Data Migration

The imperative to prepare for the transition to quantum-safe cryptography doesn't necessarily mean an immediate switch. Consider these two critical aspects: ☝ Complexity of Cryptographic Algorithm Transition: Transitioning cryptographic algorithms is a complex undertaking. A quick examination within your organization or with your service providers may reveal the use of obsolete algorithms like SHA-1 or TDEA. For example, the payment card industry still employs TDEA, despite its obsolescence was announced in 2019. It's essential to enhance your organization's cryptography management capabilities before embarking on the transition to quantum-safe cryptography. ✌ Scrutiny Required for New PQC Algorithms: The new Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms are relatively recent and warrant careful examination. Historically, we have deployed cryptographic algorithms on a production scale only after several years of existence, allowing comprehensive scrutiny. While PQC standardization offers some security assurances, it doesn't cover the software implementations deployed in your environment. Consider employing phased deployments and hybrid implementations to avoid compromising the existing security provided by classical cryptography. Recent news, as mentioned in this article, highlights the immaturity of implementations of new PQC algorithms. While the title might be somewhat misleading, it's crucial to recognize that occasional flaws in implementations, like those found (and solved) in various instances of Kyber, serve as reminders. As we transition to these new implementations, we must first gain control over our cryptography. Here's a suggested action plan: 🚩 Cryptography Management: Prioritize gaining control over your cryptography. 🚩 Understanding Quantum-Safe Cryptography: Familiarize yourself with the development of quantum-safe cryptography. 🚩 Transition Plan Preparation: Follow recommendations to prepare a comprehensive transition plan. Some of my favourite resources are: - Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)'s "Quantum-safe cryptography" (https://lnkd.in/dqkSAQSP) - Government of Canada CFDIR's "BEST PRACTICES AND GUIDELINES" (https://lnkd.in/d-w_Nbfj) - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)'s "Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography" (https://lnkd.in/dYMKnqBb) 🚩 Decision-Making: Make informed decisions based on the acquired knowledge. In summary, a thoughtful and phased approach is key to ensuring a smooth transition to quantum-safe cryptography. https://lnkd.in/dxAgF2ac #cryptography #quantumcomputing #security #pqc #cybersecurity

We're standing on the brink of a new technological era. As AI reshapes industries, another game-changer is quietly advancing: quantum computing. While the potential is immense, it brings an immediate, critical concern - data security. Our current cryptographic standards, even the strongest ones like RSA and ECC, are built on mathematical problems that are practically impossible for classical computers to solve. But for a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, these problems could be trivial, rendering today's encrypted data vulnerable. This isn't a distant threat; it's a "harvest now, decrypt later" problem, where malicious actors can intercept and store our encrypted data today, waiting for the quantum power to crack it tomorrow. So, how do we get ahead? We don't just wait for a quantum computer to arrive; we embrace a new breed of encryption technologies. It's time to shift our focus from "quantum encryption" to "post-quantum cryptography" (PQC). • Quantum Encryption (more accurately, Quantum Key Distribution) is a fascinating, physics-based approach. It's theoretically unbreakable because any attempt to eavesdrop on the key exchange is immediately detected. However, it's not yet widely practical due to infrastructure limitations. • Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is the immediate solution. These are new, quantum-resistant algorithms designed to run on our existing classical computers. They are based on different, complex mathematical problems that are believed to be hard for both classical and quantum computers to solve. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has already started standardizing these algorithms, paving the way for us to adopt them. What should organizations do to stay ahead? 1. Inventory Your Cryptographic Landscape: Do a full audit. Where are you using public-key encryption? Identify all cryptographic assets, from digital certificates and keys to software libraries and hardware. 2. Prioritize and Plan: Not all data is created equal. Focus on your most valuable, long-lived data first—intellectual property, customer PII, strategic business data. Start planning your migration to PQC algorithms for these critical assets. 3. Embrace Crypto-Agility: Build systems that can easily swap out cryptographic algorithms. This "agile" approach is crucial for adapting to evolving standards without a major overhaul. 4. Engage with Vendors: Ask your technology and security vendors about their PQC roadmaps. Ensure new products and solutions you adopt are "quantum-safe" by design. 5. Educate Your Teams: This is a leadership challenge as much as a technical one. Raise awareness among your engineering, security, and product teams about the quantum threat and the importance of PQC. The quantum era is on its way, and it’s up to us to ensure we build a secure bridge to it. Let's start the conversation now and build a more resilient future. #QuantumComputing #Cybersecurity #DevSecOps #Infosec #PostQuantumCryptography #PQC

