Data migration introduces critical cybersecurity risks that are often overlooked in technology projects. Whether you’re modernizing your tech stack, shifting to the cloud, or implementing a new ERP system, safeguarding your data during every phase of migration—extraction, staging, transfer, and final integration—is essential. From bypassed security controls to vulnerabilities in legacy systems, this post breaks down the biggest risks and offers actionable strategies to protect your data.
Why Cybersecurity Is Crucial in Data Migration
Data migration is a significant element in digital transformation efforts, ERP implementations, and many other types of technology projects. Businesses planning to expand, modernize, or optimize their tech stacks often need to move data from an existing system to a new one or, in some cases, to multiple alternate platforms. Organizations may migrate data to the cloud or repatriate it as business needs and technical capabilities evolve. Using data alongside tools such as AI often means relocating it to ensure easy accessibility and high performance. But moving data from one place to another is a complex effort that requires close attention and skilled support, and the process presents unique cybersecurity challenges that can easily be overlooked.
If you have a technology project on the horizon that includes a data migration component, consider where cybersecurity risks may exist and understand how taking targeted steps can empower your team to protect that data throughout its journey.
Risk #1: Bypassed Security Controls for Speed
Because technology projects sometimes involve aggressive timelines to help minimize disruptions to both users and overall operations, there may be a push to temporarily reduce or even completely bypass existing security controls to facilitate faster data migration. If these short-term changes aren’t thoughtfully managed, they could make data—and the systems that store or process it—vulnerable to exposure or loss. Project teams should gather the full backstory on any requests for security changes and discuss the proposals with the initiative’s technology experts. That includes not only the organization’s internal IT team but also any outside partners who may have insight into cybersecurity best practices, system-specific risks or capabilities, and compliance requirements. Transparency is essential and will help ensure that everyone understands the scope of any security implications.
Definition Box: Bypassed security controls refer to the temporary disabling or relaxing of firewalls, access protocols, or encryption methods to expedite data transfer—often introducing security gaps.
Risk #2: Insecure Extraction from Legacy Platforms
When extracting data from legacy tools, there may be a risk of insecure handling if the original platform’s cybersecurity functionality is outdated or inadequate. Even if the destination system is secure, the data coming out of an existing solution may not be. Some older platforms don’t support newer or more comprehensive tools such as the latest encryption methods, granular user permissions, or automated validation to ensure data integrity during the migration process. The team should assess the data’s current protection levels and identify select measures that can be applied before or during the extraction step to ensure adequate security for the migration.
Risk #3: Migrating Vulnerabilities Along with Data
You don’t want to move existing vulnerabilities along with your data, but insufficient sanitization during migration can result in exactly that. Bugs, corrupted files, and even malware can all create chaos once the data reaches its next location, potentially spreading to other systems and information stores. Teams should have processes in place to inspect data repositories, identify potential cybersecurity issues or gaps, and address them—often with removal but sometimes through mitigation—before the data begins the migration journey.
Risk #4: Weak Protection in Temporary Staging Areas
Sometimes data must move to an interim location before it lands in its final home. Activities such as de-duplication and other data hygiene processes frequently occur in temporary waypoints to ensure clean and trusted data is available for the last leg of the migration. Inadequate protection around migration staging environments, where data may reside for extended periods, can create conditions for exposure, loss, or corruption. Even when transitory storage and processing locations are secured for normal use, the protection levels may not be sufficient to support data migration. The project team should evaluate the data to establish minimum cybersecurity requirements. Pay extra attention to sensitive records, personally identifiable information, data that’s subject to one or more compliance frameworks, and information that could lead to operational, financial, reputational, or other competitive harm if a breach or loss occurred.
Summary: Don’t underestimate your staging zones. They’re often overlooked yet hold data long enough to be exploited. Treat them as first-class citizens in your cybersecurity strategy.
Aligning Cybersecurity with Migration Strategy
Effective cybersecurity in data migration starts with transparency and ends with execution. Every stakeholder—internal IT, external vendors, compliance leads—should align on the risks, controls, and response plans. Data classification and risk assessment must occur early in the planning stage to ensure high-value or regulated information gets the highest level of protection at every step.
Cybersecurity must be embedded into every phase of your data migration plan—not bolted on as an afterthought. From assessing legacy risks to securing staging environments, proactive measures can prevent data breaches and ensure compliance, even under tight deadlines.
FAQ: Data Migration Cybersecurity
What are the most common security risks during data migration?
The top risks include bypassing security controls for speed, insecure legacy systems, migrating hidden vulnerabilities, and under-protected staging environments.
How do I protect data in a temporary staging environment?
Apply encryption, access controls, and monitoring tools. Treat staging zones with the same seriousness as production systems, especially if sensitive data is involved.
Can legacy systems pose cybersecurity threats during migration?
Yes, many legacy systems lack modern protections. Data extracted from them should be assessed and secured before migration.
Should I ever disable security measures to speed up migration?
Disabling controls introduces significant risk. If absolutely necessary, changes should be documented, temporary, and approved by security experts.
How can I prevent transferring malware during migration?
Scan all data repositories for malware, corrupted files, or bugs before migration. Clean or isolate infected data to avoid propagating issues.
