What is Google Cloud migration?

A Google Cloud migration involves moving an organization’s digital assets to Google Cloud. These digital assets include applications, data, IT processes, and more. Why might an organization choose to make this move? Doing so allows the organization to take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing through a major provider, such as flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Though the migration effort presents a shift in infrastructure, a Google Cloud migration also serves as an opportune time to reevaluate, upgrade, and implement more robust security measures. In light of today’s evolving cyber threats, many organizations are trying to capitalize on this opportunity to strengthen their security postures.

In this article, we'll dive into the basics of Google Cloud migration. We'll focus on security improvements and explore what a Google Cloud migration entails, its benefits, and the strategic approach needed for a successful transition.

Understanding Google Cloud migration

Google Cloud brings powerful, global infrastructure along with a wide variety of cloud services. When you migrate to Google Cloud, you’re shifting from traditional on-premises data centers (or other cloud environments) to a scalable, flexible cloud setting managed by one of the world’s largest providers.

Unique attributes of Google Cloud

Migrating to Google Cloud involves unique considerations that are distinct from other cloud providers, such as a migration to AWS. For example, access to Google Cloud’s global fiber network may affect infrastructure decisions related to data transfer and latency. Cloud storage offerings and options also differ. Lastly, Google Cloud integrates seamlessly with its analytics services; this might influence architecture and technical planning.

For most migrations to major cloud providers, companies typically consider three of the six Rs of migration as their go-to strategies:

• Re-hosting (or "lift and shift"): Moving applications without changes
• Re-platforming: Making slight adjustments to use specific cloud features
• Re-factoring: Significantly altering applications for cloud optimization

When you migrate to Google Cloud, you enjoy benefits such as scalability, cost efficiency, and access to Google Cloud-specific security tools.

Planning, strategy, and execution

To ensure success and security, a Google Cloud migration must be a meticulously planned and strategic effort.

Planning

Choosing the right migration strategy is foundational. Assess your current business and technical needs, consult with stakeholders, and ensure the path you choose aligns with your organizational goals.

Beginning with a solid plan paves the way for a smoother transition and helps mitigate potential challenges.

Strategy

Next, you will need to perform a comprehensive assessment of your security posture. If you have a strong understanding of your current vulnerabilities, then the migration provides you with an opportunity to address them proactively.

As you begin crafting security and access policies for Google Cloud, be sure to ground them in the principle of least privilege. This will ensure that you minimize access rights to only what is necessary, which is optimal for your security.

Execution

As you begin to make your move, your first step should be to deploy the CrowdStrike Falcon® sensor on all your on-premises workloads. This step sets you up to use CrowdStrike Falcon^® Insight XDR for endpoint security. This endpoint protection will detect and remove any advanced persistent threats, ensuring that these threats do not migrate with your applications and data to Google Cloud. Deploying Falcon Insight secures your pre-migration environment, laying a strong foundation for a successful Google Cloud migration.

When it comes time to migrate to Google Cloud, you’ll have two large areas of focus: data and applications. For data, consider what it will take to transfer data securely, ensure its integrity throughout the migration, and minimize downtime. Google Cloud offers its database migration service for migrating from MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle.

For applications, ensure that you have comprehensive application testing in place. Be sure to validate that your migration has not degraded the functionality and performance of your applications as a result.

Security considerations and challenges

As you set up your systems on Google Cloud, be aware of the following potential security issues:

• Data breaches: Unauthorized access leading to data exposure
• Compliance risks: Failing to meet legal and regulatory data protection requirements
• Configuration errors: Improperly configured cloud services that may leave systems vulnerable
• Access control issues: Inadequate management of user permissions and access rights

If you address these challenges head-on with strategic planning and the right tools, you’ll significantly mitigate the risks associated with your Google Cloud migration. Google Cloud offers security tools that can help you navigate these challenges:

• Google Access Transparency: Delivers logs detailing administrative access to your data, improving transparency
• Google Identity and Access Management (IAM): Offers granular access control, ensuring only authorized users can access specific resources
• Google Policy Intelligence: Identifies and suggests improvements for your security policies
• Google Security Command Center: Provides an overview of your security status and potential threats

Utilizing these Google Cloud tools can help safeguard your migration process. However, your long-term solution for defending your Google Cloud digital assets should involve an all-in-one, centralized cybersecurity platform.

Ensure security throughout your Google Cloud migration with the CrowdStrike Falcon platform

Migrating to Google Cloud requires a thoughtful approach to planning, strategy, and execution with security at its core. Addressing potential risks and leveraging Google Cloud's robust security tools are essential steps toward a successful cloud transition.

CrowdStrike Falcon^® Cloud Security is built for Google Cloud and offers an additional layer of security, integrating seamlessly with Google Cloud to provide comprehensive visibility and protection against threats and ensuring your migration is secure from start to finish.