Building a robust Azure cloud platform strategy

Microsoft Azure offers a host of benefits, from agility and innovation to optimised models of consumption. However, to leverage these benefits, you need a clear, well-executed strategy that aligns to your business plan. Our Azure team has tailored cloud strategy roadmaps for many organisations – discover their recommendations in this blog.

The shift from traditional on-premises data centre to the public cloud requires a change in mindset and approach. In today’s dynamic business environment, organisations are constantly seeking ways to improve agility, reduce costs and drive innovation. Cloud computing, particularly Microsoft Azure, offers a powerful platform to achieve these goals.

Simply ‘lifting and shifting’ existing infrastructure is not enough to realise the full benefits of cloud computing. A well-defined and executed cloud strategy is the essential ingredient for maximising your investments in Azure.

In this blog, our Azure experts are sharing a comprehensive roadmap for building a robust Azure cloud platform strategy, focusing on the essential elements of a successful cloud transformation: operating models, architecture, governance, automation and security.

By adopting the best practices outlined you can modernise your IT landscape, drive innovation, and achieve greater business agility with tangible business outcomes.

Establishing a cloud operating model

Transitioning to the cloud requires more than just migrating infrastructure; it necessitates a fundamental shift in how IT operates. Traditional, siloed teams that focused on hardware must evolve into business-focused, collaborative units. Embracing cloud-native principles like DevOps, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is essential. Drive a cloud operating model by:

• Aligning technical expertise with business objectives
• Fostering collaboration between infrastructure, development, data, and support teams
• Defining new roles like cloud architects, platform engineers, security specialists, business analysts, and FinOps practitioners
• Providing comprehensive training and take advantage of resources like Microsoft Learn and hands-on practice labs
• A shift to a more agile team structure is also recommended. Moving away from silos, towards cross-functional teams with diverse skill sets is essential

A cloud operating model is about aligning your people, processes and technology to achieve business outcomes in the cloud. By breaking down silos, fostering collaboration and embracing cloud-native practices, you can maximise your investments in Azure and drive innovation.

Establishing a robust solution architecture

A solution architecture acts as a bridge between the business needs and technical implementation. It provides a structured approach to designing IT solutions that provide the right business outcomes. Key benefits include:

• Improved alignment with business objectives
• Agile response to changing requirements
• Reduced development costs and time
• Enhanced security and compliance
• Improved operational efficiency

A TDA would usually consist of architects or subject matter experts from technical teams across your organisation who discuss and review key decisions for enabling technologies.

A good solution architecture is critical for achieving business objectives, optimising performance, managing costs, ensuring security, and facilitating collaboration. By investing time in designing a robust architecture for your Azure environment, you set the foundation for successful cloud deployments that can evolve with your organisation.

Implementing effective cloud governance

Cloud governance is crucial for managing cloud resource usage efficiently, securely, and compliantly. Key aspects include:

• Establishing a cross-functional cloud governance team
• Developing and enforcing comprehensive policies covering data management, security, compliance, and cost control
• Leveraging Azure governance tools such as Azure Policy, Cost Management and Billing, Defender for Cloud, Azure Monitor and Logs, and Resource Graph
• Promoting a culture of accountability, service ownership and continuous improvement
• Implementing FinOps practices to bring financial accountability to cloud spending, focusing on collaboration, visibility, accountability, and cost optimisation

Effective cloud governance is not just about implementing tools and policies; it is about establishing a framework for responsible cloud usage. By fostering a culture of accountability, leveraging appropriate tools and frameworks you can maintain control over your cloud environment, ensuring compliance, security, cost efficiency and sustainability.

Platform automation, especially using infrastructure as code (IaC) and DevOps, is essential for modern IT operations. IaC automates infrastructure provisioning and management through code, enabling consistency, speed, version control, scalability, and collaboration.

Tools like Microsoft’s Bicep (Azure-specific) and Terraform (multi-cloud) are key. DevOps practices like CI/CD, source control and work tracking further enhance automation. Choosing the appropriate IaC tool depends on your organisation’s needs, with Terraform being ideal for multi-cloud strategies.

IaC tools are typically used to design and deploy repeatable architectures to enable technology teams to quickly deploy and manage new platforms. A real-world example of this would be an organisation looking to expand its cloud presence into a new region. In this case, a ‘landing zone’ defined in infrastructure as code could simply have a new set of variables defined, and the deployment process for a new region could start within minutes, providing a standard set of resources for the requirement.

By embracing platform automation, organisations can significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of their cloud operations. IaC and DevOps practices enable faster deployments, reduced errors, and improved collaboration, freeing up teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Prioritising security best practices

A cloud security strategy is paramount.

Cloud security focus areas include IAM, network security, data protection, threat detection, security integration with IaC, compliance, and incident response. You should also consider leveraging advanced Azure security tools like Azure Sentinel, Defender CSPM, DDoS Protection and Microsoft Purview.

It is important to recognise that in the cloud, there is a shared responsibility applied to security principles and although cloud providers build their resources to best practice, the responsibility of applying appropriate security controls to a platform design lies with the organisation.

Security practices must be architected into solutions and defence in depth is a key consideration for this. For example, in Azure this could include practices such as having centralised firewalls but also using Network Security Groups and Private Links on subnets to ensure that network traffic is secured at all levels.

Security should be a core component of any cloud strategy. By adhering to key security principles, implementing robust controls, and leveraging Azure’s security tools, organisations can protect their investments and reputation.

A robust foundation for a future-proof cloud platform

The cloud landscape is in constant motion, demanding a similarly adaptable Azure strategy.

Transforming your IT landscape with Azure is not a one-time project, but a continuous journey of improvement and adaptation. By establishing a robust foundation in the key elements outlined – operating models, architecture, governance, automation, and security – you can build a resilient and future-proof cloud platform.

This strategic and holistic approach unlocks significant business value, including increased agility, reduced costs, enhanced security, and accelerated innovation.

Continue to embrace cloud-native principles and prioritise regular architecture reviews. Adaptation is essential for navigating the ever-changing cloud landscape and achieving long-term value of your Azure investments.