We all do have a slight idea of what cloud computing is, but what is cloud automation? Is it different from cloud computing, or related to it, or the same but called with a different name? You’re not alone, even in the first place, I thought they both were the same, but with different names. So, cloud automation is just like an assistant, which is used to reduce and eliminate cloud computing’s workloads and services efficiently.
Isn’t it quite an impressive term for cloud computing aid to be referred to as cloud automation? In layman’s terms, the word automation is defined as the technique, process, or tool that enables a system to operate automatically. I hope this piece of information gives you a clue about ‘what is cloud automation?’ and what its intent is in this digitally molded world.
1. What Is Cloud Automation?
Let’s dive into cloud automation in detail. Cloud automation is a mode that enables IT and software developers to handle cloud-related stuff most easily and conveniently. Imagine an application/ software is being created, over time, its resources can be tested, run-down, and taken down if no longer needed from the cloud.
This process would take a huge manual effort and time, so to make it a one-stop process, cloud automation comes in handy. Moreover, cloud automation is a set of third-party cloud tools that can be specialized accordingly by the user for their automation processes in various cloud environments.
For instance, AWS Elastic Beanstalk is an automation platform that enables autoscaling, load balancing, and monitoring of applications based on Python, Java, NET, or Ruby languages in the Amazon Elastic Computing cloud (EC2).
2. Advantages of Cloud Automation
Several reasons and software are available to prove why cloud automation is important for one’s business; however, there are only a good number of valid points one should consider before opting for cloud automation. Continue reading to know the advantages of cloud automation before understanding “What is cloud automation?”
2.1. Simplifying Process
The modern IT environment has to be dynamic, so it is important to execute any type of task as quickly as possible. Cloud automation deals with businesses in reducing IT complexity such as with poor performance in the market, routine tasks, duplication, security, plaguing processes, and other infrastructural errors.
2.2. Cost-Effective and Time-Saving
Who wouldn’t say no to a cost-effective service? Well, not me! A manual task would cost labor charges and of course, time to complete. However, automation reduces all these factors by implementing quick arrangements to do routine tasks. Besides, cloud automation is all about purchasing software and hardware that are at immediate disposal.
2.3. Management of Cloud Resources
Cloud resources of the businesses, as well as the end-users, are managed in such a way; that they are neatly allocated, assigned, and monitored in the cloud (public, private, and hybrid). Cloud automation handles the myriad array of applications, databases, and platforms so comprehensively, such that, for an effective and short time frame workflow, only the required needs can be satisfied smoothly. Therefore, the wastage of resources is also reduced efficiently.
2.4. Creation of Virtual Networks
Network automation is a useful process in the cloud because it makes sure that the networks and services using the software are well-planned, deployed, configured, and managed for cognitive, internet-based, and self-sustaining business processes.
2.5. Providing Scalability and Elasticity
The ability to add, remove, or reconfigure to handle hardware and software workflow without any change in usage can be done by cloud automation. And speaking of elasticity, cloud automation works wonders with user demands and needs by either increasing or decreasing the resources accordingly.
2.6. Security
The most important part of any cyber-related activities is the security access to the data and information. In that case, cloud automation protects and keeps track of all the data without any interference.
By default, cloud automation is designed with certain protocols and policies that enable a shield to confidential information, by double-checking that no data is easily encrypted.
2.7. Improved Resilience
Due to constant monitoring and management of the cloud, it is quite easy for it to address and solve potential problems as quickly as possible.
2.8. Smart Backup Feature
Backup is an important feature in any currently-running business, due to the huge amount of data in the backlog and frontlog. Considering this situation, cloud automation offers a hand in keeping a record of all the data. Although the system fails to reboot at times, cloud automation ascertains that the data is safely managed and can be looked upon whenever required.
3. Disadvantages of Cloud Automation
Continue reading to know the disadvantages of cloud automation before fully understanding “What is cloud automation?”
3.1. Lack of Transparency
Sometimes, the management of the cloud, resourcing, monitoring, and transferring data from one place to another for operational purposes would cause disruptions in the business. Subsequently, the company will lose its charge over its policies and data in certain circumstances.
3.2. Insecure Integration and APIs
The frequent use of cloud automation might lead to synchronizing data across various applications and services. However, some do not allow access and control over data, and thereby secure them from cyber-attacks. This can be resolved by using robust authorization protocols.
3.3. Data Governance and Sovereignty
It violates the policies of businesses/companies by not exhibiting the location of their data centers every time. Cloud automation is built in such a way that it follows regional data policies rather than companies. For instance, GDPR has to be followed by EU countries, when it comes to data centers.
3.4. Identity Theft
We all agree that cloud automation has security as one of its best advantages, however, from time to time, users may still be exposed to cyber-attacks. There are a few cases, in which hackers create a way for accessing data just as identical as that of the user; and thus get into the system in no time.
3.5. Cloud Misconfigurations
If your data is configured incorrectly, then sorry, your automation solutions are vulnerable to threats. Misconfigured solutions may lead to any third party accessing your digital resources.
3.6. Compliance Requirements
All businesses do have different requirements and demands. Initially, cloud automation is built with specific solutions, so these solutions can be lost; when cloud solutions are separately constructed according to a business’s requirements. A compliance requirement is a set of policies that have to be followed by services to satisfy their customers’ demands.
4. Know about the Cloud Automation with Example
So far, you have been given a glimpse of what cloud automation is theoretically. However, it is more of a real tactic that many big businesses use today to boost their potential, revenue, and agility.
On the other hand, a fine and easy example that might help you to understand cloud automation more practically is a Netflix subscription. Netflix is one of the users of DevOps, and cloud automation is a major part of DevOps.
DevOps is a software engineering tool that enhances an organization’s ability to deliver applications and services at high speed. Here DevOps teams up development and operations teams together for further agility and flexibility of the application.
For every update on the Netflix website, the developers ensure that the changes are saved and the code is scrutinized properly. In case, the code is acting out, users will be redirected to the earlier versions rather than disrupting their activities publicly.
Accordingly, Netflix is now regarded as a secured, high-speed, automatic-update entertainment platform; with over 238 million subscribers worldwide.
5. What Are the Tools for Cloud Automation
5.1. Resource Allocation or Autoscaling
This type of cloud automation deals with scaling up and down the resources according to the business’s needs.
5.2. Configurations
Templates and code can be used to define infrastructure configurations and to automate the implementation process for cloud-related services. Cloud services provide a variety of opportunities for integration.
5.3. Development and Deployment
For software to be updated automatically, automation is important. This type of cloud automation helps starting from scanning the application’s code to testing and finally deploying it.
5.4. Tagging
Tagging is an integral part of any cloud-based organization, as it helps in describing and identifying the resources across the company’s cloud environment. Tagging in cloud automation benefits the users by offering visibility into their cloud’s data and expenditures.
5.5. Security
This type helps companies in setting up their security control accesses and policies. This is a crucial tool of cloud automation as it restricts unauthorized access to an individual’s data by scrutinizing the cloud’s every move.
5.6. Logging and Monitoring
The logging control and monitoring of each step of a company’s move can be set by this tool of cloud automation. This also records data all down the line to look out for any strange activities that may occur in the future.
6. Final Thoughts
Cloud automation is a very substantial and jack-of-all-trades mechanism when it comes to cloud-based platforms. The solutions to the intricacy of infrastructure, network, application, security, and user administration; are a few illustrations of how they are handled efficiently with the help of cloud automation.
