pre-migration. | Address performance issues. | Reduce migration and post-migration challenges. |
9. Assess Application Suitability
Before migrating, determine which applications are suitable for the cloud. Categorize applications based on their complexity, value, and compatibility. Steps to assess include:
- Cloud readiness evaluation: Use tools to check compatibility with cloud environments.
- Criticality assessment: Identify business-critical applications that need minimal downtime.
- Technical constraints: Determine software dependencies, OS compatibility, and required resources.
- Cost-benefit analysis: Assess whether migrating an application to the cloud justifies the costs.
- Modernization requirements: Identify outdated applications needing updates for cloud network security optimization.
Outcome: A prioritized list of applications that can be migrated or need redesign before migration.
10. Identify Dependencies and Integrations
Understand how your applications interact with each other to avoid disruptions during migration. Create a dependency map that includes:
- Data flows: Chart how applications exchange data and the volume of data traffic.
- Shared Services: Identify shared resources like databases, APIs, or authentication services.
- Third-party integrations: Document external connections, such as CRM, ERP, or payment gateways.
- Latency Requirements: Assess whether any dependencies require low-latency environments.
Outcome: A clear understanding of the interdependencies and integrations that need careful management during migration.
11. Evaluate Application Architecture
Analyze the architecture of your applications to determine if updates or restructuring are required for optimal cloud network security performance. Focus on:
- Monolithic vs. Microservices architecture: Transitioning monolithic apps to microservices where needed.
- Database compatibility: Ensuring the database structure aligns with cloud-native capabilities like scalability and redundancy.
- Scalability potential: Identify opportunities for horizontal or vertical scaling.
- Stateful vs. Stateless design: Ensure apps work efficiently in distributed cloud environments.
Outcome: Architecture updates that enhance performance, reliability, and scalability in the cloud.
12. Optimize Application Performance Pre-Migration
Address any performance bottlenecks in your applications to ensure they run optimally post-migration. Optimization steps include:
- Code Optimization: Refactor inefficient code to reduce latency and increase throughput.
- Database tuning: Perform query optimization, index reviews, and eliminate redundant data.
- Resource Allocation: Adjust CPU, memory, and storage allocations to meet application needs.
- Load Testing: Run stress tests to identify weaknesses under peak usage.
- Caching Implementation: Use caching mechanisms to reduce repetitive tasks or queries.
Outcome: Applications that are well-tuned to deliver high performance once hosted in the cloud.
Phase 3: Data Migration
| Step | Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 13. Identify data to be migrated. | Catalog all data sources. | Document and secure critical data. |
| 14. Choose the migration method. | Define tools and techniques. | Ensure secure, efficient data transfer. |
| 15. Data backup and encryption. | Safeguard critical data. | Avoid data loss and ensure confidentiality during transit. |
| 16. Verify data integrity post-migration. | Conduct checksum/validation tests. | Ensure accuracy and completeness of migrated data. |
13. Identify Data to Be Migrated
Catalog the data to ensure seamless and efficient migration without unnecessary clutter. Steps include:
- Data Categorization: Classify data into critical, operational, and archival categories.
- Volume Estimation: Evaluate the size and scope of data to be migrated.
- Data Residency: Determine which data must remain within specific geographical regions.
- Obsolete Data: Clean up redundant, outdated, or trivial data before migration.
Outcome: A comprehensive inventory of data, prepared and streamlined for migration.
14. Choose the Migration Method
Select the migration approach that aligns with your data volume, downtime tolerance, and operational requirements. Consider:
- Lift and shift: Transfer data as-is, often suitable for minimal reconfiguration needs.
- Re-platforming: Migrate with slight modifications to optimize performance.
- Data Synchronization: For real-time updates between legacy systems and the cloud.
- Hybrid Migration: Use a phased approach for complex, high-volume data.
- Cloud-Native Tools: Leverage tools offered by the selected cloud provider.
Outcome: A tailored migration strategy to optimize cost, time, and data accessibility during the process.
