Data migration: Everything you need to know in terms of cybersecurity

Data migration is the process of transferring data from one storage system or computing environment to another. This process involves several key steps that ensure the data is selected, prepared, extracted, transformed, and transferred effectively and securely.

Data migration can involve moving data from one location to another, from one format to another, or from one application to another. It is an essential component of technological modernization, such as system upgrades, data consolidation, or cloud migration.

Reasons for performing data migration

Updating systems

When a company or organization changes its technological infrastructure, it is necessary to move the data to the new system to ensure continuity of operations.

Encompass data

To improve data management and organization, different storage systems can be merged into a single one.

Adapt to regulatory changes

Data protection policies are changing and industry-specific, requiring data storage to be carried out in accordance with these regulations.

However, data migration also presents challenges, such as data integrity, data loss, security, and system downtime, which must be carefully managed to ensure a successful migration.

Aspectos a tener en cuenta para hacer una migración de datos segura

To ensure a successful and secure data migration, it is important to consider the following key aspects.

Data preparation

Audits and data cleaning

Are all the data stored in a system relevant? Are there duplicate data? Data audits help identify duplicate data or errors, allowing for a clean-up of the systems before performing a migration.

Needs analysis and storage systems

Before performing a data migration, it is important to identify which data needs to be migrated and why.

Make backups

Technology is not infallible, and sometimes migrations can fail, leading to data loss. Therefore, it is important to make backups of the data to be migrated before starting the migration. At ESED, we recommend the 3-2-1 backup rule.

Migration planning and strategy

It is important to design a detailed plan that includes a timeline, budget, and contingency strategy. This plan should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities within the migration team.

Conducting pilot tests is crucial to ensure that the data is migrated correctly and that all functions operate as expected in the new system. This helps identify and correct issues before the full migration. Additionally, it helps verify that the source and destination platforms are compatible and that the tools used are appropriate for the type and volume of data being migrated.

During the planning and strategy phase, security risks associated with the migration should also be assessed to ensure that data is protected at all times.

Monitorización y mantenimiento

Once the migration is complete, it is important to monitor the systems to verify that everything has been done correctly and to resolve any potential issues.

It is also important to document the process and create a final report on the migration.

Cómo garantizar la ciberseguridad de los datos en una migración de datos

During a migration, to ensure data security, it is important to define a security plan that covers all stages of the migration.

To achieve this, the following cybersecurity solutions can be implemented:

Data encryption: Implement end-to-end encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest. This prevents unauthorized access during transfer.

Authentication and access control: Ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the data during the migration. Use two-factor authentication to enhance security.

Security testing: Conduct security tests before and after the migration to identify vulnerabilities and ensure there is no data corruption.

Legislative compliance: Adhere to applicable data protection regulations, such as GDPR, ensuring that personal data is handled in accordance with current laws.

Monitoring during migration: Set up real-time monitoring systems to detect suspicious activities during the migration.

As specialists in cybersecurity and IT solutions, we recommend that you engage a specialized IT technician for your data migration to ensure not only the security and integrity of the data but also to avoid errors such as data loss due to poor migration or deletion of essential data.

Need help with your migration? Our specialized technicians are available. Contact us at the following link.