AWS cloud migration. The continuity and even the survival of any company's business operations heavily depend on the reliability of its IT infrastructure. However, in today's context, no on-premise architecture can fulfill the required conditions.
Table of contents
Embracing Cloud Solutions for Resource Optimization
Drivers for Cloud Migration
Business Outcomes after Migration
AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP)
MAP AWS Benefits
Migration Approach: Lift-and-Shift, Replatforming, or Refactoring
In conclusion
Presently, this challenge has become a major catalyst for significant transformations in how clients perceive and adopt cloud services. Particularly, internet-based businesses, financial institutions, logistics companies, and other enterprises are keenly experiencing the necessity to swiftly scale their computing capabilities while minimizing additional costs.
Embracing Cloud Solutions for Resource Optimization
Not too long ago, the concept of "cloud services" was novel and unfamiliar to the majority of companies. Businesses were accustomed to relying on their own infrastructure, considering it sufficiently reliable and secure. However, they encountered issues that were either extremely challenging or practically unsolvable within their local data centers. The primary problem was the fluctuating availability of computing resources, with the occasional excess or shortage. Accurately estimating the required resources necessitated lengthy planning, and various types of businesses faced periods of significantly increased service load throughout the year.
For example, take any well-known online store. Each new promotion, marketing campaign, or product discount triggered a substantial influx of users, putting considerable strain on the servers running the platform.
This presented two core challenges: first, rapidly scaling the service to handle the increased load, and second, dealing with resource constraints when physical resources were insufficient. Creating service copies and employing load balancers proved to be more efficient and feasible with a microservices architecture.
Nonetheless, addressing the resource scarcity issue was more intricate, as acquiring new servers quickly was not a viable option. In cases where long-term resource planning fell short, promptly adding capacity became almost an impossible task. Consequently, service unavailability and significant financial losses were common occurrences. Even in instances of precise resource planning, the majority of the acquired additional resources remained largely underutilized.
Here comes the flexibility of public clouds to the rescue. Utilizing cloud services allows companies to pay only for the resources they actually use within specific time frames, and they have the ability to scale their consumption up or down at any moment. People often try to compare the cost of purchasing a physical server with renting resources in the cloud based solely on CPU, RAM, and Storage metrics, which is not entirely accurate. Of course, in such cases, using the cloud may appear to be expensive. However, many factors are not taken into account in such a comparison, such as the cost of consumed electricity, the salaries of technical specialists who manage these resources, physical and fire safety, and so on.
📎 Ready to Accelerate Your Journey to the Cloud? Choose Gart as your trusted AWS migration partner for a seamless on-premise to AWS Cloud migration. Let's dive in!
Drivers for AWS Cloud Migration
Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in companies' demand for cloud services, which is entirely logical considering the advantages that companies gain through AWS cloud migration. Businesses identify the following drivers that motivate them to migrate:
Establishing a resilient infrastructure
Gaining quick access to computing power and services
High level of flexibility in infrastructure management
Optimization and scalability
Leveraging innovative solutions such as IoT, ML, AI
Complexity and duration of implementing hardware solutions
Cost reduction through the use of cloud technologies
In summary, companies aspire to grow rapidly, enhance user experiences, implement digital transformation tools, and modernize their businesses. They reinvest the cost savings from infrastructure into developing their companies further.
Nearly every migration is a challenging undertaking.
Business Outcomes after Migration
Cloud technologies offer companies a range of advantages, including:
Cost reduction compared to on-premise solutions (31%)
Increased staff productivity and quick onboarding (62%)
Enhanced flexibility in implementing new services (75%)
However, migration projects for large companies are complex decisions that require a comprehensive approach, combining the application of specific services, methodologies, and expertise in chosen cloud technologies. Often, executing migration projects without proper management methodologies significantly complicates the process and substantially extends the project timelines.
At Gart, we transform the migration process into a well-managed and conscious journey by offering a proven methodology, as a leader among cloud providers, integrating technical solutions with the company's business objectives, and enhancing the competence of clients when working in cloud environments.
Moving forward, we will explore how to achieve a fast and effective migration to Amazon Web Services.
📎 Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the limitless possibilities of AWS Cloud with Gart by your side!. Contact Us
AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP)
For any organization, the key performance indicators for the successful implementation of new technologies typically revolve around stability, high availability, and cost-effectiveness. Hence, it is crucial to assess the company's IT infrastructure and business processes' readiness for cloud migration. To facilitate this process, AWS offers a specialized program called the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP).
It is important to note that this program may not be applicable to all clients. For instance, migrating a single virtual server is unlikely to meet the requirements of this offer. However, for medium and large-scale companies seriously considering the adoption of cloud services, this program will be highly beneficial.
In addition to the comprehensive approach to AWS cloud migration, the MAP program provides clients with a significant discount on resource usage for a duration of three years. The program comprises three main stages:
Assessment
Mobilization (testing)
Migration and modernization.