15. Data Backup and Encryption
Secure your data and ensure its safety by preparing backups and encrypting sensitive cloud information. Fidelis security’s Data Loss Prevention (DLP) can ensure sensitive cloud information security through encryption and backup validation.
- Data backup: Create full and incremental backups of all critical datasets to a secure location.
- Backup testing: Verify if the backups are recoverable.
- Access controls: Define and enforce strict permissions for backup files.
- Disaster recovery plan: Establish failover mechanisms to manage potential disruptions.
16. Verify Data Integrity Post-Migration
- Checksum verification: Use checksums to confirm that migrated data matches source data.
- Data accuracy testing: Validate data structure, relationships, and referential integrity.
- Spot Checks: Sample test a percentage of migrated data for accuracy and usability.
Outcome: Assurance that all data has been successfully and accurately migrated without loss or corruption.
Phase 4: Infrastructure Migration
| Step | Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 17. Replicate or reconfigure infrastructure. | Prepare infrastructure for migration. | Achieve cloud compatibility and scalability. |
| 18. Configure cloud security layers. | Add encryption, firewalls, etc. | Mitigate risks during migration. |
17. Replicate or Reconfigure Infrastructure
To ensure the cloud environment functions as expected, replicate existing infrastructure or reconfigure it for compatibility with cloud platforms. Key steps include:
- Infrastructure Mapping: Identify which components (e.g., servers, VMs, storage) need replication or reconfiguration.
- Environment setup: Set up virtual machines, databases, and other cloud network security resources to mirror your existing infrastructure.
- Scaling configurations: Leverage the cloud’s elasticity by configuring resources for auto-scaling based on demand.
- Network Configurations: Ensure Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), subnets, and connectivity setups are in place.
- Tool Integration: Enable essential services and monitoring tools. Fidelis XDR enables real-time monitoring and ensures seamless transitions for applications requiring high scalability and distributed environments.
- Application Hosting: Migrate applications, adjusting configurations as necessary for cloud optimization.
Outcome: A functional cloud network security environment replicating or surpassing the capabilities of your current infrastructure.
18. Configure Cloud Security Layers
Protect your cloud environment by implementing robust cloud network security protocols and aligning configurations with best practices. To ensure cloud security layers, steps include:
- Identity and Access Management (IAM): Configure role-based access controls (RBAC) to restrict user permissions to least privilege.
- Encryption Setup: Set up encryptions for data both at rest and in transit
- Firewall Rules: Set up firewalls, cloud information security groups, and web application firewalls (WAF) to determine the traffic allowed to enter or leave your network.
- Endpoint Protection: You want to make sure that the endpoint devices that access the cloud are secure and compliant with cloud information security standards.
- Audit and Logging: Enable logging services to track activity and facilitate incident investigation.
- Vulnerability Scans: Run vulnerabilities scans to detect and fix network security in cloud vulnerabilities in the very environment.
Outcome: A secure cloud setup that minimizes the risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and vulnerabilities.
Phase 5: Testing and Validation
| Step | Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 19. Perform functional testing. | Validate system functionality. | Ensure all components work as expected. |
| 20. Conduct performance testing. | Test scalability and responsiveness. | Identify bottlenecks under load. |
| 21. Validate security and compliance. | Check data encryption and regulatory adherence. | Meet compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA). |
19. Perform Functional Testing
Ensure all systems, applications, and services migrated to the cloud work as expected and meet operational requirements. Steps include:
- Application functionality tests: Verify that core application features and workflows perform as intended in the cloud environment.
- Compatibility checks: Test integrations and dependencies between applications and third-party services.
- System interoperability: Confirm smooth interaction between migrated and on-premises systems (if using a hybrid model).
- UI/UX validation: Assess user interfaces to ensure seamless operation and responsiveness.
- Bug identification: Document and resolve any issues uncovered during testing.
Outcome: All functionalities are tested and validated, ensuring business operations continue uninterrupted in the cloud.
20. Conduct Performance Testing
Evaluate the performance of applications and cloud network infrastructure in the cloud to ensure they meet or exceed predefined benchmarks. Steps include:
- Stress testing: Simulate heavy workloads to test system limits and identify bottlenecks.