𝐎𝐧-𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐌𝐈𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲❗ Cloud migration strategy involves a comprehensive plan for moving data, applications, and other business elements from an on-premise computing environment to the cloud, or from one cloud environment to another. The strategy is crucial for organizations looking to leverage the scalability, flexibility, and efficiency benefits of cloud computing. A well-defined cloud migration strategy should encompass several key components and phases: 𝟏. 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 Evaluate Business Objectives: Understand the reasons behind the migration, whether it's cost reduction, enhanced scalability, improved reliability, or agility. Assess Current Infrastructure: Inventory existing applications, data, and workloads to determine what will move to the cloud and how. Choose the Right Cloud Model: Decide between public, private, or hybrid cloud models based on the organization's requirements. Identify the Right Cloud Provider: Evaluate cloud providers (like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) based on compatibility, cost, services offered, and compliance with industry standards. 𝟐. 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 The "6 R's" are often considered when deciding on a migration strategy: Rehost (Lift and Shift): Moving applications and data to the cloud without modifications. Replatform (Lift, Tinker and Shift): Making minor adjustments to applications to optimize them for the cloud. Refactor: Re-architecting applications to fully exploit cloud-native features and capabilities. Repurchase: Moving to a different product, often a cloud-native service. Retain: Keeping certain elements in the existing environment if they are not suitable for cloud migration. Retire: Decommissioning and eliminating unnecessary resources. 𝟑. 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Migrate Data: Use tools and services (like AWS Database Migration Service or Azure Migrate) to transfer data securely and efficiently. Migrate Applications: Based on the chosen strategy, move applications to the cloud environment. Testing: Conduct thorough testing to ensure applications and data work correctly in the new cloud environment. Optimization: Post-migration, optimize resources for performance, cost, and security. 𝟒. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 Implement Cloud Security Best Practices: Ensure the cloud environment adheres to industry security standards and best practices. Compliance: Ensure the migration complies with relevant regulations and standards (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.). 𝟓. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 Prepare Your Team: Train staff on cloud technologies and the new operating model to ensure smooth transition and operation. Adopt a Cloud-Native Approach: Encourage innovation and adoption of cloud-native services to enhance agility and efficiency. Tools and Services #cloudcomputing #cloudarchitect #cloudmigration #cloud