Assessment
During the assessment stage, the officially authorized AWS MAP partner conducts an inventory of the client's existing systems to develop a conceptual architecture for their migration to the cloud. A comprehensive business case is created, outlining how the infrastructure will look after the migration, the estimated cost for the client, and when it is advisable to transition from virtual machines to services. All client requirements regarding availability, resilience, and security are taken into account. Additionally, an evaluation of existing licenses, such as Oracle or Microsoft, is performed to determine whether it is beneficial to migrate them to the cloud or opt for renting them directly from the platform.
As a result, the client receives exhaustive information about migration possibilities and potential cost savings in the cloud. In some cases, these savings can reach up to 70%. Typically, the assessment stage takes 3-6 weeks, depending on the project's complexity.
Mobilization
During the testing stage, a test environment is deployed in the cloud based on the developed architecture to verify the proposed solutions evaluated during the assessment phase.
Migration and modernization
After conducting all the tests, we move on to the final stage of the AWS MAP. At this stage, the production infrastructure is deployed in the cloud, and its optimization takes place. However, it's essential to continuously analyze and optimize the infrastructure on a regular basis.
MAP AWS Benefits
The AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) offers several benefits, including:
Comprehensive Assessment
Clients receive a thorough evaluation of their IT infrastructure and business processes to assess readiness for AWS cloud migration.
Cost Savings
The program provides significant discounts on resource usage for three years, helping clients save costs during their migration journey.
Conceptual Architecture
A well-defined conceptual architecture is developed for the cloud migration, outlining the post-migration infrastructure and estimated costs.
License Optimization
Existing licenses, such as Oracle or Microsoft, are evaluated to determine the most cost-effective approach for their migration or rental on the cloud platform.
Test Environment
A test environment is set up in the cloud to validate the proposed solutions and ensure a smooth migration process.
Production Deployment and Optimization
After successful testing, the production infrastructure is deployed in the cloud and continuously optimized for performance and efficiency.
Regular Analysis and Optimization
The MAP ensures that infrastructure analysis and optimization are conducted regularly to maintain peak performance and cost-effectiveness.
Migration Approach: Lift-and-Shift, Replatforming, or Refactoring
Selecting the right migration approach is a crucial step in the cloud migration process. There are three primary migration approaches to consider:
Lift-and-Shift
This approach involves migrating applications and workloads to the cloud with minimal changes. It is a quick and straightforward method but may not fully leverage the benefits of cloud-native services.
Replatforming
Replatforming, also known as lift-tinker-and-shift, involves making some optimizations and adjustments to the applications to take advantage of cloud services while minimizing significant code changes.
Refactoring
This approach involves rearchitecting and reengineering applications to be cloud-native, fully leveraging the benefits of cloud services, scalability, and agility.
The selection of the migration approach depends on factors such as application complexity, business goals, cost considerations, and the desired level of cloud-native functionality. Each approach has its trade-offs, and the right choice will depend on the specific needs and priorities of the organization's cloud migration journey.
In Conclusion: AWS Cloud Migration
If your organization is considering migrating to AWS and wants a smooth and efficient migration process, look no further than Gart. We can provide you with a comprehensive assessment, a well-defined migration plan, and cost-effective solutions. Whether you choose the lift-and-shift, replatforming, or refactoring approach, our team will guide you every step of the way to ensure a successful cloud migration. Take the next step towards unlocking the full potential of AWS and contact Gart today for a seamless transition to the cloud.
From sensitive data storage to critical communication networks, the integrity and security of these digital foundations are paramount. This is where IT infrastructure security plays a crucial role.
Table of contents
Common Threats to IT Infrastructure Security
Real-World Case Study: How Gart Transformed IT Infrastructure Security for a Client
Best Practices for IT Infrastructure Security
Securing Network Infrastructure
Securing Server Infrastructure
Cloud Infrastructure Security
Incident Response and Recovery
Emerging Trends and Technologies in IT Infrastructure Security
IT infrastructure security encompasses a comprehensive set of measures and practices designed to protect the hardware, software, networks, and data that constitute an organization's technology ecosystem. Its significance cannot be overstated, as the ever-evolving threat landscape poses significant risks to businesses of all sizes and industries.
With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, it is imperative for organizations to recognize the importance of fortifying their IT infrastructure against potential breaches, intrusions, and disruptions. The consequences of inadequate security measures can be detrimental, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and legal ramifications.
Whether you are a small startup or a multinational corporation, understanding and implementing robust IT infrastructure security practices is essential for maintaining the trust of your customers, safeguarding critical data, and ensuring smooth business operations.
