What skills do you need to work with cloud services?

I have used all these models where IaaS is scalable and offers businesses greater flexibility than on-premise solutions through the cloud. IaaS businesses typically provide services such as pay-as-you-go storage, networking and virtualization. PaaS, also known as cloud platform services, provides developers with a framework, software and tools needed to build apps and software — all accessible through the internet. Often seen as a scaled-down version of IaaS, PaaS gives its customers broader access to servers, storage and networking, all managed by a third-party provider. is the most commonly used service within the cloud market. SaaS platforms make software available to users over the internet, usually for a monthly subscription fee.

I do agree with this. Understanding the three major service models is important. Recalling the decision I took while deciding how to deploy our project, I selected Managed database (Paas Model) because we did not had the resources to maintain our own database team. But for the the frontend and backend, we wanted more granular control and went with EC2 instances (Iaas). Knowing the experience of the team, the time to market and the budget we had, this was a carefully crafted decision.

IaaS offers the raw building blocks in the cloud computing landscape, letting you control the significant IT components. PaaS provides a foundation, offloading the underlying complexities but retaining application control. The complete software suite with SaaS is outsourced, optimising user experience but limiting bespoke alterations. Your choice hinges on desired control levels, technical expertise, and budget.

A client can choose any cloud service model based on their needs and need not restrict just to one model. For example, for any productivity or colloboaration tools, they can use SaaS services while they can leverage PaaS services for customising those services tailored to their needs. IaaS services can be utilized when they just want to replace the underlying hardware from on-premises infrastructure to cloud or where their requirements dicate them to have access to instances that host the applications.

Skills to work with cloud computing? For me, it's more about mindset. The advantage of cloud computing is that you're not investing in capital expenditure, primarily because you spend only as you consume (cloud) services. With this structural difference, experimentation is much easier, and comes with less (financial) risk. So, the best thing you can do is get started, experiment, learn, adapt, evolve. Too much time in planning (and analysis, leading to paralysis) should be avoided. Go ahead. Make some mistakes, adapt, change, iterate. Get started. It's likely the best approach to embracing cloud.

Cloud security is very important aspects of our cloud services where i used to create various governance policy , least privilege rule ,encryption ,secured way of secret management , set up trail logs for all cloud services so we have an eye on everything , image scanning set up as well

In the digital realm, cloud security safeguards data and applications from threats. It hinges on the shared responsibility model, dividing tasks between users and providers. Key defences include encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular monitoring. Coupled with best practices, such as routine updates and data backups, users can collaborate with providers to establish a robust barrier against cyber threats, ensuring seamless and secure cloud operations.

Actually I agree Cloud security is a shared responsibility model. The cloud provider guarantees customers to secure physical, data link, network and in transport layers. That said customers should always be vigilant with their data security both at-rest and in-transit. Cloud providers do secure your data at rest however, they do not control how you access and use your data. At the end of the day it is your data and any leakage is your responsibility...period. Data security should be taken seriously regardless of where it is stored, be it on-premise, private cloud or public cloud and remember it is your data so you are responsible and accountable for it.

Definitely having a grasp of cloud security is incredibly important. It revolves around safeguarding your data and applications while adhering to the guidelines. The shared responsibility model plays a role here as both you and the cloud provider have responsibilities. Implementing practices such, as using passwords, encryption techniques and backups adds multiple layers of protection. It's also crucial to be vigilant by monitoring and updating your software. This collaborative effort, with the provider ensures that your valuable assets remain highly secure in the cloud!

In the landscape of cloud services, mastering cloud security is paramount. It's not just about protecting data; it's about ensuring trust, compliance, and resilience. Understanding the shared responsibility model is key—a partnership where cloud providers and users collaborate to fortify security. A recent project exemplifies the essence of these practices. For our customer-centric e-commerce app, we harnessed IaaS for tailored security configurations, while PaaS managed intricate databases, lightening our management load. Cloud security isn't an option—it's a compass guiding us through the intricacies of the digital frontier. By weaving security into our strategies, we ensure innovation flourishes without compromising data integrity.

