Security Methods for Migration Tools
Why It Is Important
Security during migration is critical because data in transit between on-premises environments and AWS is vulnerable to interception, tampering, and unauthorized access. AWS Solutions Architect Professional candidates must understand how to protect sensitive workloads during migration to ensure compliance, maintain data integrity, and prevent security breaches. Organizations often migrate their most valuable assets, making security a non-negotiable requirement.
What It Is
Security methods for migration tools encompass the encryption mechanisms, authentication protocols, access controls, and network security configurations used to protect data during the migration process. AWS provides multiple migration services, each with built-in security features:
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) - Supports SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit and integrates with AWS KMS for encryption at rest
AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) - Uses encrypted replication with TLS 1.2, IAM roles for access control, and supports private connectivity
AWS DataSync - Provides in-transit encryption using TLS and at-rest encryption with KMS
AWS Transfer Family - Supports SFTP, FTPS, and FTP over VPN with IAM and directory service integration
AWS Snow Family - Features 256-bit encryption, TPM chips, and tamper-evident enclosures for physical data transfer
How It Works
Encryption in Transit: All AWS migration tools use TLS 1.2 or higher to encrypt data moving between source and destination. For DMS, you configure SSL certificates on endpoints. For MGN, encryption is automatic during replication.
Encryption at Rest: Data stored temporarily or permanently during migration is encrypted using AWS KMS. You can use AWS-managed keys or customer-managed CMKs for greater control.
Network Security: Migration traffic can traverse private connections using AWS PrivateLink, VPC endpoints, or AWS Direct Connect. This keeps data off the public internet.
Access Control: IAM policies restrict who can initiate, monitor, or modify migration tasks. Service-linked roles provide least-privilege access for migration services.
Audit and Compliance: AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls to migration services. AWS Config rules can validate security configurations.
How to Answer Exam Questions
When facing questions about migration security:
1. Identify the data sensitivity level - Highly sensitive data requires customer-managed KMS keys and private connectivity
2. Consider the migration path - On-premises to AWS typically requires VPN or Direct Connect for secure transit
3. Match the tool to the requirement - Snow Family for air-gapped environments, DMS with SSL for database migrations, MGN for server migrations
4. Look for compliance keywords - HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or SOC requirements suggest stronger encryption and audit controls
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Security Methods for Migration Tools
Tip 1: When a question mentions migrating databases with sensitive data, look for answers that include SSL endpoint configuration in DMS combined with KMS encryption.
Tip 2: For scenarios requiring data to remain on private networks, choose solutions involving VPC endpoints, PrivateLink, or Direct Connect rather than public internet options.
Tip 3: Snow Family devices are the correct answer when questions describe air-gapped networks, classified environments, or locations lacking reliable internet connectivity.
Tip 4: If a question asks about auditing migration activities for compliance, CloudTrail integration is typically part of the correct answer.
Tip 5: Customer-managed CMKs in KMS are preferred over AWS-managed keys when questions emphasize key rotation control or cross-account access requirements.
Tip 6: For large-scale migrations requiring bandwidth optimization alongside security, look for answers combining AWS DataSync with encryption and scheduling features.
Tip 7: When questions mention hybrid environments with ongoing replication, MGN with encrypted replication channels is typically the most appropriate choice.