IT Infrastructure Security Table
AspectDescriptionThreatsCommon threats include malware/ransomware, phishing/social engineering, insider threats, DDoS attacks, data breaches/theft, and vulnerabilities in software/hardware.Best PracticesImplementing strong access controls, regularly updating software/hardware, conducting security audits/risk assessments, encrypting sensitive data, using firewalls/intrusion detection systems, educating employees, and regularly backing up data/testing disaster recovery plans.Network SecuritySecuring wireless networks, implementing VPNs, network segmentation/isolation, and monitoring/logging network activities.Server SecurityHardening server configurations, implementing strong authentication/authorization, regularly updating software/firmware, and monitoring server logs/activities.Cloud SecurityChoosing a reputable cloud service provider, implementing strong access controls/encryption, monitoring/auditing cloud infrastructure, and backing up data stored in the cloud.Incident Response/RecoveryDeveloping an incident response plan, detecting/responding to security incidents, conducting post-incident analysis/implementing improvements, and testing incident response/recovery procedures.Emerging Trends/TechnologiesArtificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) in security, Zero Trust security model, blockchain technology for secure transactions, and IoT security considerations.Here's a table summarizing key aspects of IT infrastructure security
Common Threats to IT Infrastructure Security
Understanding common threats to IT infrastructure security is crucial for organizations to implement appropriate measures and defenses. By staying informed about emerging attack vectors and adopting proactive security practices, businesses can strengthen their resilience against these threats and protect their valuable digital assets.
Malware and Ransomware Attacks
Malware and ransomware attacks present considerable risks to the security of IT infrastructure. Malicious programs like viruses, worms, and Trojan horses can infiltrate systems through diverse vectors such as email attachments, infected websites, or software downloads. Once within the infrastructure, malware can compromise sensitive data, disrupt operations, and even grant unauthorized access to malicious actors. Ransomware, a distinct form of malware, encrypts vital files and extorts a ransom for their decryption, potentially resulting in financial losses and operational disruptions.
Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks
Phishing and social engineering attacks target individuals within an organization, exploiting their trust and manipulating them into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. These attacks often come in the form of deceptive emails, messages, or phone calls, impersonating legitimate entities. By tricking employees into sharing passwords, clicking on malicious links, or disclosing confidential data, cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to the IT infrastructure and carry out further malicious activities.
Insider Threats
Insider threats refer to security risks that arise from within an organization. They can occur due to intentional actions by disgruntled employees or unintentional mistakes made by well-meaning staff members. Insider threats can involve unauthorized data access, theft of sensitive information, sabotage, or even the introduction of malware into the infrastructure. These threats are challenging to detect, as insiders often have legitimate access to critical systems and may exploit their privileges to carry out malicious actions.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks
DDoS attacks aim to disrupt the availability of IT infrastructure by overwhelming systems with a flood of traffic or requests. Attackers utilize networks of compromised computers, known as botnets, to generate massive amounts of traffic directed at a target infrastructure. This surge in traffic overwhelms the network, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate requests, causing service disruptions and downtime. DDoS attacks can impact businesses financially, tarnish their reputation, and impede normal operations.
Data Breaches and Theft
Data breaches and theft transpire when unauthorized individuals acquire entry to sensitive information housed within the IT infrastructure. This encompasses personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, intellectual property, and trade secrets. Perpetrators may exploit software vulnerabilities, weak access controls, or inadequate encryption to infiltrate the infrastructure and extract valuable data. The ramifications of data breaches are far-reaching and encompass legal liabilities, financial repercussions, and harm to the organization's reputation.
Vulnerabilities in Software and Hardware
Software and hardware vulnerabilities introduce weaknesses in the IT infrastructure that can be exploited by attackers. These vulnerabilities can arise from coding errors, misconfigurations, or outdated software and firmware. Attackers actively search for and exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, or perform other malicious activities. Regular patching, updates, and vulnerability assessments are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring a secure IT infrastructure
Real-World Case Study: How Gart Transformed IT Infrastructure Security for a Client
The entertainment software platform SoundCampaign approached Gart with a twofold challenge: optimizing their AWS costs and automating their CI/CD processes. Additionally, they were experiencing conflicts and miscommunication between their development and testing teams, which hindered their productivity and caused inefficiencies within their IT infrastructure.
As a trusted DevOps company, Gart devised a comprehensive solution that addressed both the cost optimization and automation needs, while also improving the client's IT infrastructure security and fostering better collaboration within their teams.
To streamline the client's CI/CD processes, Gart introduced an automated pipeline using modern DevOps tools. We leveraged technologies such as Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes to enable seamless code integration, automated testing, and deployment. This eliminated manual errors, reduced deployment time, and enhanced overall efficiency.
Recognizing the importance of IT infrastructure security, Gart implemented robust security measures to minimize risks and improve collaboration within the client's teams. By implementing secure CI/CD pipelines and automated security checks, we ensured a clear and traceable code deployment process. This clarity minimized conflicts between developers and testers, as it became evident who made changes and when. Additionally, we implemented strict access controls, encryption mechanisms, and continuous monitoring to enhance overall security posture.
