TALKING

The need to identify solutions and partners that can secure everything from the core to the cloud to the Edge is emphasised – can you shed some light on this ?

This is where the concept of what I call the Continuum is crucial . Security does not have a one-size-fits-all ; it requires multiple layers . I often compare it to Swiss cheese – if you cleverly layer several slices of Swiss cheese on top of one another , the holes disappear because something that penetrates one layer is stopped by another .

In security , we must continue practicing long-standing measures like Multi-Factor Authentication ( MFA ), firewalls , four eye principles and access restrictions . However , in the new world of cloud native computing , we need approaches that are inherently designed for these environments . Using traditional tools for cloud native challenges is like fitting a diesel engine into a horse-drawn cart without changing the tyres or steering ; it simply doesn ’ t work .

What would you suggest to companies attempting to balance their digital and cloud native infrastructure ?

That ’ s an excellent point and a challenging one . It ’ s rarely a matter of simply discarding legacy workloads in favour of cloud native solutions . Those legacy systems are often crucial to driving revenue and safeguarding key data . My primary recommendation is to focus on modernising and automating processes around these classic systems .

Consider whether you have multiple Linux distributions or a distributed environment , perhaps utilising multicloud or hybrid cloud setups . I ’ m not suggesting you consolidate everything into a single cloud – this isn ’ t feasible or desirable for everyone . Instead , aim for consistency . Implement a unified infrastructure and tools that manage the entire life cycle , with a single pane of glass for oversight . This approach ensures comprehensive security across your premises , supporting your security and infrastructure teams to boost productivity .

Gerald Pfeifer , CTO , SUSE

We need to combine established , proven methods with tools specifically designed for new domains . For cloud native and distributed environments , this means adopting tools that are well-suited and purposebuilt for these areas . This dual approach ensures comprehensive security across both traditional and modern infrastructures .

Innovative DevOps and PlatformOps tools were highlighted in the report as being important for competitive advantage and enhancing operational efficiency – can you elaborate on the benefits these tools offer ?

Developers spend most of their time not writing code but on aspects like managing infrastructure , which often involves a significant amount of waiting . Whether it ’ s filling out online forms or waiting for a cluster to be provisioned , delays are common . I ’ ve seen instances where developers need a test cluster but end up waiting two days .

Our survey confirms the importance of equipping developers with the right tools . This enables the infrastructure team to empower developers through self-service options , allowing them to request resources like clusters quickly and automatically . However , simply shifting the load to platform engineering teams without proper support isn ’ t effective . While developers might benefit from streamlined processes , this can overburden infrastructure teams unless they are equipped with the right tools .

When we asked about priorities , application performance emerged as the top concern .

This strategy also helps to create space . In my experience , it ’ s rare to see an influx of new projects accompanied by additional staff . More commonly , teams are expected to handle increasing workloads with the same resources . By modernising and automating , you can manage your legacy systems more efficiently , freeing up the capacity to tackle new initiatives without overburdening your existing teams .

How do attitudes compare in the UAE and Europe when it comes to digital and cloud native infrastructure adoption and what conclusions can we draw from this ?

In my engagements across Europe , I haven ’ t observed substantial differences . The concerns remain classic : ensuring security and availability while driving innovation . The key challenge is balancing the maintenance of existing systems with the need for transformation .

If an IT department isn ’ t quick and innovative , business units often resort to Shadow IT , acquiring solutions

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