- Load testing: Assess application performance under expected traffic conditions.
- Scalability testing: Validate that cloud resources scale up or down dynamically as demand fluctuates.
- Latency measurement: Test data transfer and system response times to ensure optimal performance.
- Cost-performance analysis: Evaluate resource usage against the operational budget to confirm cost efficiency.
Outcome: The cloud environment is optimized to deliver high performance and meet both technical and user expectations.
21. Validate Security and Compliance
Ensure that the migrated environment aligns with cloud network security best practices and complies with industry standards. Steps include:
- Access control audits: Verify that access controls are configured correctly and adhere to the principle of least privilege.
- Penetration Testing: Simulate cyberattacks to test the effectiveness of network security in cloud.
- Encryption Checks: Confirm encryption of data in transit and at rest across all cloud services.
- Compliance Validation: Ensure adherence to relevant regulatory standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS).
- Logging and Monitoring: Validate the setup of continuous monitoring tools for anomaly detection and auditing. Fidelis XDR enables real-time monitoring.
- Disaster Recovery Testing: Assess recovery plans to ensure backup systems and failovers function as designed.
Outcome: A secure and compliant cloud environment capable of protecting sensitive data and minimizing risk exposure.
Public cloud environments can be tricky—make them secure by learning to:
- Monitor compliance continuously
- Prevent security gaps in real time
- Enhance visibility across all workloads
Phase 6: Cutover and Going Live
| Step | Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 22. Final data synchronization. | Sync legacy and cloud environments. | Ensure smooth transition with minimal disruption. |
| 23. Update DNS and network configurations. | Direct users to the new environment. | Ensure connectivity and usability of applications. |
| 24. Confirm user access and roles. | Validate IAM configurations. | Prevent unauthorized access and downtime. |
22. Final Data Synchronization
Ensure that the most recent and accurate data is migrated to the cloud environment, minimizing discrepancies and ensuring seamless transition.
- Identify Changes: Capture incremental changes made to data after initial migration (delta migration).
- Synchronization tools: Use specialized tools or scripts for real-time data sync.
- Verification: Cross-check data consistency between legacy systems and the cloud to identify anomalies or mismatches.
- Testing post-sync: Revalidate migrated data to ensure all critical data points have transferred successfully.
- Freeze Operations: Consider freezing changes to certain applications or databases temporarily during the final sync to avoid discrepancies.
Outcome: The cloud environment reflects the most current data, ensuring business continuity.
23. Update DNS and Network Configurations
Adjust domain name system (DNS) and network settings to ensure seamless routing to the new cloud network infrastructure.
- DNS Updates: Redirect traffic to the cloud servers by updating DNS records (e.g., A records, CNAMEs).
- Network Connectivity: Configure routing, VPNs, and private link connections for secure and optimal network performance.
- Traffic Redirection: Use DNS services to implement phased rollouts, such as canary or blue-green deployments, to minimize risk.
- Load Balancer Setup: Ensure proper load balancer configurations for distributing traffic across cloud servers.
- Rollback plan: Have a contingency plan in place to revert to previous settings if issues arise during DNS updates.
Outcome: Network configurations direct users to the cloud-based environment, ensuring smooth connectivity and functionality.
24. Confirm User Access and Roles
Ensure that all authorized users have access to the necessary resources in the cloud while preventing unauthorized access.
- Role verification: Confirm that roles and permissions align with organizational access policies (e.g., admin vs. user privileges).
- MFA and SSO: Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO) where applicable.
- Access testing: Test user access to critical systems, ensuring no disruptions for operational workflows.
- Audit unused accounts: Identify and remove accounts that are inactive or no longer required.
- User communication: Notify users of any changes to access procedures or credentials post-migration.
- Training: Provide training on accessing and using cloud resources effectively, if necessary.
Outcome: Users can securely and seamlessly access the cloud environment, enabling operational readiness.