Are you concerned about the security of your IT infrastructure? Protect your valuable digital assets by partnering with Gart, your trusted IT security provider.
Best Practices for IT Infrastructure Security
It is important to adopt a holistic approach to security, combining technical measures with user awareness and regular assessments to maintain a robust and resilient IT infrastructure
Strong access controls and authentication mechanisms
Regular software and hardware updates and patches
Monitoring and auditing of network activities
Encryption of sensitive data
Implementation of firewalls and intrusion detection systems
Security awareness training for employees
Regular data backups and testing of disaster recovery plans
Implementing robust access controls and authentication mechanisms is crucial to ensuring that only authorized individuals can access critical systems and resources. This involves implementing strong password policies, utilizing multi-factor authentication, and effectively managing user access. By enforcing these measures, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect against potential security breaches.
Regularly updating software and hardware is essential to address known vulnerabilities and maintain the security of systems against emerging threats. Timely application of patches and updates helps mitigate the risk of exploitation and strengthens the overall security posture of the IT infrastructure.
Continuous monitoring and auditing of network activities play a pivotal role in detecting suspicious behavior and potential security incidents. By implementing advanced monitoring tools and security information and event management (SIEM) systems, organizations can proactively identify and respond to threats in real-time, minimizing the impact of security breaches.
Data encryption is a fundamental practice for safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access and interception. Employing encryption protocols for data at rest and in transit ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the data, providing an additional layer of protection against potential data breaches.
Firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS) are critical components of network security. Firewalls establish barriers between networks, preventing unauthorized access and blocking malicious traffic. IDS monitors network traffic for suspicious activities and alerts administrators to potential threats, allowing for immediate response and mitigation.
Educating employees about security best practices and increasing awareness of potential risks are essential in creating a strong security culture. Conducting regular security awareness training empowers employees to recognize and mitigate security threats, such as phishing attacks and social engineering attempts, thereby strengthening the overall security posture of the organization.
Regular data backups and rigorous testing of disaster recovery plans are crucial for ensuring business continuity and data recoverability. Performing scheduled data backups and verifying their integrity guarantees that critical data can be restored in the event of a data loss incident. Additionally, testing and updating disaster recovery plans periodically ensures their effectiveness and readiness to mitigate the impact of any potential disruptions.
Securing Network Infrastructure
By securing wireless networks, implementing VPNs, employing network segmentation and isolation, and monitoring network activities, organizations can significantly enhance the security of their network infrastructure. These measures help prevent unauthorized access, protect data in transit, limit the impact of potential breaches, and enable proactive detection and response to security incidents.
Securing wireless networks is essential to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data. Organizations should employ strong encryption protocols, such as WPA2 or WPA3, to secure Wi-Fi connections. Changing default passwords, disabling broadcasting of the network's SSID, and using MAC address filtering can further enhance wireless network security. Regularly updating wireless access points with the latest firmware patches is also crucial to address any known vulnerabilities.
Implementing virtual private networks (VPNs) provides a secure and encrypted connection for remote access to the network infrastructure. VPNs create a private tunnel between the user's device and the network, ensuring that data transmitted over public networks remains confidential. By utilizing VPN technology, organizations can protect sensitive data and communications from eavesdropping or interception by unauthorized individuals.
Network segmentation and isolation involve dividing the network infrastructure into separate segments to restrict access and contain potential security breaches. By segmenting the network based on function, department, or user roles, organizations can limit lateral movement for attackers and minimize the impact of a compromised system. Each segment can have its own access controls, firewalls, and security policies, increasing overall network security.
Monitoring and logging network activities are crucial for detecting and responding to potential security incidents in a timely manner. By implementing network monitoring tools and systems, organizations can track and analyze network traffic for any suspicious or malicious activities. Additionally, maintaining detailed logs of network events and activities helps in forensic investigations, incident response, and identifying patterns of unauthorized access or breaches.
Our team of experts specializes in securing networks, servers, cloud environments, and more. Contact us today to fortify your defenses and ensure the resilience of your IT infrastructure.
Server Infrastructure
Hardening server configurations involves implementing security best practices and removing unnecessary services, protocols, and features to minimize the attack surface. This includes disabling unused ports, limiting access permissions, and configuring firewalls to allow only necessary network traffic. By hardening server configurations, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect against common vulnerabilities.
Implementing strong authentication and authorization mechanisms is crucial for securing server infrastructure. This involves using complex and unique passwords, enforcing multi-factor authentication, and implementing role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive resources. Strong authentication and authorization mechanisms help prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining privileged access to servers and sensitive data.