The Compliance Trap: Why Regulators Are Watching Your Data Migration ⚖️🔍 Most banks treat data migration as a technology project, but regulators see it as a compliance event. And for good reason. A single oversight in data integrity during migration can lead to reporting errors, audit failures, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. Yet, many banks fall into the compliance trap, assuming that if the data moves, it’s good enough. But is it accurate? Is it complete? Does it meet regulatory expectations? That’s what regulators care about. 🚨 The Risks Banks Overlook in Data Migration ⚠️ Regulatory Reporting Gaps: Data mismatches between legacy and new systems can lead to incorrect financial reports, triggering audits and penalties. ⚠️ Data Lineage Issues: If banks cannot prove where data originated and how it was transformed, regulators raise red flags. ⚠️ Inconsistent Customer Records: Data loss or duplication during migration can cause compliance breaches, especially in KYC, AML, and transaction monitoring. ⚠️ GDPR and Data Privacy Violations: Sensitive customer data must remain protected. A poorly managed migration can expose data to unauthorized access or fail to retain consent records. ⚠️ Audit Trails That Do Not Add Up: Regulators demand transparency. If your migration process lacks documentation, proving compliance becomes a nightmare. 📋 How Banks Can Stay Ahead of Compliance Risks ✅ Regulatory Alignment from Day One: Compliance teams should be involved from the start, not after migration is complete. ✅ Pre-Migration Data Validation: Perform thorough data quality checks before moving a single record. Identify gaps, errors, and inconsistencies early. ✅ Data Mapping with Full Traceability: Ensure every data point has a clear path from legacy to target system, maintaining auditability. ✅ Real-Time Monitoring & Reconciliation: Track data integrity throughout the migration, ensuring completeness and accuracy in real time. ✅ Post-Migration Compliance Testing: Regulators will ask for proof. Validate migrated data against regulatory requirements before the system goes live. 💡 Regulators are not just watching the destination, they are scrutinizing the entire migration journey. Banks that treat compliance as an afterthought in data migration will face costly consequences. But those that make data integrity, auditability, and governance a priority will protect their reputation and avoid compliance headaches. Have you seen compliance challenges impact a migration? What lessons have you learned? Let’s discuss. ⚖️🔍 #DataMigration #ComplianceMatters #BankingRegulations #DigitalBanking #DataGovernance #FinancialCompliance #RiskManagement #BankingTechnology #LegacyData #DataQuality #ETLTools #BankingInnovation #TechLeadership #BankingCompliance #CloudComputing #TechTrends #Innovation #TemenosMigration #CloudMigration #Collaboration #Leadership #Creativity #Careers #Growth #TechnologyLeadership #CloudMigration

Did you know? Organisations migrating to Azure often struggle with inconsistent security, governance gaps, and misconfigured resources. Without a structured approach, cloud environments become complex to manage and vulnerable to threats. A well-designed Azure Landing Zone ensures security, compliance, and scalability from day one. It provides a foundation with built-in identity protection, policy enforcement, and network security controls. Key security components of an Azure Landing Zone: ✔ Identity & Access Control – Microsoft Entra ID with Conditional Access and Privileged Identity Management (PIM) to enforce least privilege and secure authentication. ✔ Security Baselines & Governance – Azure Policy to enforce security configurations and maintain regulatory compliance. ✔ Network Security – Azure Firewall, NSGs, and Private Link to segment workloads and reduce the attack surface. ✔ Threat Protection – Microsoft Defender for Cloud for continuous monitoring, attack detection, and compliance assessments. ✔ Secure DevOps Integration – Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions with security checks, code scanning, and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) enforcement. A secure Azure Landing Zone is the foundation for a resilient cloud strategy, ensuring security is built-in, not bolted on. Are you implementing these controls in your cloud environment? #microsoftsecurity #azuresecurity #azure #RyansRecaps

On prem to Cloud migration Step-by-Step AWS Cloud Migration Process 1. Plan the Migration Assessment: Identify the current environment (servers, databases, dependencies, and configurations). Inventory: Document application components and dependencies. Sizing: Determine AWS resources (EC2 instance types, RDS configurations, etc.) based on current usage. Network Design: Plan VPC setup, subnets, security groups, and connectivity. Backup Plan: Create a fallback plan for any issues during migration. 2. Prepare the AWS Environment VPC Setup: Create a VPC with subnets across multiple Availability Zones (AZs). Security: Configure security groups, IAM roles, and policies. Database Configuration: Set up an Amazon RDS instance or EC2-based database for the migration. AD Server: Use AWS Managed Microsoft AD or deploy your AD on EC2. Application Server: Launch EC2 instances and configure the operating system and required dependencies. 3. Migrate Database Backup: Create a backup of the current database. Export/Import: Use database migration tools (e.g., AWS DMS or native database tools) to migrate data to the AWS database. Replication: Set up database replication for real-time sync with the on-prem database. Validation: Verify data consistency and integrity post-migration. 4. Migrate Application Server Packaging: Package the application (e.g., as Docker containers, AMIs, or simple binaries). Deployment: Deploy the application on AWS EC2 instances or use AWS Elastic Beanstalk. DNS Configuration: Update DNS records to point to the AWS environment. 5. Migrate Active Directory (AD) Replication: Create a replica of the on-prem AD in AWS using the AD Trust setup. DNS Sync: Sync DNS entries between on-prem and AWS environments. Validation: Test authentication and resource access. 6. Test and Validate End-to-End Testing: Validate the complete environment (application, database, and AD). Performance Check: Monitor performance using CloudWatch and address any issues. Failover Testing: Simulate failure scenarios to ensure HA/DR readiness. 7. Cutover and Go Live Schedule Downtime: Coordinate with stakeholders and users for a minimal downtime window. Final Sync: Perform a final sync of the database and switch traffic to AWS. DNS Propagation: Update DNS settings to route traffic to the AWS environment (may take up to 24 hours). Monitoring: Continuously monitor AWS resources and performance post-migration. 8. Post-Migration Optimization Scaling: Implement auto-scaling policies for the application. Security: Regularly review and improve security configurations. Cost Optimization: Use AWS Cost Explorer to analyze and optimize resource usage. Downtime Considerations Database Migration: Plan a maintenance window of 2–4 hours for the final database sync and cutover. DNS Propagation: Approx. 15 minutes to 24 hours, depending on TTL settings. Use short TTLs during migration to minimize delays. #MinimalDowntime #DatabasetoAWS #Migration #AWS