I work on mostly hybrid cloud where i have to deal with multiple cloud at a time it could public to public cloud like aws ,azure or it could be Vm ware to azure , As i had been involved in various migration project as well where we need to keep cloud architecture in our mind before building a new platform on different cloud

Cloud architecture is the blueprint for your digital skyscraper in the cloud realm. Just as architectural plans detail the structure and aesthetics of buildings, cloud architecture outlines the arrangement and interconnection of cloud resources. Adhering to design principles ensures that the resulting infrastructure is solid but also flexible, scalable, and economical. Think of automating processes using state-of-the-art lifts and modular components akin to prefabricated rooms. Decoupling is the art of ensuring each floor operates independently. Furthermore, your choice between public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud is akin to selecting the plot of land. Your decision should factor in goals, resources, and potential risks.

Cloud architecture is very important for any company, there are Cloud adoption frameworks available by each cloud providers. A cloud governance group should be setup in conjunction to cloud architecture making sure maximum benefit is achieved with moving workload to private or public cloud.

The- importance lies in aligning this process with both functional and non-functional re-quirements. It involves inte-grating elements like- servers, storage, and apps into a cohe-sive whole. With my exte-nsive experie-nce working on Google Cloud Platform I found that e-mbracing cloud design principles become-s imperative. Considerations include- flexibility, reliability, efficie-ncy, safety, and cost.

Cloud architecture is akin to orchestrating a symphony of resources. Design principles—automation, modularization, optimization—form the blueprint. Deployment models—public, private, hybrid—add the final touches. In a recent project, we seamlessly integrated these elements, giving rise to an architecture that went beyond function, fostering true transformation. A harmonious blend of innovation and strategy! Decoupling dependencies empowered seamless growth, and performance optimization was etched into every line of code. In the orchestra of cloud architecture, every note matters. By harmonizing design principles, deployment models, and project goals, we sculpted an architectural marvel that wasn't just functional—it was visionary.

In order to work on Cloud development , I would suggest to start thinking in the usecase , like what services will best fitted towards our application behaviour by keeping cost as an first priority and then definitely start with IDE , to start writing the code and then Push to repo and then select and provision the needed services like database ,caching etc.

Evaluating your needs is one of the most important and underestimated process when it comes to cloud development. Most of the cloud services gives your multiple options for developing solution. It is up to you to first test out different options and find the services fit for you. A small example, when developing solution for a client on a reporting project we evaluated BigQuery, Cloud SQL, GCS , Cloud Spanner etc all of these are storage and analytics services given by GCP. But we found the best one based on extensive evaluations.

Cloud development is an artistry where tools and services harmonize to craft digital marvels. Seamlessly weaving tools into our workflow was an invigorating puzzle. Exploring cloud services was akin to entering a realm of technological enchantment. Databases laid the foundation, AI and machine learning infused intelligence, while serverless computing streamlined efficiency. Orchestrating services, we created a symphony of user-centric solutions. This journey epitomized cloud development—converting concepts into tangible realities. Cloud development is a portal to boundless innovation. Every line of code, each service integration, contributed brushstrokes to a masterpiece transcending function, embodying progress's essence.

Working with a cloud solution requires a shift in mentality regarding code production and delivery. The code is not the only product; configuration, deployment, logging, tracing, and monitoring are equally important. These elements collectively contribute to the overall performance and reliability of cloud services. Also, it's essential for developers to ensure reproducibility for infrastructure and deliveries, and to maintain immutable code. This approach helps cloud services be spun up or down based on demand, The Twelve-Factor methodology provides a useful framework for building software-as-a-service apps that are easy to scale and maintain in the cloud environment.