Regularly updating server software and firmware is essential for addressing known vulnerabilities and ensuring that servers are protected against emerging threats. Organizations should stay current with patches and security updates released by server vendors, including operating systems, applications, and firmware. Timely updates help safeguard servers from potential exploits and protect the infrastructure from security breaches.
Monitoring server logs and activities is a critical security practice for detecting suspicious or malicious behavior. By implementing robust logging mechanisms, organizations can capture and analyze server logs to identify potential security incidents, anomalies, or unauthorized access attempts. Regularly reviewing server logs, coupled with real-time monitoring, enables proactive detection and timely response to security threats.
Cloud Infrastructure Security
By choosing a reputable cloud service provider, implementing strong access controls and encryption, regularly monitoring and auditing cloud infrastructure, and backing up data stored in the cloud, organizations can enhance the security of their cloud infrastructure. These measures help protect sensitive data, maintain data availability, and ensure the overall integrity and resilience of cloud-based systems and applications.
Choosing a reputable and secure cloud service provider is a critical first step in ensuring cloud infrastructure security. Organizations should thoroughly assess potential providers based on their security certifications, compliance with industry standards, data protection measures, and track record for security incidents. Selecting a trusted provider with robust security practices helps establish a solid foundation for securing data and applications in the cloud.
Implementing strong access controls and encryption for data in the cloud is crucial to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches. This includes using strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure that only authorized users can access cloud resources. Additionally, sensitive data should be encrypted both in transit and at rest within the cloud environment to safeguard it from potential interception or compromise.
Regular monitoring and auditing of cloud infrastructure is vital to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. Organizations should implement tools and processes to monitor cloud resources, network traffic, and user activities for any suspicious or anomalous behavior. Regular audits should also be conducted to assess the effectiveness of security controls, identify potential vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance with security policies and regulations.
Backing up data stored in the cloud is essential for ensuring business continuity and data recoverability in the event of data loss, accidental deletion, or cloud service disruptions. Organizations should implement regular data backups and verify their integrity to mitigate the risk of permanent data loss. It is important to establish backup procedures and test data recovery processes to ensure that critical data can be restored effectively from the cloud backups.
Incident Response and Recovery
A well-prepared and practiced incident response capability enables timely response, minimizes the impact of incidents, and improves overall resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Developing an Incident Response Plan
Developing an incident response plan is crucial for effectively handling security incidents in a structured and coordinated manner. The plan should outline the roles and responsibilities of the incident response team, the procedures for detecting and reporting incidents, and the steps to be taken to mitigate the impact and restore normal operations. It should also include communication protocols, escalation procedures, and coordination with external stakeholders, such as law enforcement or third-party vendors.
Detecting and Responding to Security Incidents
Prompt detection and response to security incidents are vital to minimize damage and prevent further compromise. Organizations should deploy security monitoring tools and establish real-time alerting mechanisms to identify potential security incidents. Upon detection, the incident response team should promptly assess the situation, contain the incident, gather evidence, and initiate appropriate remediation steps to mitigate the impact and restore security.
Conducting Post-Incident Analysis and Implementing Improvements
After the resolution of a security incident, conducting a post-incident analysis is crucial to understand the root causes, identify vulnerabilities, and learn from the incident. This analysis helps organizations identify weaknesses in their security posture, processes, or technologies, and implement improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future. Lessons learned should be documented and incorporated into updated incident response plans and security measures.
Testing Incident Response and Recovery Procedures
Regularly testing incident response and recovery procedures is essential to ensure their effectiveness and identify any gaps or shortcomings. Organizations should conduct simulated exercises, such as tabletop exercises or full-scale incident response drills, to assess the readiness and efficiency of their incident response teams and procedures. Testing helps uncover potential weaknesses, validate response plans, and refine incident management processes, ensuring a more robust and efficient response during real incidents.
Emerging Trends and Technologies in IT Infrastructure Security
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Security
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are emerging trends in IT infrastructure security. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data, detect patterns, and identify anomalies or potential security threats in real-time. AI and ML can be used for threat intelligence, behavior analytics, user authentication, and automated incident response. By leveraging AI and ML in security, organizations can enhance their ability to detect and respond to sophisticated cyber threats more effectively.
Zero Trust Security Model
The Zero Trust security model is gaining popularity as a comprehensive approach to IT infrastructure security. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security models, Zero Trust assumes that no user or device should be inherently trusted, regardless of their location or network. It emphasizes strong authentication, continuous monitoring, and strict access controls based on the principle of "never trust, always verify." Implementing a Zero Trust security model helps organizations reduce the risk of unauthorized access and improve overall security posture.
Blockchain Technology for Secure Transactions
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing secure transactions by providing a decentralized and tamper-resistant ledger. Its cryptographic mechanisms ensure the integrity and immutability of transaction data, reducing the reliance on intermediaries and enhancing trust. Blockchain can be used in various industries, such as finance, supply chain, and healthcare, to secure transactions, verify identities, and protect sensitive data. By leveraging blockchain technology, organizations can enhance security, transparency, and trust in their transactions.
