Data migration can mean many things to many people. For the purposes of this post, we discuss moving mass storage to archives, the cloud, or another storage facility and the importance of data cleanup prior to moving data, specifically as it applies to Federal government requirements.
The Federal government data migration requirements typically involve stringent guidelines from NIST Special Publication 800-53 and Federal Cloud Computing Strategy, aimed at ensuring the security, integrity, and accessibility of data throughout the migration process. While specific requirements can vary based on the department or agency and the nature of the data being migrated, here are some common considerations:
- Data Security: Data must be protected against unauthorized access, alteration, or loss during migration. Encryption and secure transmission protocols (such as TLS) are often mandated.
- Data Integrity: Measures must be in place to verify that data is accurately transferred from the source to the destination without corruption or loss.
- Compliance: Migration processes must comply with relevant laws, regulations, and standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, NIST standards) governing data protection and privacy.
- Documentation and Auditing: Comprehensive documentation of the migration process, including data mapping, transfer methods, and verification steps, is typically required. Auditing trails may also be mandated for accountability.
- Minimization of Downtime: Especially in critical systems, downtime should be minimized during migration to avoid disruption to government operations and services.
- Data Retention and Disposal: Clear policies on data retention and disposal must be followed to ensure that no data is inadvertently left behind or improperly handled during migration.
- Testing and Validation: Rigorous testing and validation procedures should be conducted before, during, and after migration to ensure that data is accurately transferred, and functions as expected in the new environment.
- Training and Awareness: Personnel involved in the migration process should be trained on data protection protocols and best practices to mitigate risks associated with human error or negligence.
- Vendor and Third-Party Compliance: If third-party vendors are involved in the migration, they must adhere to the same stringent security and compliance standards required by the federal government.
- Backup and Recovery: Contingency plans for backup and data recovery should be established to mitigate risks in case of unforeseen issues or failures during migration.
These requirements are designed to safeguard sensitive government information, maintain operational continuity, and uphold public trust in the management of government data. Compliance with these requirements is typically overseen by government agencies or regulatory bodies tasked with data protection and cybersecurity oversight.
iCONECT can assist Federal customers with their migration strategies. Our platform provides capabilities to minimize downtime, provide an optimized and secure process for migration, and pinpoint obsolete and problematic data. iCONECT’s platform takes into consideration the following areas:
- End of Life data
- Management of redundant data
- Optimization of cloud storage
iCONECT’s document and data management platform leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities to strengthen our user experience and create efficiencies throughout digital management process. Our COTS platform is configurable based upon agency requirements, and can be deployed in cloud, private cloud, or on-premises environments.
Reach out to Bain Huggins or Kevin Mahoney about how iCONECT can assist in your requirements for document management and other strategies needed to capture, track, store and share records for Public Sector customers and request a demonstration today.
