Cloud migration promises SMBs improved scalability, agility, cost efficiency, and, thus, faster innovation. Yet, many of these organizations quickly realize that the journey isn’t as simple as “shifting” everything to the cloud. There are hidden cloud migration challenges like skill gaps, security concerns, downtime risks, and spiraling costs.
These challenges can derail timelines and disrupt business operations. Additionally, a “lift and shift” approach to cloud migration will further exacerbate issues like unforeseen security gaps. It will also highlight the lack of improvement and lowered cost-efficacy.
Gartner states that over 60% of digital transformation projects fail to meet expectations because of poor planning. Unforeseen migration issues also contribute to this failure. For IT leaders, the question isn’t whether to migrate, but how to migrate smoothly, securely, and cost-effectively.
This blog breaks down the top common cloud migration challenges. It provides practical solutions to help SMBs move to the cloud with confidence. You can put your cloud migration concerns to rest with the support of EnCyb. They are an experienced and specialized UAE-based MSP. EnCyb specializes in managed cloud and cybersecurity services, addressing security concerns effectively.
1. Skills Gap and Lack of Cloud Migration Expertise
Most SMBs don’t have dedicated cloud architects or security engineers in-house which can lead to:
- Bad Platform Choices (AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud Platform)
- Misconfigured Environments
- Delays & Cost Overruns
- Security Gaps
How to Solve It
- Conduct a Cloud Readiness Assessment to find gaps
- Leverage managed cloud services over building large internal teams
- Start with a phased migration approach rather than a full overhaul
- Use predefined architectures and implement best practices from cloud providers
How EnCyb Can Help
EnCyb’s cloud management services, enCloud, and Managed DevOps services, enStack, can offer expert-led cloud design, deployment, and ongoing optimization. This eliminates the need to create in-house cloud teams.
2. Data Security & Compliance Risks
Moving data off-premises raises concerns around:
- Data Residency Laws (crucial for UAE-based organizations and regulated sectors)
- Encryption and Access Controls
- Identity and Privilege Management
- Logging and Monitoring Gaps
A misconfigured cloud environment can cause data breaches. It is a common point of failure for organizations globally.
How to Solve It
- Implement Zero Trust Access Controls
- Encrypt Data (at rest and in transit)
- Map Compliance Requirements (ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, UAE regulations, among others)
- Allow Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection
How EnCyb Helps:
EnCyb’s SOC as a Service, enDetect, can deliver 24/7 threat monitoring. It offers log analytics and incident detection to secure cloud workloads. These services protect against evolving cyber threats.
3. Unexpected Cloud Costs & Budget Overruns
Cloud is perceived as cost-saving, but without governance, organizations will face:
- Over-provisioned and Underutilized Resources
- Idle Workloads
- Data Egress Charges
- Licensing Surprises
How to Solve It
- There are a few measures that organizations implement to improve budget tracking when implementing and running cloud environments:
- Right-size Resource
sAllocation (based on usage patterns)
- Allow Auto-scaling (based on traffic and demand)
- Setting Budget Alerts and Cost Policies
- Implement FinOps Best Practices
- Check Performance Regularly
How EnCyb Helps:
EnCyb’s cloud specialists can offer predictable pricing. They offer optimized and tailored costs. This includes cloud cost-efficiency through rigorous testing and optimization.
4. Migration Downtime & Disruption Mitigation
Issues that occur during the migration process failures can cascade quickly via:
- Application Downtime
- Productivity Loss
- Customer-facing Outages
- Reputation Damage
How to Solve It
Here are some measures organizations use to mitigate downtime or service disruptions when migrating to the cloud:
- Rank Critical Workloads
- Use a Phased Migration Approach
- Run Pre-migration Testing
- Create Rollback Plans
- Backup All Systems (before migration)
5. Compatibility Issues with Legacy Systems
Older apps, databases, or hardware aren’t typically cloud-ready. They do not integrate well in newer frameworks or with newer, cloud-ready applications. This means organizations using legacy systems will have to plan for:
- Rewrites or Re-architecting
- Integration Challenges
- Security Gaps in Outdated Systems
How to Solve It
One way organizations can get around this limitation is to use a rigorous migration framework like the 6Rs Migration Framework:
- Rehost
- Replatform
- Refactor
- Repurchase
- Retire
- Retain
No matter how rigorous the migration framework, it is still important to cover all bases. Start with low-risk workloads to build confidence and maturity.
Best Practices in Cloud Migration
- Start with a Cloud Readiness Assessment
- Define Clear KPIs (performance, cost, security)
- Choose the Right Cloud Model (Public
- Implement Strong Identity and Acess Management (IAM) and Governance Policies
- Observe and Optimize Continuously, —not just Post-migration
Why EnCyb Is the Ideal Partner for Cloud Migrations
As a UAE-based MSP focused on security-driven cloud transformations, EnCyb is fully equipped to offers:
- Cloud Strategy & Readiness Assessments
- Secure Cloud Migration Planning
- 24/7 Monitoring SOC Services
- Cost to performance optimization and Resource Management
- Governance, compliance & risk management
With EnCyb’s assistance, cloud migration becomes a predictable, secure, and business-aligned endeavor, instead of an overwhelming one.
Conclusion
Cloud migration is no longer optional for organizations looking to scale, innovate, and stay competitive. Yet, the journey comes with real risks—from security and skills shortages to downtime and cost overruns. Understanding these cloud migration challenges is crucial. Addressing them with a structured, expert-led approach can dramatically reduce complexity. This approach ensures a smooth transition.
EnCyb can empower SMBs and regulated industries. It meets their security, compliance, and pricing needs. These are addressed with tailored cloud migration services. The services are supported by exceptional 24/7 monitoring, managed services, and round the clock support.
FAQs
Skill gaps, security risks, downtime during migration, and unpredictable costs.
Implement end-to-end encryption, Identity and Access Management (IAM), compliance controls, and SOC monitoring.
Setting budgetary guidelines, optimising workloads, and monitoring performance and resource usage.
Full migration can take anywhere from weeks to months, depending on complexity and application readiness.
Not always—some applications require refactoring or re-platforming to be cloud-ready.
You can, but shouldn’t—a phased approach reduces disruption and security risks you face during the migration process.
While it’s not mandatory, MSPs can significantly reduce risk and accelerate migration timelines.
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