Internet of Things (IoT) Security Considerations
As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to proliferate, securing IoT devices and networks is becoming a critical challenge. IoT devices often have limited computing resources and may lack robust security features, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Organizations need to consider implementing strong authentication, encryption, and access controls for IoT devices. They should also ensure that IoT networks are separate from critical infrastructure networks to mitigate potential risks. Proactive monitoring, patch management, and regular updates are crucial to address IoT security vulnerabilities and protect against potential IoT-related threats.
These advancements enable organizations to proactively address evolving threats, enhance data protection, and improve overall resilience in the face of a dynamic and complex cybersecurity landscape.
In the relentless pursuit of success, businesses often find themselves caught in the whirlwind of IT infrastructure management. The demands of keeping up with ever-evolving technologies, maintaining robust security, and optimizing operations can feel like an uphill battle. But what if I told you there's a liberating solution that could lift this weight off your shoulders and propel your organization to new heights?
Table of contents
Definition of Infrastructure Outsourcing
Benefits of IT Infrastructure Outsourcing
The Process for Outsourcing IT Infrastructure
Evaluating the Outsourcing Vendor: Ensuring Reliability and Compatibility
Why Ukraine is an Attractive Outsourcing Destination for IT Infrastructure
Long Story Short
Definition of Infrastructure Outsourcing
IT infrastructure outsourcing refers to the practice of delegating the management and operation of an organization's information technology (IT) infrastructure to external service providers. Instead of maintaining and managing the infrastructure in-house, companies opt to outsource these responsibilities to specialized third-party vendors.
IT infrastructure includes various components such as servers, networks, storage systems, data centers, and other hardware and software resources essential for supporting and running an organization's IT operations. By outsourcing their IT infrastructure, companies can leverage the expertise and resources of external providers to handle tasks like hardware procurement, installation, configuration, maintenance, security, and ongoing management.
Benefits of IT Infrastructure Outsourcing
Outsourcing IT infrastructure brings numerous benefits that contribute to business growth and success.
Manage cloud complexity
Over the past two years, there’s been a surge in cloud commitment, with more than 86% of companies reporting an increase in cloud initiatives.
Implementing cloud initiatives requires specialized skill sets and a fresh approach to achieve comprehensive transformation. Often, IT departments face skill gaps on the technical front, lacking experience with the specific tools employed by their chosen cloud provider.
Moreover, many organizations lack the expertise needed to develop a cloud strategy that fully harnesses the potential of leading platforms such as AWS or Microsoft Azure, utilizing their native tools and services.
Experienced providers of infrastructure management possess the necessary expertise to aid enterprises in selecting and configuring cloud infrastructure that can effectively meet and swiftly adapt to evolving business requirements.
Access to Specialized Expertise
Outsourcing IT infrastructure allows businesses to tap into the expertise of professionals who specialize in managing complex IT environments. As a CTO, I understand the importance of having a skilled team that can handle diverse technology domains, from network management and system administration to cybersecurity and cloud computing. By outsourcing, organizations can leverage the specialized knowledge and experience of professionals who stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices. This expertise brings immense value in optimizing infrastructure performance, ensuring scalability, and implementing robust security measures.
"Gart finished migration according to schedule, made automation for infrastructure provisioning, and set up governance for new infrastructure. They continue to support us with Azure. They are professional and have a very good technical experience"
Under NDA, Software Development Company
Enhanced Focus on Core Competencies
Outsourcing IT infrastructure liberates businesses from the burden of managing complex technical operations, allowing them to focus on their core competencies. I firmly believe that organizations thrive when they can allocate their resources towards activities that directly contribute to their strategic goals. By entrusting the management and maintenance of IT infrastructure to a trusted partner like Gart, businesses can redirect their internal talent and expertise towards innovation, product development, and customer-centric initiatives.
For example, SoundCampaign, a company focused on their core business in the music industry, entrusted Gart with their infrastructure needs.
We upgraded the product infrastructure, ensuring that it was scalable, reliable, and aligned with industry best practices. Gart also assisted in migrating the compute operations to the cloud, leveraging its expertise to optimize performance and cost-efficiency.
One key initiative undertaken by Gart was the implementation of an automated CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipeline using GitHub. This automation streamlined the software development and deployment processes for SoundCampaign, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency. It allowed the SoundCampaign team to focus on their core competencies of building and enhancing their social networking platform, while Gart handled the intricacies of the infrastructure and DevOps tasks.
"They completed the project on time and within the planned budget. Switching to the new infrastructure was even more accessible and seamless than we expected."