I work very heavily on the operation side where Iam responsible for working on making backup policy , Disaster recovery , Migration services and making our Application Highly available, fault tolerance used Auto scaling policy , Application load balancer also setting up some Governance rule

In addition to the cloud operation tools and services provided by cloud providers like dashboards , alerts , logs, metrics and report, it is also important that your application running on cloud should be integrated properly with this cloud operation tools. For example GCP provides logging and profiling of Apps using open telemetery but you have to add the code in app to send logs and imp information to cloud ops tools. Similarly alerts and notification should be configured with the services you use for communication like Slack notification on alerts or Email on any incident etc

The best way to learn and understand the 3 public cloud platforms is to do the fundamentals certification on each. This will help you understand the different types of cloud service models, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS), as well as the common cloud deployment models, such as public, private, and hybrid.

Learn in levels! You should first master the fundamentals of all cloud services, as we discussed earlier in this article. Then, you can focus on a specific area that interests you, such as data engineering. Don’t jump into advanced topics right away, but start with the basics and build your foundation. After that, you can explore more in-depth and specialized aspects of data engineering. Use a variety of learning methods from vendors and the community, such as documentation, courses, blogs, videos, projects, and challenges. And don’t forget to share your learnings with others. This will benefit the community and encourage more collaboration across different companies.

You can start learning cloud by first exploring the fundamentals of cloud in general; then focus on foundation certificate by anyone of the cloud service providers, which will give you an understanding of various cloud services being offered; complement this learning by completing personal projects/ hands-on trainings and this will give you a good knowledge on cloud. After this, based on your aspirations, you can start to specialize in different roles or areas like Data Analytics, AI, DevOps, Solutions Architect, etc. There are various trainings, documentations, courses, blogs, etc provided by CSP as well as other training providers (both free & paid) that you can leverage to upskill in cloud

Beginning with the basics—grasping service models and providers' platforms—I navigated through virtualization, networking, and security. Each module was a new chapter, each concept a plot twist. Starting with no prior cloud knowledge, I devoured tutorials and courses, unraveling the complexities of cloud architecture. Provisioning virtual machines, and experimenting with serverless functions—these hands-on experiences etched the lessons profound. Cloud learning isn't a linear path; it's a mosaic of exploration. With each resource I tapped into, a new facet of cloud computing emerged. Like a novel, it has its eureka moments and challenges. Yet, it's a narrative of growth and transformation—a tale of continuous discovery in the digital age.

I think there is a category missing in this article : Cloud finance. Cost is at the center of every Cloud discussion. If you want to take the most of the Cloud, you need to be good in calculating, understanding the financial specifics of Cloud (consumption models and cost optimisations, etc).

The history of Hosting or how it evolved to this day focusing on major key components (e.g. journey of the dedicated host to VM to the container) is important to discuss. And maybe some case studies. By case studies, I mean what skills, roles, or positions increased when a big company migrated to the cloud.

People are also a key component to success because it requires human resources to design, develop, secure, implement, and maintain cloud services. Good people are needed to troubleshoot any problems that may arise in the system or the cloud services. Without people running cloud services effectively and securely, organizations cannot take advantage of the scalability and assumed cost savings associated with cloud.

Another important aspect in cloud are deployment models, which defines how the cloud services are consumed and how they are managed. Broadly there are 5 deployment models 1. Private Cloud - cloud services are dedicated for use by a single organization and mostly managed by themselves 2. Public cloud - cloud services can be conusmed by any organizations globally and managed by cloud service providers like AWS, Azure, GCP, etc 3. Hybrid cloud - uses cloud services from both private and public clouds 4. Multi cloud - consuming public cloud services from more than 1 cloud service provider 5. Community cloud - cloud services are shared only among a group of few organizations

Why do companies move to the cloud? That is a question usually overlooked when designing a cloud first or hybrid cloud framework? Do I really need to move to the cloud, do I have to, do I have what it takes. Oh wait best practices already. So many things are required and are actually taken for granted. You will end up on the cloud, but at which cost. Something to ponder upon five years ago. Now, it is more managing my cloud via AI :)