Phase 7: Post-Migration Optimization
| Step | Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 25. Optimize resource allocation. | Assess resource utilization. | Improve cost efficiency and scalability. |
| 26. Monitor performance and fine-tuning. | Use monitoring tools for insights. | Maintain high availability and responsiveness. |
| 27. Review cost management strategy. | Evaluate billing models. | Ensure cost predictability and savings. |
| 28. Update documentation. | Document system changes. | Ensure clear understanding and future reference. |
25. Optimize Resource Allocation
Fine-tune the use of cloud resources to maximize performance while minimizing costs.
- Right-size instances: Assess your cloud instances and allocate resources (CPU, memory, and storage) according to your workload needs.
- Auto-scaling: Enable auto-scaling for workloads to adapt dynamically to changing demands.
- Idle resource identification: Identify and decommission orientation or idle resources to eliminate wasting bills.
- Optimized storage: Use tiered storage solutions for cost efficiency, prioritizing frequently accessed data in high-performance tiers.
Outcome: Resources are efficiently allocated, ensuring a balance between performance and cost.
26. Monitor Performance and Fine-Tuning
Implement ongoing monitoring to ensure optimal system performance and swiftly address emerging issues.
- Set thresholds: Define thresholds for critical metrics, such as latency, throughput, and resource usage, to trigger alerts.
- Identify bottlenecks: Regularly analyze logs and metrics to spot performance bottlenecks or anomalies.
- Optimization iterations: Apply changes based on monitoring insights, such as redistributing workloads or optimizing database queries.
- User feedback: Collect feedback to identify overlooked performance issues that affect end-users.
Outcome: Proactive monitoring ensures consistent cloud performance and swift resolution of issues.
27. Review Cost Management Strategy
Assess your spending on cloud services and refine strategies to maintain budget alignment.
- Budget alerts: Set spending limits and receive alerts to avoid exceeding budgets.
- Usage reviews: Periodically review subscriptions, software licenses, and services to identify underused resources.
- Cost-efficiency tools: Employ cost optimization tools that recommend configurations to save on expenses.
- Long-term contracts: Evaluate the feasibility of using reserved instances or savings plans to reduce recurring costs.
Outcome: A cost-effective cloud deployment with transparent spending control mechanisms.
28. Update Documentation
Maintain detailed documentation to support operational continuity and future migrations.
- Architecture diagram updates: Reflect changes in the system architecture post-migration.
- Configuration records: Document the configurations of cloud resources, including cloud network security settings and scaling policies.
- Team processes: Revise operational procedures and workflows affected by the migration.
- Incident response plans: Update disaster recovery and incident response plans to accommodate cloud systems.
- Training materials: Revise user and team guides to reflect the updated environment and workflows.
Outcome: Comprehensive, up-to-date documentation ensures a well-documented cloud environment that facilitates operations, troubleshooting, and audits.
Additional Steps
29. Train Employees on the New Environment
- Reduce user error and enhance adoption: Offer hands-on training, focusing on key cloud functionalities and workflows.
- Empower team to use cloud services effectively: Provide comprehensive support to improve team proficiency in using cloud tools.
- Training and Change Management: Foster an adaptable workforce by communicating changes and providing ongoing training.
30. Set up Continuous Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans
- Ensure business continuity: Implement real-time backups and automated failover processes to safeguard operations.
- Safeguard against unexpected outages or failures: Design robust recovery systems to minimize downtime in case of system disruptions.
- Post-Migration Optimization: Regularly update backup protocols to align with changing workloads and needs.
From Start to Finish: How Fidelis Halo® Supports Cloud Migration
Migrating to the cloud is a complex process that has challenges at every phase of the journey. Fidelis Halo® simplifies the process, offering a holistic solution for secure, effective and seamless migration. Fidelis Halo® has the strongest Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) that is highly focused on the critical phases of migration to keep your development lifecycles secure.
Here’s how Fidelis Halo® can help across migration phases:
Unlock the power of Fidelis CloudPassage Halo® for:
- Simplifying cloud security for complex environments
- Achieving real-time, continuous compliance
- Reducing risk with automated workload protection
