Don’t Be at Risk: Migrate from Legacy On-Prem Servers to the Cloud

As digital transformation sweeps across industries, organizations that still rely on legacy on-premise servers face growing risks, including increased operational costs, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. While cloud computing has evolved into a secure and scalable alternative, the potential business performance and business risk gaps between legacy on-prem systems and the cloud can no longer be ignored.

The Hidden Risks of Legacy On-Prem Servers

Security Vulnerabilities
Legacy on-prem servers are vulnerable to a range of threats including outdated software, end-of-life operating systems, and unpatched vulnerabilities. Many businesses struggle to keep up with security patches and updates, leaving their sensitive data exposed for cyber criminals. Hackers often target these security weaknesses, leading to data breaches, ransomware attacks, or complete system failures.

In contrast, cloud providers, like Thrive, implement advanced security mechanisms such as continuous patch management, AI-driven threat detection, and encryption at rest and in transit. Cloud environments are also maintained by teams of security experts who ensure compliance with stringent industry regulations such as DORA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR.

High Operational Costs
On-premises infrastructure can be very costly to maintain. The upfront investment is significant, and the ongoing maintenance costs quickly add up too. Organizations also have to allocate resources to IT staff for routine tasks such as updates, troubleshooting, and backups. Plus, mainframe expertise is harder and more expensive to come by because skilled workers are reaching retirement age with no replacements on deck.

Cloud solutions, however, offer better scalability, and there’s no need to invest in hardware or worry about lifecycle management. With cloud-based infrastructure, businesses can focus on innovation and reaching their business goals rather than maintenance.

The Benefits of Migrating to the Cloud

• Enhanced Security Measures: One of the biggest advantages of cloud migration is an improved security posture. Cloud providers continually invest in cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies, offering real-time monitoring, automatic updates, and advanced encryption standards for customers. Most cloud platforms also feature dedicated security tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and security information and event management (SIEM). Migrating to the cloud also significantly reduces the risk of breaches, due to regular patching and updates.
• Long-Term Cost Savings: The shift to the cloud can lead to substantial cost savings for businesses. Moving away from legacy hardware eliminates the need for expensive hardware upgrades, space for servers, energy, and cooling costs associated with maintaining an on-prem server room. Using the cloud reduces maintenance, fewer IT staff for routine updates, and less frequent downtime, leading to lower operational costs.
• Increased Agility: Modern businesses require agility to adapt to fast-changing market conditions. Utilizing the cloud provides businesses with the ability to quickly deploy new services, scale infrastructure quickly, and respond rapidly to ever-changing customer demands.

Migrating Your Legacy Servers to the Cloud

Moving from a legacy infrastructure to the cloud requires a well-planned approach to ensure minimal disruption and maximize long-term benefits. Below are some key steps to help your business migrate to the cloud successfully:

• Assess Your IT Infrastructure: Before starting your cloud migration, assess your current IT stack to understand what applications, services, and data need to be moved. Evaluate which workloads are cloud-ready, which may need modification, and if any should remain on-prem for specific reasons (such as compliance).
• Choose the Right Cloud Model For Your Business: Determine which cloud deployment model fits your business’s needs: public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud. Public cloud solutions like Microsoft Azure are cost-effective and highly scalable. Private cloud options offer greater control over data and may be more suitable for regulated industries. No matter your choice, Thrive’s team of expert Cloud engineers can help design, build, and support the Cloud solution that best meets your business needs.
• Plan for Migrating Your Data: Data migration can be one of the most challenging aspects of the move to cloud. Businesses must ensure that their data is securely transferred to the cloud without any loss or corruption.
• Implement Strong Security Controls: Security should be a priority during and after cloud migration. Leveraging cloud-native security features such as identity and access management (IAM), data encryption, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can ensure your data stays safe. Continuous monitoring and regular audits should also be a part of your post-migration plan to maintain a strong security posture.

How Thrive Can Help

Migrating to the cloud can dramatically improve security, reduce costs, and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. With Thrive, you have access to a secure hybrid cloud solution that can help keep your data secure, scale with your business, and help you meet your business goals. Don’t wait until it’s too late— contact Thrive today and embrace the cloud and mitigate the risks of outdated infrastructure.