WEI Tech Exchange

Enabling Secure DevOps Practices on AWS

By Keith Lafaso |   Oct 10, 2024

In the previous posts in this series, we explored the fundamentals of cloud governance, strategies for managing shadow IT, best practices for building a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) and implementing continuous compliance on AWS. As organizations increasingly adopt DevOps practices to accelerate innovation, the challenge becomes ensuring that security is seamlessly integrated into this rapid development and deployment cycle. In this post, we’ll explore how to enable secure DevOps practices on AWS, highlighting key principles and best practices for embedding security into every phase of your development workflows.

Achieving Continuous Compliance and Audit Readiness on AWS

By Keith Lafaso |   Sep 12, 2024

A critical aspect of any cloud governance program is ensuring continuous compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining audit readiness. In this post, we’ll dive into how to implement continuous compliance on AWS. We’ll cover the shared responsibility model, key AWS services for compliance, and best practices for automating compliance checks and evidence collection.

Building a Cloud Center of Excellence to Drive Cloud Governance

By Keith Lafaso |   Jul 23, 2024

In the two previous posts in this series, we first explored the fundamentals of cloud governance and then followed up on strategies for managing shadow IT. A key theme throughout has been the importance of establishing a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) to centralize cloud expertise and drive governance across the organization.

In part three of this series, we'll dive deeper into how to design and operate a successful CCoE. We'll cover defining the purpose and composition of a CCoE, establishing a governance model, ensuring collaboration, and measuring success.

Shining A Light On Shadow IT: Strategies For Secure Innovation On AWS

By Keith Lafaso |   Jul 12, 2024

In the first installment of this extended part series, we explored the fundamentals of cloud governance and best practices for establishing a robust governance framework on AWS. We identified shadow IT, which is the use of unapproved cloud services by employees, as a key challenge. In this article, we'll dive deeper into strategies for managing shadow IT risks while fostering the agility and innovation the cloud enables. We will also focus on leveraging AWS services to improve visibility, automate policies, and provide secure self-service options.

Ensuring Security And Efficiency With Cloud

By Keith Lafaso |   Jun 27, 2024

This is the first installment of a series focused on AWS security. Click here to access part 2.

As businesses increasingly migrate operations to the cloud, ensuring security and efficiency becomes paramount. Cloud governance provides a structured framework that allows organizations to manage cloud services and resources effectively while minimizing risks and maximizing benefits. In this first installment of our cloud governance blog series, we will explore the fundamentals of cloud governance, the importance of implementing a robust framework, and best practices to ensure security and operational efficiency, drawing on insights from my experience as the Principal Cloud Strategist at WEI.

AWS Cost Optimization: 10 Strategies To Maximize Cloud Value

By Keith Lafaso |   Apr 18, 2024

Did you decide to come back for more after reading 7 Effective Practices For Multi-Cloud Cost Optimization? I’m glad you did. Now, let's dive into the world of AWS cost optimization and explore some essential strategies to help you get the most value out of your cloud investments. In this blog post, we'll cover a range of tips and best practices, from understanding your cost drivers to leveraging AWS tools and services for maximum efficiency. We'll also discuss the importance of laying a solid foundation, utilizing real-time data, designing effective cost allocation strategies, and embracing a proactive approach to cloud cost management.

7 Effective Practices For Multi-Cloud Cost Optimization

By Keith Lafaso |   Apr 11, 2024

If you're part of an organization that's jumped on the multi-cloud bandwagon, you've probably realized that managing costs across various cloud platforms can be challenging. Each cloud provider comes with its own set of pricing models, billing structures, and management tools, making it a challenge to get a clear picture of your cloud spending and spot opportunities for optimization. But don't worry, we've got your back! In this blog post, we're going to walk you through some tried-and-true strategies and best practices for optimizing costs in multi-cloud environments.

Application Management: Keep Pace With Your Application Modernization

By Patrick Gamble |   Feb 16, 2023

It’s Tuesday and you are waiting for work colleagues to join you at lunch for a quick reprieve from the office. You pull out your smartphone and begin browsing to pass the time. An interesting technology article catches your eye and you tap to access the page. Unfortunately, the session times out and your engagement with that journey ends prematurely. Does this experience sound familiar?

6 Ways Fortinet Provides Agile Security For Your AWS Cloud Environment

By Mike Thweatt |   Aug 30, 2022

Cloud security is often viewed as a hindrance to productivity and agility, slowing down the ability to develop new applications and processes. However, when adopting a new cloud environment such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), you must balance adequate cloud security with the cloud’s elasticity and scalability.

How Qumulo Shift For Amazon S3 Can Revolutionize Your Data Storage

By Jay Cardin |   Aug 31, 2021

How much data is your enterprise creating and what are you doing about it? For most companies, data is being created, and subsequently stored, at faster and faster rates. However, many enterprises lack the tools to properly utilize and take advantage of their data, especially those that are still struggling with just the data storage part of the equation.