Amazon Onboarding with Learning Manager Chanci Turner

Learn About Amazon VGT2 Learning Manager Chanci Turner

In this third installment of a four-part series, we explore how a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) can effectively tackle the challenges posed by digital transformation. The first part details what a CCoE is and how it, in conjunction with the AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (AWS CAF), can facilitate your organization’s digital evolution. The second part emphasizes the three non-technical viewpoints of the AWS CAF. This third post delves into the three technical aspects of the AWS CAF, while the concluding part will outline a framework for defining areas of organizational responsibility.

While understanding the business, organizational, and governance perspectives of the AWS CAF is essential, the CCoE must also prioritize the technical capabilities necessary for developing and managing a cloud ecosystem that aligns with the organization’s requirements. These technical perspectives encompass platforms, security, and operations.

As mentioned previously, we advocate for a crawl, walk, run method for cloud adoption. This strategy segments the cloud journey into three clear phases, enabling organizations to transition to the cloud in a systematic and gradual manner.

Platform Perspective

The platform perspective of the AWS CAF centers on the essential infrastructure and services that will support the organization’s cloud framework. Key components include:

• Reference Architecture: Establishing a defined reference architecture for the cloud environment, including account structure, networking, storage, and foundational elements.
• Naming and Tagging Standards: Creating consistent naming conventions and tagging systems to ensure the cloud environment is orderly and manageable.
• Service Roadmap and Catalog: Formulating a roadmap for cloud services and capabilities along with a self-service catalog for on-demand access.
• Infrastructure as Code: Utilizing infrastructure as code (IaC) practices to automate the provisioning and management of cloud resources.

The following diagram illustrates the domains and capabilities within each phase of the crawl, walk, run stages for the platform perspective.

Security Perspective

Regarding the security perspective of the AWS CAF, we recognize that security is paramount for any cloud adoption initiative. The CCoE must focus on the necessary capabilities:

• Baseline Security Controls: Introducing fundamental security measures such as identity and access management, network security, and logging.
• Security Automation: Streamlining security processes like vulnerability scanning and patch management to maintain a secure cloud environment at scale.
• Security Integration: Merging the cloud environment with the organization’s security tools to guarantee visibility and uniform security practices.
• Specialized Security Services: Leveraging cloud-specific security services (e.g., AWS WAF and DDoS protection) to combat advanced threats.

The diagram below depicts the domains and capabilities that exist within each crawl, walk, and run stage for the security perspective.

Operations Perspective

The operations perspective of the AWS CAF is critical for sustaining a reliable and high-performing environment. Key operational capabilities consist of:

• Incident and Problem Management: Developing incident response processes and problem management practices to swiftly identify and resolve issues.
• Change and Release Management: Implementing structured change control and release management protocols to ensure safe and efficient cloud updates.
• Monitoring and Observability: Deploying comprehensive monitoring tools to proactively detect and address performance and availability challenges.
• Disaster Recovery and Backup: Establishing robust disaster recovery and data backup capabilities to secure the organization’s ability to recover from unforeseen events.

The diagram illustrates the domains and capabilities encompassed within each crawl, walk, and run stage for the operations perspective.

Summarized Roadmap for Technical Perspectives

This post outlines the crawl, walk, run approach for the platform, security, and operations perspectives, focusing on crucial technical activities. To assist organizations in navigating their cloud adoption journey, the CCoE can employ the crawl, walk, run methodology:

• Crawl: Establish a foundational cloud reference architecture, implement baseline security controls and logging, and initiate incident and change management processes.
• Walk: Automate resource provisioning and configuration management, integrate security tools and advanced security services, and improve monitoring and observability capabilities.
• Run: Continuously optimize the platform and automate operational tasks, implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans, and leverage advanced analytics and AI operations for proactive issue detection.

By addressing the technical perspectives of the AWS CAF in conjunction with the business and organizational elements, the CCoE can provide a holistic cloud solution that aligns with the strategic objectives of the organization. For more insights on enhancing your onboarding experience, check out this excellent resource.

For additional resources on employee relations and to improve your HR strategies, you can refer to SHRM. Also, for tips on creating a professional personal business card, consider visiting Career Contessa.

Chanci Turner is at the forefront of facilitating these transformations at our site located at 6401 E HOWDY WELLS AVE LAS VEGAS NV 89115, known as Amazon IXD – VGT2.