As more companies move data and applications to the cloud, there is a growing need to ensure organizations have sound governance policies that guide the work. Cloud governance consists of the decision-making processes used, policies and criteria for planning, the creation of the architecture, and the acquisition, operation, and deployment of cloud computing.

As seen in the recent article, The Essential Guide to Storm-Free Cloud Migration, moving to cloud spaces provides for improved efficiency, reduced costs, and more effective customer service. Yet without the framework to govern, the organization is at risk.

Here is a closer look at five factors to consider regarding governance in the cloud.

1. What Cloud Governance Should Cover

Cloud governance needs to cover the full deployment lifecycle and create a clear process from selection to de-provisioning. It begins with guidelines for planning a new cloud project, including proposal process and evaluation (who and how).

Governance should cover four structural levels:

1. The infrastructure or virtualization platform
2. The operating system
3. The application or platform
4. The activity of the business and users on the platform

In each of those levels, the organization needs to consider four categories of governance:

1. Application lifecycle and deployment
2. Security and privacy
3. Management and monitoring
4. Operations and support

2. Develop Context

The cloud governance guidelines should be viewed as a subset of your IT governance framework. Within the broader IT framework, cloud governance is generally the tools and capabilities that establish a direction for cloud deployment that is consistent with business and stakeholder needs and goals.

Cloud governance is not cloud management. Governance establishes the system for the organization. Management uses the established system to execute on the direction the system sets forth.

3. Understand the Differences

Many executives at first may wonder at the nuanced differences between cloud and IT governance. Understanding the stark differences cloud computing provides helps illustrate why specific governance guidelines are needed. Consider the features and implications of the cloud:

• On-demand self-service. The ability to deploy and add resources rapidly requires agile change management and application deployment guidelines. These newly provisioned resources also need to be controlled, tracked, and budgeted.
• Broad network access. Increased access means authentication and identity management policies, configuration, and support need to reflect the data stored in cloud spaces. Those policies need to be coordinated with the cloud service provider, too.
• Resource pooling. Particularly critical in public cloud environments, security and data location needs to reflect the multiple users within a shared space.
• Rapid elasticity. The ease with which cloud spaces can grow means that demand management needs to be considered within a real-time context, not as a fixed, project-based spend. The near-limitless capacity for cloud storage and access can drive business strategy and finances when framed by proper cloud governance. 

4. Understand the risks

Not having a cloud governance policy has considerable disadvantages, including:

• Increased security risks
• Potential for proliferation or sprawl
• Lack of incentivization for consumers to consume cloud resources
• Shadow cloud processes

5. Create a Process for Developing Governance

Consider using a five-step process for creating a cloud governance framework. The steps are:

1. Create the team. Name a cloud governance implementation plan with clear responsibilities and outcomes.
2. Identify guiding principles. These principles will answer questions about what governance is to achieve, such as:
   1. Aligning cloud services with business objectives and stakeholder needs
   2. Appropriate communication and reporting
   3. An acquisition strategy that meets service and customer needs
   4. Agile processes that fully leverage cloud capabilities
   5. Risks are identified, planned for, and managed
   6. Compliance issues are raised and addressed
   7. Data and applications are secure
   8. Stakeholders are engaged
3. Establish an alignment framework to ensure that cloud objectives are measurable and fulfill short-term enterprise-wide operational objectives and long-term strategic goals.
4. Create the governance system. The system itself will include principles, policies, processes, and tools used. It also lays out the parts of the organization responsible for executing on the cloud deliverables, with clear roles and responsibilities, and proper training and education.
5. Implement. This phase is where the recommended changes to processes are operationalized, with clear definitions of success, proper training, and regular assessments of work and progress, including a review of the cloud governance guidance itself.

To ensure a proper cloud migration often means using a managed service provider that can provide a steady hand to guide organizations through the development of sound governance. At Denovo, we help companies develop the framework and support necessary to ensure seamless migrations.

To learn more about how Denovo can help your company create a structure that drives innovation and improves efficiency, contact us.

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