Intelligent CIO North America Issue 59 | Page 37

TALKING

‘‘ business

Migrating an entire organisation’ s data and workflows to a public cloud is a daunting and complicated task – heavily impacted by the technology skills gap.

Essentially, the number of skilled workers does not meet the level required in the industry, leading to stifled business growth. Areas that require specialised and niche knowledge, like cybersecurity and cloud migration, are particularly affected.
Obviously, the technology skills gap is not an issue that any one organisation can solve, but for companies that want to migrate their data to a public cloud and lack the expertise to do so, partnering with a specialist will help close the skills gap.
Data security and compliance
One of the most pressing concerns for businesses when considering cloud migration is ensuring the security of mission critical data. Unsecured networks can lead to data breaches, whether through a malicious attack from a threat actor, or a genuine mistake by an employee. A data breach can have untold consequences on a business. From loss of revenue incurred from the cost to fix the issue and associated downtime, to a loss of customer and partner trust. Therefore, it is no surprise that decision-makers might be apprehensive about taking their data from an internal server and migrating it to a public cloud. different territories often have their own unique standards and requirements.
To address these risks, working with a cloud service provider to understand how to configure the chosen public cloud will ensure the correct cybersecurity protocols are in place to protect organisational data. Service providers can lend the specific expertise needed to achieve this, especially as most organisations are unlikely to have this knowledge as part of their inhouse IT team. An external cloud provider will also be familiar with any relevant industry regulations, ensuring that the cloud platform is compliant.
Legacy systems integration
Another key issue that can cause decision-makers to be hesitant about migrating key workflows to the cloud is integrating legacy systems into the new network. A lot of vital applications used by businesses pre-date cloud technology, and as such are not designed to operate in a cloud environment. These systems, which in many cases are key to the function of the business, may require substantial modification to ensure compatibility with the new environment. Furthermore, migrating these applications could lead to downtime if not done correctly.
Working with a cloud partner is key to ensuring any legacy applications are correctly configured for a new cloud environment. The cloud service provider is able to fully audit existing IT infrastructure and identify which
Additionally, many businesses must adhere to strict industry standards surrounding the safeguarding of their data, particularly in heavily regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance. Businesses must understand these regulations, including DORA, NIS 2, and GDPR, and how they apply when considering cloud migration. This can become even more complicated for global businesses, as
It is imperative that organisations have the correct expertise at their disposal to make sure the process is as smooth as possible.
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