Percival AI
Moving to the cloud can revolutionize your operations—but only if you are ready for it. A poorly planned cloud migration can lead to downtime, security vulnerabilities, and unexpected costs that far exceed your budget.
After helping other businesses migrate to the cloud, I have seen both spectacular successes and costly mistakes. The difference? Proper preparation.
Use this 10-point checklist to assess whether your business is truly ready for cloud migration.
1. Do You Have Clear Business Objectives?
Why it matters: Cloud migration is not a goal—it is a means to achieve business goals. Are you trying to reduce costs? Improve scalability? Enable remote work? Enhance disaster recovery?
Red flag: If your answer is “because everyone else is doing it,” you are not ready.
Action step: Define 2-3 specific, measurable objectives for your cloud migration.
2. Have You Audited Your Current Infrastructure?
You cannot migrate what you do not understand. Before moving to the cloud, you need a complete inventory of:
- All applications and their dependencies
- Data storage requirements
- Network architecture
- Security and compliance requirements
- Integration points between systems
Red flag: “We will figure it out as we go.”
Action step: Create a detailed asset inventory with application dependencies mapped out.
3. Is Your Network Infrastructure Cloud-Ready?
Cloud applications require reliable, high-speed internet connectivity. Your current network might work fine for on-premise systems but struggle with cloud-based workloads.
Minimum requirements:
- At least 100 Mbps symmetric internet connection
- Redundant internet service providers (ISPs) for critical operations
- Low latency to your chosen cloud region
- Modern firewall and security infrastructure
Action step: Run a network assessment and upgrade connectivity before migration.
4. Do You Understand the Total Cost of Ownership?
Cloud costs are not just about monthly subscription fees. Factor in:
- Migration costs (consulting, labor, downtime)
- Training for staff
- Ongoing management and monitoring
- Data egress fees
- Potential over-provisioning during the learning curve
Red flag: Comparing only monthly fees without considering the full picture.
Action step: Create a 3-year TCO analysis comparing cloud vs. on-premise costs.
5. Have You Chosen the Right Cloud Model?
Not all workloads belong in the public cloud. Consider:
- Public Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud): Best for scalability and flexibility
- Private Cloud: Better for sensitive data and compliance requirements
- Hybrid Cloud: Combines both for optimal balance
- Multi-Cloud: Using multiple providers to avoid vendor lock-in
Action step: Map each workload to the most appropriate cloud model.
6. Do You Have the Right Security Measures in Place?
Cloud security is a shared responsibility. Your provider secures the infrastructure, but you are responsible for:
- Identity and access management
- Data encryption (in transit and at rest)
- Security monitoring and logging
- Compliance with industry regulations
- Incident response procedures
Red flag: Assuming the cloud provider handles all security.
Action step: Develop a cloud security framework before migration.
7. Is Your Team Trained and Ready?
Cloud platforms require different skills than traditional IT infrastructure. Your team needs training in:
- Cloud architecture and services
- Cost optimization strategies
- Security best practices
- Monitoring and troubleshooting cloud environments
Action step: Budget for training and certification programs, or partner with a managed service provider.
8. Do You Have a Data Backup and Recovery Plan?
Cloud providers are reliable, but they are not infallible. You need:
- Regular automated backups
- Backups stored in multiple locations/regions
- Tested disaster recovery procedures
- Defined Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)
Red flag: “The cloud provider handles backups.”
Action step: Implement a comprehensive backup strategy before migration.
9. Have You Planned for Compliance Requirements?
Different industries have different compliance requirements (HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI-DSS, GDPR). Ensure:
- Your cloud provider offers necessary compliance certifications
- Data residency requirements are met
- Audit trails are properly configured
- Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) or similar contracts are in place
Action step: Review compliance requirements with your legal and compliance teams before selecting a cloud provider.
10. Do You Have a Detailed Migration Plan?
A successful migration requires meticulous planning:
- Phased migration approach (not “big bang”)
- Pilot projects to test the process
- Rollback procedures if something goes wrong
- Communication plan for stakeholders
- Post-migration optimization strategy
Red flag: Planning to migrate everything over a weekend.
Action step: Create a detailed, phased migration roadmap with clear milestones.
What is Your Score?
Give yourself one point for each item where you answered “yes” confidently:
- 8-10 points: You are ready to move forward with cloud migration
- 5-7 points: You have the basics, but need to address gaps before migrating
- 0-4 points: Significant preparation needed—do not rush into migration
Need Help Preparing for Cloud Migration?
At Rainier IT, we specialize in helping small and medium businesses successfully transition to the cloud. From initial assessment to post-migration optimization, we guide you through every step of the journey.
Schedule a free cloud readiness assessment to find out where you stand and what steps you need to take.
