Is Cloud Operations Really The Next Big Thing?

From the last few years, you’ve heard all about cloud computing. Its benefits, how it transformed the systems of many industries, trends, and many more reasons why you should consider moving to the cloud. And since then, indeed, the hype had encouraged many companies to migrate their data, applications, and operations.

However, migration to the cloud is not an easy one-time step. That’s why currently, most companies are in the middle phase. The phase where some data are already running the cloud while some are still in the on-prem facilities. This further complicates the operation and management of the cloud.

Similarly, when they reach full maturity and their system is completely transformed as cloud-based, new approaches and techniques must be established. As some of the traditional IT operations will definitely not work for this new set-up. So what’s the next big thing for cloud computing? CLOUD OPS.

Here are some strategies to ensure continuous and sustainable cloud operation:

Be clear with security responsibilities

When you move to the cloud, you agree to be partners with your cloud provider in many aspects. Your CloudOps team should be able to read and review the agreement you signed with your cloud provider. Especially regarding security.

Most security breaches occur more often due to an unclear understanding of the roles and responsibilities rather than a lack of technology support. That’s why the boundaries of which are covered and not by your provider should be clear to your team. Then, that’s where the planning for security strategy on your side should start.

Keep up with Key Tools and Technology

The uncomfortable truth: you need a whole new set of playbooks and game plans to make your migration to the cloud work.

During the transition, it is natural for your CloudOps team to struggle to find the perfect balance of tools that would work for both cloud and non-cloud systems. But in the long run, after successfully moving to the cloud, you’ll need a new set of op tools suited perfectly for the cloud. You’ll have to invest more on the R&D side of your team to develop these solutions.

Luckily, artificial intelligence, CI/CD, and ML operations are slowly being incorporated into cloud operations to address the emerging needs for effective and suitable tools and technologies.

Aim for Zero Downtime thru Redundancy

For many, an absolute hundred percent uptime is just a hoax, and downtime is inevitable. But it is something most companies fear about. In fact, a survey shows that 84% of the respondents would rather walk on hot coal than have an unplanned data center outage. This is a tall order to fulfill for CloudOps.

Whenever a server is being updated or fixed, operations have to stop. As well as the whole network and applications. This is something that redundant systems can address. Companies are encouraged to employ duplicates of essential components and functions to ensure continuous operations no matter what. Some cloud providers even offer a whole redundant data center or server.

This is also possible by the automatic and self-provisioning support from some cloud platforms. With proper execution, the operation will remain up and running during software updates and system failures.