10 Factors Businesses Must Consider Before Cloud Migration

Cloud technologies are getting wide adoption by businesses for good reasons. A popular process known as cloud migration could potentially save your business money and make your organization’s data more secure.

While traditional business applications are still used by many companies, the cloud offers an appealing alternative to the small business owner to leverage the power of cloud infrastructure without a full investment.

In this article, we look at some factors to consider before migrating your business to the cloud.

1. Running Costs

One of the advantages of moving to the cloud is the cost-efficiency. While a small business can cut down on hardware and staffing costs, some applications are costly to run on the cloud.

For example, legacy enterprise software may be costly to maintain and run when deployed to the cloud. Also, your business should consider other costs such as network and bandwidths especially for large data migration.

2. Business Goals

You must evaluate how the cloud will benefit your business before migrating. This involves having clearly defined business goals and doing a risk-benefit analysis that will help you understand the need to move to the cloud and how it can support your business goals.

3. Cloud Environment

When contemplating moving your apps and data to the cloud, you need to decide on the type of cloud environment that is best for your business.

There are four ways your organization can choose to move to the cloud, they include:

  • Public cloud operated by third-party companies with access to shared or dedicated computing resources over the internet.
  • Private Cloud for businesses that run their own cloud service in their own data center.
  • Hybrid Cloud Model combines both public and private cloud environments.
  • Multi-Clouds that involve the use of multiple public cloud provider’s infrastructure and applications for business needs.

4. Security

Security is a top issue when moving to the cloud. While transferring your data and apps, you must ensure adequate security is in place to prevent data leakage or snooping by unauthorized parties.

You also need to secure your data when it gets to the cloud.

5. Data to be Migrated

When deciding to move your business to the cloud, you need to choose apps and data that will best function in the cloud.

Your organization needs to analyze its current technologies to see which data and applications are worth migrating . Others may be left to run on the local systems until they are upgraded or replaced.

6. Industry Compliance

For certain industries such as health, choosing a cloud provider is only half of the issue. The migration must comply with industry regulations.

This could mean that you are only allowed to use cloud providers with certain features and cannot move users’ data out of specific regions.

7. Disaster Recovery Plan

Big tech changes come with risks. There could be migration failure, data corruption, and unavailability of cloud platforms.

What have your organization put in place to prevent or manage possible business disruptions?

8. Adequate Infrastructure

The infrastructure to handle business processes locally may be different from that required by the cloud.

Preparations and resources needed for cloud migration include apps compatibility test, employee training, and new operational policy.

9. Cloud Service Providers

As a small business owner, you are more likely to need the service of public cloud platforms.

Popular public cloud services include AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. To choose a cloud provider, you should consider pricing, security, availability, support, compliance, reliability, and location.

Niche cloud providers may provide better services if your industry is under strict regulations.

10. Cloud Migration Strategy

It may seem straightforward to move data to the cloud. However, a successful migration requires that you study the process and create a plan suitable for your organization.

A migration plan will make transferring data and syncing on-premise and cloud resources easier. It will also help you manage or avoid potential issues that may arise in the process of migration.

Extra Tip! Service Level Agreement(SLA)

An SLA defines the scope of support, deliverables, and services to expect from a cloud service provider. It also documents how much help you can get if there is a glitch or breach in your cloud system.

Choose a cloud provider that provides a fitting SLA for your business.

Migrating to the cloud has its advantages but you have to consider the issues discussed above before deciding on the best approach. As a small business owner, you may not have the resources to appraise your business needs and create a cloud migration strategy. Contact us today if you are interested in cloud migration for your business.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.