Mastering Cloud Governance: The Key to Successful Cloud Deployment and Operations

As more organizations move their operations to the cloud, the need for effective cloud governance has become increasingly important. In fact, studies have shown that companies with a clear cloud governance strategy in place are 2.5 times more likely to achieve their cloud goals than those without one (Source: Gartner). In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of cloud governance in deployment and operations, and provide practical tips on how to implement a successful strategy.

Understanding Cloud Governance

Cloud governance refers to the set of policies, procedures, and standards that an organization uses to manage its cloud-based assets and resources. It involves defining roles and responsibilities, setting security and compliance standards, and establishing metrics for measuring performance. Effective cloud governance is essential for ensuring that cloud resources are used efficiently, securely, and in a way that aligns with business objectives.

According to a survey by RightScale, 71% of enterprises have a cloud-first strategy, but only 22% have a mature cloud governance model in place (Source: RightScale). This highlights the need for organizations to prioritize cloud governance and develop a strategic approach to managing their cloud resources.

Implementing Cloud Governance in Deployment

When it comes to deploying cloud resources, governance plays a critical role in ensuring that resources are provisioned correctly, securely, and in a way that aligns with business objectives. Here are some tips for implementing cloud governance in deployment:

  • Define a Clear Governance Structure: Establish clear roles and responsibilities for cloud deployment, including who is responsible for provisioning resources, managing access, and monitoring performance.
  • Use Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Use IaC tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation to define infrastructure configurations and ensure consistency across deployments.
  • Implement Security and Compliance Standards: Establish security and compliance standards for cloud resources, including encryption, access controls, and auditing.
  • Monitor and Report on Deployment Activity: Use tools such as AWS CloudTrail or Azure Monitor to monitor and report on deployment activity, including resource usage, performance, and security.

Implementing Cloud Governance in Operations

Once cloud resources are deployed, governance continues to play a critical role in ensuring that resources are operated efficiently, securely, and in a way that aligns with business objectives. Here are some tips for implementing cloud governance in operations:

  • Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Establish SLAs for cloud resources, including availability, performance, and support.
  • Use IT Service Management (ITSM) Tools: Use ITSM tools such as ServiceNow or JIRA to manage incidents, requests, and changes to cloud resources.
  • Implement Continuous Monitoring and Feedback: Use tools such as AWS CloudWatch or Azure Monitor to continuously monitor and report on cloud resource performance, security, and compliance.
  • Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, including continuous learning, experimentation, and feedback.

Best Practices for Cloud Governance

In addition to implementing cloud governance in deployment and operations, there are several best practices that organizations can follow to ensure effective cloud governance:

  • Use a Cloud Governance Framework: Use a cloud governance framework such as the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Cloud Governance Framework to provide structure and guidance for cloud governance.
  • Establish a Cloud Governance Committee: Establish a cloud governance committee to provide oversight and direction for cloud governance.
  • Conduct Regular Cloud Governance Reviews: Conduct regular reviews of cloud governance to ensure that policies, procedures, and standards are up-to-date and effective.

Conclusion

Effective cloud governance is critical for ensuring that cloud resources are used efficiently, securely, and in a way that aligns with business objectives. By implementing cloud governance in deployment and operations, and following best practices for cloud governance, organizations can ensure that their cloud resources are governed effectively. What are your experiences with cloud governance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

References:

  • Gartner: “Cloud Adoption and Management Survey”
  • RightScale: “2019 State of Cloud Survey”
  • Cloud Security Alliance: “Cloud Governance Framework”