Nadav Peleg, Founder & CEO at SoundCampaign
Cost Savings and Budget Predictability
Managing an in-house IT infrastructure can be a costly endeavor. By outsourcing, businesses can reduce expenses associated with hardware and software procurement, maintenance, upgrades, and the hiring and training of IT staff.
As an outsourcing provider, Gart has already made the necessary investments in infrastructure, tools, and skilled personnel, enabling us to provide cost-effective solutions to our clients. Moreover, outsourcing IT infrastructure allows businesses to benefit from predictable budgeting, as costs are typically agreed upon in advance through service level agreements (SLAs).
"We were amazed by their prompt turnaround and persistency in fixing things! The Gart's team were able to support all our requirements, and were able to help us recover from a serious outage."
Ivan Goh, CEO & Co-Founder at BeyondRisk
Scalability and Flexibility
Business needs can change rapidly, requiring organizations to scale their IT infrastructure up or down accordingly. With outsourcing, companies have the flexibility to quickly adapt to these changing requirements. For example, Gart's clients have access to scalable resources that can accommodate their evolving needs.
Whether it's expanding server capacity, optimizing network bandwidth, or adding storage, outsourcing providers can swiftly adjust the infrastructure to support business growth or handle seasonal variations. This scalability and flexibility provide businesses with the agility necessary to respond to market dynamics and seize growth opportunities.
Robust Security Measures
Data security is a paramount concern for businesses in today's digital landscape. With outsourcing, organizations can benefit from the security expertise and technologies provided by the outsourcing partner. As the CTO of Gart, I prioritize the implementation of robust security measures, including advanced threat detection systems, data encryption, access controls, and proactive monitoring. We ensure that our clients' sensitive information remains protected from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
"The result was exactly as I expected: analysis, documentation, preferred technology stack etc. I believe these guys should grow up via expanding resources. All things I've seen were very good."
Grigoriy Legenchenko, CTO at Health-Tech Company
Piyush Tripathi About the Benefits of Outsourcing Infrastructure
Looking for answers to the question of IT infrastructure outsourcing pros and cons, we decided to seek the expert opinions on the matter. We reached out to Piyush Tripathi, who has extensive experience in infrastructure outsourcing.
Introducing the Expert
Piyush Tripathi is a highly experienced IT professional with over 10 years of industry experience. For the past ten years, he has been knee-deep in designing and maintaining database systems for significant projects. In 2020, he joined the core messaging team at Twilio and found himself at the heart of the fight against COVID-19. He played a crucial role in preparing the Twilio platform for the global vaccination program, utilizing innovative solutions to ensure scalability, compliance, and easy integration with cloud providers.
What are the potential benefits of outsourcing infrastructure?
High scale: I was leading Twilio covid 19 platform to support contact tracing. This was a fairly quick announcement as state of New York was planning to use it to help contact trace millions of people in the state and store their contact details. We needed to scale and scale fast. Doing it internally would have been very challanaging as demand could have spiked and our response could not have been swift enough to respond. Outsourcing it to cloud provider helped mitigate that, we opted for automatic scaling which added resources in infra as soon as demand increased. This gave us peace of mind that even when we were sleeping, people would continue to get contacted and vaccinated.
What expertise and capabilities would you can lose or gain by outsourcing our infrastructure?
Loose:
Infra domain knowledge: if you outsource infra, your team could loose knowledge of setting up this kind of technology. for example, during covid 19, I moved the contact database from local to cloud so overtime I anticipate that next teams would loose context of setting up and troubleshooting database internals since they will only use it as a consumer.
Control: since you outsource infra, data, business logic and access control will reside in the provider. in rare cases, for example using this data for ML training or advertising analysis, you may not know how your data or information is being used.
Gain:
Lower maintenance: since you don't have to keep an whole team, you can reduce maintenance overhead. For example during my project in 2020, I was trying to increase adoption of Sendgrid SDK program, we were able to send 50 Billion emails without much maintenance hassle. The reason was that I was working on moving a lot of data pipelines, MTA components to cloud and it reduce a lot of maintenance.
High scale: this is the primary benefits, traditional infrastructure needs people to plan and provision infrastructure in advance. when I lead the project to move our database to cloud, it was able to support storing huge amount of data. In addition, it would with automatically scale up and down depending on the demand. This was huge benefit for us because we didn't have to worry that our provisioned infra may not be enough for sudden spikes in the demand. Due to this, we were able to help over 100+ million people worldwide vaccinate
What are the potential implications for internal IT team if they choose to outsource infrastructure?
Reduced Headcount: Outsourcing infrastructure could potentially decrease the need for staff dedicated to its maintenance and control, thus leading to a reduction in headcount within the internal IT team.
Increased Collaboration: If issues arise, the internal IT team will need to collaborate with the external vendor and abide by their policies. This process can create a new dynamic of interaction that the team must adapt to.