India just replaced a 169-year-old shipping law. Here's why data privacy lawyers should care! Parliament passed the Bills of Lading Bill 2025, replacing colonial-era legislation with a simplified, updated legal framework for shipping documents. But beyond maritime modernization, this signals a critical shift for digital trade documentation. Key Business Implications: 1. Digital Documentation Era: The legislation modernizes shipping documentation to align with global trade standards, paving the way for electronic Bills of Lading (eBLs) that reduce fraud risk and processing time from weeks to minutes. 2. Data Privacy Concerns: As India embraces digital trade documents, businesses must address new data protection challenges. Electronic shipping documents contain sensitive commercial data - cargo details, pricing, routes - requiring robust cybersecurity frameworks. 3. AI & Automation Opportunities: Simplified legal language opens doors for AI-powered document processing, automated compliance checks, and predictive analytics in supply chains. But with great digitization comes great responsibility for data governance. 4. Cross-border Compliance: With India handling 95% of trade by volume through shipping, this modernization affects global supply chains. Companies must align their data practices with both Indian regulations and international trade standards. Practical Steps for Businesses: 1. Review data retention policies for digital shipping documents 2. Implement encryption for eBL platforms 3. Train teams on digital trade documentation compliance 4. Assess AI tools for maritime document processing The intersection of maritime law, digital transformation, and data privacy is where smart businesses will find competitive advantage in 2025. What's your experience with digital trade documentation challenges? #Dataprivacy #AI

Dear IT Auditors, Auditing Data Migration Data migration projects are among the riskiest IT initiatives an organization can undertake. Whether it’s moving from on-prem to cloud, consolidating legacy systems, or integrating after a merger, the stakes are high. A single error can lead to data corruption, compliance violations, or business downtime. That’s why data migration assurance has become a critical part of IT audit and GRC. Here’s how auditors can add value when reviewing migration projects: 📌 Pre-Migration Planning: The foundation of assurance is in the planning. Review project charters, migration strategies, and risk assessments. Confirm that the scope is clearly defined (which data, which systems, what timelines). Lack of upfront clarity is often the root cause of failed migrations. 📌 Data Mapping and Transformation Rules: Check whether data mapping is documented and transformation logic is validated. Auditors should ensure data formats, field lengths, and relationships are consistent across systems. If this step is rushed, errors cascade downstream. 📌 Test Migration Runs: Review evidence of test migrations. Were trial loads conducted with sample data? Did the organization reconcile totals and critical records? This is where issues surface early, and auditors should confirm there’s evidence of structured testing. 📌 Reconciliation and Validation: After migration, controls should validate that all data migrated accurately and completely. Audit procedures include reconciling record counts, financial totals, and critical data fields between legacy and new systems. Spot checks on high-risk data (like customer balances) are essential. 📌 Access and Security Controls: Migrations often involve temporary elevated access for IT teams. Confirm that privileged access was approved, monitored, and revoked post-migration. Review whether sensitive data was encrypted in transit. 📌 Business Continuity and Rollback: Strong migration assurance requires consideration of what if the migration fails. Auditors should verify rollback procedures, data backups, and business continuity testing. It’s not enough to hope the migration works; the plan must cover failure scenarios. 📌 Post-Migration Monitoring: The job isn’t done after cutover. Review post-migration monitoring reports, error logs, and end-user acceptance testing. Assurance means confirming that business processes continue smoothly without disruption. Data migration assurance goes beyond ticking boxes. It provides stakeholders with confidence that systems, data, and compliance remain intact during one of the most disruptive IT events. For auditors, this presents an opportunity to demonstrate real business value, not just control testing. #DataMigration #ITAudit #RiskManagement #InternalAudit #DataGovernance #GRC #CyberSecurityAudit #ITControls #CloudAudit #ITRisk #CyberYard #CyberVerge

