A lot has been said and written about the benefits moving data to the cloud can offer to businesses large and small, including improved scalability, greater collaboration efficiency, and better business continuity.
But unlocking these and other benefits isn’t possible without overcoming several major obstacles that any business is guaranteed to face when moving data to the cloud.
Top 5 Issues When Moving Data to the Cloud
1. Cost of Migration
Many businesses move to the cloud to reduce costs tied to maintaining in-house IT infrastructure.
And while cloud migration can quickly pay for itself, success depends on having a strategic plan…one that aligns with your goals, current setup, and future needs.
In some cases, migrating in phases works best. In others, an all-at-once move may be more effective. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
It’s also worth noting: a full cloud migration isn’t always necessary.
A hybrid cloud model – where on-premises systems work alongside cloud services – can offer the right balance of flexibility, control, and cost savings.
2. Cybersecurity and Compliance Concerns
Moving to the cloud means putting your data in someone else’s hands. A decision that makes many business leaders uneasy, and understandably so.
A data breach caused by a provider’s weak security can be both financially devastating and reputation-shattering.
This concern is especially critical for industries with strict regulations, like healthcare and finance, where compliance with laws such as HIPAA or the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act isn’t optional.
To safeguard your data and to stay compliant, it’s essential to understand what you’re protecting and the risks involved.
Only then can you choose a cloud partner equipped to meet your security and regulatory needs.
Learn how to overcome the challenge of cloud security with this guide tailored for small businesses.
3. Vendor Lock-in
Vendor lock-in happens when your business becomes so reliant on one cloud provider that switching – due to cost, complexity, or technical barriers – feels nearly impossible.
This is a common pitfall after cloud migration, but it’s avoidable.
A multi-cloud strategy can help you stay agile by leveraging the strengths of multiple vendors, rather than getting locked into one.
While it may require more planning upfront, the flexibility, resilience, and negotiating power it provides often make it well worth the effort.
Especially as your business scales or needs evolve.
4. Internal Resistance
Change resistance is common – especially during cloud migrations.
Some employees may be hesitant to adopt new systems due to uncertainty or skepticism about the benefits.
But internal resistance can derail even the most well-planned migration.
That’s why it’s essential to take a strategic approach:
- Secure leadership buy-in early
- Offer hands-on training in plain language
- Choose user-friendly cloud tools that make adoption easier
When employees see support from the top and understand how the tools work, they’re far more likely to embrace the change and use the new system effectively.
5. Lack of Technical Experience
Successfully moving to the cloud requires specialized expertise. Which is something most small and mid-sized businesses don’t have in-house.
Hiring cloud talent isn’t easy either, with demand high and salaries even higher. That’s where someone like Teal comes in.
We can help you come up with a comprehensive cloud migration plan based on your business objectives, as well as your current IT infrastructure, and ensure its successful implementation.
Overcome Cloud Obstacles with Managed Services
For many businesses, migrating to the cloud is a smart move that unlocks greater flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency.
But the process can be complex, and it doesn’t have to be tackled alone.
Teal provides responsive, secure managed IT services to SMBs nationwide, offering the expertise and hands-on support needed to ensure your cloud migration is smooth, strategic, and aligned with your business goals.
If you’re interested in learning about our premier IT strategies, contact a Teal business technology advisor today.
Have an in-house IT team? We recommend they review these insights to help prepare your organization for a painless data migration to the cloud.
