Compliant SQL Data Migration to AWS RDS for Healthcare

Migrating SQL data to AWS RDS for PostgreSQL is a critical step in modernizing healthcare database infrastructure. In this article, we explore the use of AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to facilitate the migration, with a focus on a healthcare-specific use case.

Why AWS RDS for Healthcare?

Amazon RDS provides a managed relational database service that supports HIPAA-eligible workloads when configured correctly. For healthcare organizations, this means:

Encryption at rest using AWS KMS
Encryption in transit via SSL/TLS
Automated backups with point-in-time recovery
Multi-AZ deployments for high availability
VPC isolation for network security

AWS Database Migration Service Overview

AWS DMS supports both homogeneous migrations (SQL Server to SQL Server) and heterogeneous migrations (SQL Server to PostgreSQL). For healthcare workloads, DMS provides:

Continuous data replication to minimize downtime during cutover
Data validation to verify row counts and checksums
Schema conversion via the AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT)
Audit logging for compliance documentation

HIPAA Compliance Considerations

When migrating PHI (Protected Health Information), several additional controls are required:

Data Classification — Identify all tables containing PHI before migration begins. This drives encryption key management and access control decisions.

Business Associate Agreement — Ensure your AWS BAA covers RDS and DMS. AWS provides a standard BAA for HIPAA-eligible services.

Access Controls — Implement least-privilege IAM policies for DMS replication instances. Database credentials should be stored in AWS Secrets Manager, not hardcoded.

Audit Trail — Enable AWS CloudTrail and RDS audit logging to maintain a complete record of all data access during and after migration.

Network Isolation — Run DMS replication instances in a private subnet with no direct internet access. Use VPC endpoints for AWS service communication.

Migration Execution Steps

Schema conversion — Use AWS SCT to convert SQL Server schemas to PostgreSQL-compatible DDL
Full load — DMS performs an initial full load of all data
CDC (Change Data Capture) — DMS captures ongoing changes during the migration window
Validation — Run row count and checksum validation across all tables
Cutover — Stop writes to the source, apply final CDC changes, update connection strings
Post-migration — Verify application functionality and monitor for errors

Working with Atayo

Atayo has deep experience migrating healthcare databases to AWS while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Contact us to discuss your database migration requirements.