🔐Word o’ the Day | Year | Decade: Crypto-agility, Baby! Yesterday morning, I did a fun fireside chat with Bethany Gadfield - Netzel at the FIA, Inc. Expo in Chicago. We talked about cyber resilience, artificial intelligence, Rubik’s cubes, and that thing called quantum! A question came up at the end, “What can firms actually do today to begin transitioning to post-quantum cryptography?” So thought I would take the opportunity to share my thoughts more broadly on this important, but not super well understood, topic: 1. Don’t wait. The clock for quantum-safe cryptography is already ticking. NIST released its first set of post-quantum standards last year (https://lnkd.in/esTm8uPw) and CISA put out a “Strategy for Migrating to Automated Post-Quantum Discovery and Inventory Tools” last year as part of its broader Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Initiative (https://lnkd.in/evpF4umv). h/t Garfield Jones, D.Eng.! 2. Inventory & prioritize. Map all cryptographic usage: what keys, certificates, protocols, and data streams exist today? Which assets hold long-lived value and are at risk of “harvest-now, decrypt-later”? Build a migration roadmap that prioritizes highest-risk systems (e.g., financial settlement platforms, inter-bank links, legacy encryption). 3. Establish crypto-agility. Ensure your architecture supports swapping algorithms, updating certificates, & layering classical + post-quantum primitives without a full system rebuild. This kind of flexibility is key for resilience. 4. Pilot and migrate. Use the new NIST-approved algorithms; experiment first on less time-sensitive systems, validate performance and interoperability, then scale to mission-critical applications. NIST’s IR 8547 report provides a framework for this transition. 5. Vendor & supply-chain alignment. Ask your vendors & service providers: “What’s your PQC transition plan? When will you support NIST-approved post-quantum algorithms? Are your update paths crypto-agile?” If the answer isn’t clear or (as a former boss of mine used to say) they look at you like a “pig at a wristwatch,” you’ve got a potentially serious third-party risk. 6. Board and Exec engagement. Position this not as an IT problem but a fiduciary risk and resilience imperative. The transition to quantum-safe cryptography is multi-year and multi-layered—waiting until it’s urgent means it will be too late.

Do you know when you’ll face the risks of NOT migrating to PQC? Very soon … The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has made it very clear: Organizations must start their migration now. What does this exactly mean? By 2028: Identify cryptographic dependencies, define migration goals, and build an initial roadmap. By 2031: Begin migrating the most critical systems first. Sensitive data takes priority. By 2035: Complete the migration. I see this as a significant turning point. The quantum computing threat is no longer theoretical. And it's coming for our current cryptographic systems. ➔ Delaying migration leads to a risky legacy estate. You should keep in mind: It is a journey. For SMEs, the transition depends on their IT infrastructure. 👉 Standard IT solutions? Might be upgrade without much manual work. 👉 Custom software? Will require a tailored migration plan to follow the same timeline. Here is what I would do: ➔ Start your discovery process today and setup your Cryptography Bill of Materials (CBOM). ➔ Understand your cryptographic landscape. Communicate your PQC needs to your suppliers. ➔ View PQC migration as an opportunity to improve your overall cybersecurity posture. Is your company ready for migration? Yes or No? Let me know in the comments. 👇