Developing Cloud Migration Strategies for Cost-Efficiency and Compliance

Abstract

Cloud migration is a transformative approach enabling organizations to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and enhance agility. However, achieving cost efficiency and maintaining compliance in cloud environments requires strategic planning and execution. This paper explores the development of cloud migration strategies designed to balance financial prudence with regulatory adherence. By identifying key cost drivers, organizations can mitigate unnecessary expenditures through rightsizing resources, leveraging reserved instances, and adopting auto-scaling. Simultaneously, compliance demands a robust framework encompassing data governance, regulatory mandates, and industry standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO certifications. The research underscores the significance of conducting comprehensive assessments, including workload analysis, cloud-readiness evaluations, and security audits, to tailor migration plans to business objectives. Strategies for selecting optimal cloud models—public, private, or hybrid—based on workload sensitivity and cost implications are discussed in detail. Additionally, the importance of adopting FinOps principles and automated tools for continuous cost monitoring is highlighted. This paper emphasizes the role of cloud service providers in ensuring compliance through secure architectures and built-in regulatory support while offering insights into risk management and incident response planning. By aligning cloud adoption with financial and compliance goals, businesses can unlock the full potential of cloud computing without compromising data integrity or facing regulatory penalties. Ultimately, the study provides actionable recommendations for organizations embarking on cloud migration, focusing on achieving a sustainable and compliant cloud journey that maximizes return on investment while safeguarding operational excellence.