How to Securely Decommission Clouds After Cloud Migration?

A successful cloud data migration is not just about moving the data and users but also about decommissioning the source clouds post migration. But how to securely decommission the clouds? Are there proven steps to do it? Learn about them all in this guide.

Key Takeaways:

  • Decommissioning clouds after migration is about shutting down the source clouds that are no longer to be used.
  • Performing a full cutover, security and compliance closure, thorough cleanup, and contract termination are some of the cloud decommissioning steps.
  • CloudFuze helps businesses perform cloud migration and decommissioning securely and successfully.

What Does it Mean to Decommission Clouds After Cloud Migration?

Decommissioning clouds after migration is the process of shutting down the source clouds or legacy systems in a planned way after all users and workload have been successfully migrated to the new cloud platform.

Decommissioning clouds after migration is important to ensure that the old systems are no longer running. Businesses usually decommission clouds after migration to achieve several goals, such as:

  • Moving away from the source clouds permanently
  • Revoking license of the source clouds to cut costs
  • Permanently shutting down old legacy systems
  • Eliminate security risks from unused infrastructures
  • Ensure better compliance

What Are the Essential Steps in the Cloud Decommissioning Process?

Decommissioning clouds post migration is a strategic process that needs careful planning and execution. Here are some of the essential and proven steps to follow:

1. Perform a Full Cutover

Before decommissioning the source cloud, make sure to perform a full cutover during the final stages of cloud migration. It involves transferring all the incremental changes, moving domains, and more. Learn more about it in our cutover migration guide.

With a full cutover, you ensure that everything is brought over to your new cloud platform and that the source cloud platform is ready for decommissioning. This approach helps you avoid the risk of user disruption which can arise if a full transition has not been done properly.

2. Stop Work in the Source Cloud

The next step is to stop users from using the source cloud to avoid any new changes. To be able to do this, it is best to put the source cloud in read only mode which also stops automations and bots from making new changes in the source cloud.

With no new changes in the source cloud, you don’t have to perform another delta sync and that the cloud becomes ready for decommissioning.

3. Perform a Thorough Clean Up

Clean up the entire source cloud in a step-by-step process, including:

  • Delete or destruct all data and user accounts, and caches
  • Remove all third-party app integrations
  • Remove all API keys and certificates
  • Delete all service accounts
  • Remove all network components
  • Remove all public IPs and load balancers

4. Revoke Licenses

Lastly, revoke the license (subscription) of the source cloud to ensure that they do not renew automatically. This is the final step of decommissioning your source cloud.

Same goes for other third-party SaaS apps integrated to your source cloud. If they are not necessary and you do not want to continue with them in the new cloud platform post migration, it is best to end their subscription to save costs.

Decommission Your Source Cloud after Migration with CloudFuze

Perform successful cloud migration and decommission your source clouds securely with CloudFuze. We have industry-leading expertise in helping businesses perform large and complex cloud migrations successfully.

Contact us today to learn more about cloud migration and decommissioning processes and how we can help you with that.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best practices for decommissioning legacy cloud environments after migration?

Performing a complete cutover, cleaning up the legacy cloud environment, performing security and compliance closures, and revoking licenses are some of the best practices for decommissioning legacy cloud environments after migration.

2. Which cloud migration providers offer migration and decommissioning support services?

CloudFuze, a reputed cloud migration provider, offers cloud migration as well as cloud decommissioning support services for businesses of all sizes and industries. You can contact CloudFuze to request a free consultation regarding this.

3. Contract termination process with cloud providers after migration and decommissioning

Identify all the contracts linked to the source cloud, review their termination clauses, send termination notice to all the linked contracts, and ask the vendors for termination acknowledgement. Before terminating contracts, you must assess and ensure proper technical readiness.

4. Cost benefits of proper data decommissioning

Businesses can save a lot of cost with proper cloud decommissioning after migration by eliminating payments for unused resources, removing multi cloud licensing, terminating unnecessary contracts, removing unnecessary third-party SaaS app integration, and more.

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