Deploying to a cloud server is a fundamental step towards embracing the scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of cloud computing. However, to harness its full potential and ensure a seamless operation, it is essential to adhere to a set of best practices that optimise performance, security, and resource utilisation. Whether you are a seasoned cloud engineer or a newcomer to the world of cloud technologies, mastering these best practices is paramount to unlocking the true value of cloud-based infrastructure. This article will run over some of these practices.
Best Security Practices
In an era where data breaches and cybersecurity threats loom large, implementing the best security practices in the cloud is paramount to safeguarding sensitive information, including:
- Locking down your identity management: You can do this by implementing multi-factor authentication or blocking legacy authentication protocols
- Secure the compute layer: This can be done by moving unnecessary programs in the operating systems programs and continuously checking for vulnerabilities.
- Secure the cloud storage: To do this you can manage data access, encrypting or classifying your data.
- Secure the network: You do this by either using a VPN or a firewall.
- Secure your applications: Using a Web Application Firewall is the best course of action.
- Protect your cloud services: Use source control to secure versions, access to builds and deployment instances.
Best Operating Practices
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape there are many ways for organisations seeking to adhere to a set of best practices that optimise performance, including:
- Adopt Infrastructure as Code (IaC) methodology for automated and consistent provisioning of workloads.
- Develop and deploy applications using automated code deployment for consistency across multiple infrastructure deployments.
- Manage infrastructure configuration with configuration management tools for consistency and updates.
- Make frequent and iterative deployments with automation to minimise risks and identify issues early.
- Automate application deployment processes and leverage automation for testing prior to deployment.
- Leverage monitoring and alerting to proactively identify system performance issues.
- Develop and document a disaster recovery plan, automate recovery processes, and regularly test the plan.
- Establish a process for Cloud Infrastructure support interactions.
- Learn from failures through root-cause analysis and improve incident response processes.
- Identify and monitor workload Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for proactive identification of performance problems.
- Utilise managed cloud services to offload tactical tasks and focus on core competencies.
- Clearly identify and document customer responsibilities for cloud resources and operational procedures for each.
By implementing these best practices when deploying a cloud server, you are setting the stage for a robust and resilient infrastructure that can adapt to the demands of your applications and users. Continuously monitor and optimise your cloud environment to ensure it remains aligned with your organisation’s evolving needs. To learn the best approach for your business to take contact us at specialists@edenai.co.za.
This article was enriched using the following references:
Nemnom, C. (2023) charbelnemnom.com | Cloud and Cyber Security 6 security best practices for cloud deployment
https://charbelnemnom.com/6-security-best-practices-for-cloud-deployment/
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (2021) Best practices for operating cloud deployments efficiently
https://docs.oracle.com/en/solutions/oci-best-practices-operations/best-practices-operating-cloud-deployments-efficiency1.html#GUID-94F0F0C3-0676-4028-941B-B8255C9A409E