Managing a SaaS company using AWS & Azure? What are the top three things you need to think about?

Steve Rastall (Founder & CEO) 11-Jul-2023 09:34:00

In this post, I want to share the top three areas I think every software as a service business should think about if you have a cloud-based offering running in AWS or Azure.

The biggest mistake we see again and again is having the development team manage infrastructure. Firstly the developers want to develop and not manage infrastructure. Second, this leads to 'hacks' being applied to all of your test/dev and live environments to get things working. You then get part way through a major release and once you scale up you find things like resource bottlenecks and performance issues, and unhappy customers.

Essentially this all stems from the three areas below, get these right and remove your cloud headaches in AWS & Azure.

Selecting a Reliable Cloud Service Provider:

Choose a reputable and trustworthy cloud service provider (CSP) that prioritises security. Assess their certifications, compliance frameworks, and security features. Look for CSPs that offer robust access controls, encryption, data backup and recovery options, and a strong incident response mechanism. Consider working with a CSP that has experience in your industry and understands the specific security requirements of your software.

For more about changing or selecting a CSP read our white paper.

Our partner details for Amazon are available here and Microsoft here. At IG CloudOps we have worked hard to build up our experienced UK team.

Implementing Secure Development Practices:

Adopt secure coding practices to minimise vulnerabilities in your software. Regularly update and patch your applications to address security flaws. Conduct thorough testing, including vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, to identify and remediate potential weaknesses. Encourage your development team to follow secure coding guidelines and provide training on best practices.

Our CloudOps cloud management software provides this as a turnkey service, as it offers, security, cost and penetration testing for your platform. Powered by industry-leading commercial and open-source software.

Regular Security & Compliance Assessments and Audits:

Conduct regular security assessments and audits of your cloud infrastructure and software applications. This helps identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or potential security gaps. Engage third-party security experts to perform independent audits and assessments to gain an unbiased perspective and ensure a thorough evaluation.

In the UK Cyber Essentials and GDPR are two of the most common standards. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and prosecutions. Stay informed about the latest data protection laws and ensure that your cloud infrastructure and software applications adhere to the necessary compliance standards and incorporate those into your regular schedules of checks.

Remember, security is an ongoing process. By prioritising security and data protection, you build trust with your customers, mitigate risks, and safeguard your business in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

If you want to find out more about how we can help you stabilise and secure your cloud infrastructure then get in touch.

Or book a test drive and see what CloudOps can do for your team.