Limited Control: The IT team may face additional challenges in debugging issues or responding to audits due to the increased bureaucracy introduced by the vendor. This lack of direct control may impact the team's efficiency and response times.
The Process for Outsourcing IT Infrastructure
Gart aims to deliver a tailored and efficient outsourcing solution for the client's IT infrastructure needs. The process encompasses thorough analysis, strategic planning, implementation, and ongoing support, all aimed at optimizing the client's IT operations and driving their business success.
Free Consultation
Project Technical Audit
Realizing Project Targets
Implementation
Documentation Updates & Reports
Maintenance & Tech Support
The process begins with a free consultation where Gart engages with the client to understand their specific IT infrastructure requirements, challenges, and goals. This initial discussion helps establish a foundation for collaboration and allows Gart to gather essential information for the project.
Than Gart conducts a comprehensive project technical audit. This involves a detailed analysis of the client's existing IT infrastructure, systems, and processes. The audit helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, providing valuable insights to tailor the outsourcing solution.
Based on the consultation and technical audit, we here at Gart work closely with the client to define clear project targets. This includes establishing specific objectives, timelines, and deliverables that align with the client's business objectives and IT requirements.
Implementation phase involves deploying the necessary resources, tools, and technologies to execute the outsourcing solution effectively. Our experienced professionals manage the transition process, ensuring a seamless integration of the outsourced IT infrastructure into the client's operations.
Throughout the outsourcing process, Gart maintains comprehensive documentation to track progress, changes, and updates. Regular reports are generated and shared with the client, providing insights into project milestones, performance metrics, and any relevant recommendations. This transparent approach allows for effective communication and ensures that the project stays on track.
Gart provides ongoing maintenance and technical support to ensure the smooth operation of the outsourced IT infrastructure. This includes proactive monitoring, troubleshooting, and regular maintenance activities. In case of any issues or concerns, Gart's dedicated support team is available to provide timely assistance and resolve technical challenges.
Evaluating the Outsourcing Vendor: Ensuring Reliability and Compatibility
When evaluating an outsourcing vendor, it is important to conduct thorough research to ensure their reliability and suitability for your IT infrastructure outsourcing needs. Here are some steps to follow during the vendor checkup process:
Google Search
Begin by conducting a Google search of the outsourcing vendor's name. Explore their website, social media profiles, and any relevant online presence. A well-established outsourcing vendor should have a professional website that showcases their services, expertise, and client testimonials.
Industry Platforms and Directories
Check reputable industry platforms and directories such as Clutch and GoodFirms. These platforms provide verified reviews and ratings from clients who have worked with the outsourcing vendor. Assess their overall rating, read client reviews, and evaluate their performance based on past projects.
Freelance Platforms
If the vendor operates on freelance platforms like Upwork, review their profile and client feedback. Assess their ratings, completion rates, and feedback from previous clients. This can provide insights into their professionalism, technical expertise, and adherence to deadlines.
Online Presence
Explore the vendor's presence on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Assess their activity, engagement, and the quality of content they share. A strong online presence indicates their commitment to transparency and communication.
Industry Certifications and Partnerships
Check if the vendor holds any relevant industry certifications, partnerships, or affiliations.
By following these steps, you can gather comprehensive information about the outsourcing vendor's reputation, credibility, and capabilities. It is important to perform due diligence to ensure that the vendor aligns with your business objectives, possesses the necessary expertise, and can be relied upon to successfully manage your IT infrastructure outsourcing requirements.
Why Ukraine is an Attractive Outsourcing Destination for IT Infrastructure
Ukraine has emerged as a prominent player in the global IT industry. With a thriving technology sector, it has become a preferred destination for outsourcing IT infrastructure needs.
Ukraine is renowned for its vast pool of highly skilled IT professionals. The country produces a significant number of IT graduates each year, equipped with strong technical expertise and a solid educational background. Ukrainian developers and engineers are well-versed in various technologies, making them capable of handling complex IT infrastructure projects with ease.
One of the major advantages of outsourcing IT infrastructure to Ukraine is the cost-effectiveness it offers. Compared to Western European and North American countries, the cost of IT services in Ukraine is significantly lower while maintaining high quality. This cost advantage enables businesses to optimize their IT budgets and allocate resources to other critical areas.
English proficiency is widespread among Ukrainian IT professionals, making communication and collaboration seamless for international clients. This proficiency eliminates language barriers and ensures effective knowledge transfer and project management. Additionally, Ukraine shares cultural compatibility with Western countries, enabling smoother integration and understanding of business practices.
Long Story Short
IT infrastructure outsourcing empowers organizations to streamline their IT operations, reduce costs, enhance performance, and leverage external expertise, allowing them to focus on their core competencies and achieve their strategic goals.
Ready to unlock the full potential of your IT infrastructure through outsourcing? Reach out to us and let's embark on a transformative journey together!
