Trends in automation and optimization of cloud infrastructure

The cloud is a fundamental pillar of innovation and efficiency in companies. In recent years, cloud computing has been so successful that companies have transferred many operations to this environment. Due to its complexity, managing a company's cloud computing infrastructure has become a huge task.

Cloud automation

Automation is taking on an increasingly important role as organizations seek to make the most of cloud resources. To better understand the transformative role of automation in cloud infrastructure, it is necessary to analyze the trends that are currently being observed:
 

• Multi-cloud dominance

Companies used to opt for a single cloud service provider, but with the focus on flexibility, multi-cloud strategies are gaining momentum. Redundancy and compliance are the main drivers.
 

• Not having a server

Not having a server is less of a concern for companies. Developers can concentrate solely on coding and deploying code, without worrying about server provisioning, scaling infrastructure, or downtime.
 

• Security reinvented with ISAC

Best security practices, when integrated into infrastructure scripts, guarantee better resilience. ISAC (Infrastructure Security as Code) can be seen as the fortress that protects cloud infrastructure.
 

• GitOps version control

Changes to cloud infrastructure are stored as versions that can be recovered in the event of a disaster. Thus, automation can bring the infrastructure back to the latest, stable state effortlessly.
 

• Immutable infrastructure

The immutable cloud computing infrastructure allows companies to always work with a "new" infrastructure, i.e. the latest version that is constantly updated. Outdated infrastructures are replaced, not repaired. This immutable infrastructure ensures that every change is a new beginning, eliminating inconsistencies.  
 

• Automation powered by AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) will take automation to a new level by adopting a preventative rather than curative approach. AI will use its knowledge of historical incident data to continuously monitor all components of the cloud infrastructure. 
 

Cloud automation best practices

What are the best practices that can enable organizations to get the most out of their cloud investments? 
 

• The black box approach

One of the main innovations in cloud automation is Infrastructure as Code (IAC). Cloud automation tools, such as Azure Resource Manager, allow infrastructure to be provisioned through code, making deployments consistent and reproducible. These tools hide the complexities of cloud management behind a codable interface.
 

• Modularity

Modularity allows automation in terms of blocks that fit together and work. Automation scripts can be organized into reusable modules to ensure consistency while being agile in implementation.
 

• Simplifying software development

Adopting the dynamic duo of Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) ensures that software delivery is punctual and accurate.
 

Strategic benefits of cloud automation

Automation plays a key role in various aspects of IT, simplifying deployment, monitoring, security, configuration, backup, and network administration. It also improves workflows with tools such as Power Automate, supports incident response, and effectively integrates data. 

Want to know how cloud computing services can be strategically interesting for your company? Contact Hydra iT!