Cloud computing has changed how businesses operate. It offers flexibility, speed, and lower upfront costs compared to traditional IT. However, using the cloud effectively requires more than just moving systems off-premises. Without clear rules and oversight, cloud environments can become hard to manage. That’s why you need to apply cloud computing governance.
| “Cloud computing is a powerful resource, but only if you have the strategic plan to leverage it.” – Chris Power, CEO of Power Consulting |
Still, 63% of organizations lack a cloud governance structure. This is mainly because designing and enforcing a cloud governance framework can be challenging, especially if your team is new to cloud management.
That’s why we created this guide to help you get started. We will explore what cloud governance means, its key principles, and how you can create your own cloud computing governance strategy.
What is Cloud Computing Governance?
Cloud computing governance is the framework of policies, roles, and processes that control how an organization uses cloud services. In simple terms, it’s a set of rules and oversight practices for your cloud technology.
Good governance ensures that your cloud environment stays secure, compliant with regulations, cost-effective, and aligned with business goals
Controlling cloud usage across your team is also a matter of cybersecurity. Analysts expect that 99% of cloud security failures through 2025 will happen because of user mistakes. Cloud governance helps prevent this by clearly assigning responsibilities and setting rules for how to use the cloud safely.
Choose 1 Partner For All Your IT Needs
The Key Principles of Cloud Computing Governance
A solid cloud governance program rests on several key principles that guide how you manage and use your cloud infrastructure. Here are the most important ones for any business.
| Security & Compliance | Protecting data and meeting compliance requirements is a core principle of cloud governance. This means enforcing strong security measures (like access controls and encryption) and adhering to laws or industry regulations. |
| Resource Management | Managing cloud resources properly is a key part of governance. It means setting rules for how teams request, use, and shut down cloud services. Without this kind of structure, teams may duplicate systems, forget to turn off unused services, or lose track of what’s running. As CloudSecureTech notes, 44% of organizations overspend on underutilized SaaS solutions. |
| Alignment | Your cloud strategy must support your overall business strategy. If a cloud initiative doesn’t align with business goals, governance policies should question it. All cloud decisions should be made with your company’s objectives in mind |
| Clear Policies | Establishing clear, written cloud policies and defining roles are fundamental to governance. Everyone in the organization should know the rules for cloud usage and who is responsible for various tasks. When policies are too vague or not enforced, employees may get confused about what they can or cannot do. |
| Continuous Monitoring | A good governance framework includes continuous monitoring of your cloud systems and regular audits of compliance, performance, and costs. Cloud technology and business needs change quickly, so the governance model should adapt over time. By watching metrics, you can catch issues early and correct them. |
| Cost Management | Cloud costs can quickly creep if no one tracks how they are spent. Good governance helps control costs by setting budgets, watching spending, and avoiding waste. |
How to Plan Your Cloud Governance Strategy
1. Define Your Cloud Goals
Begin by clarifying why your business uses (or plans to use) cloud computing. Outline a cloud strategy that directly aligns with these objectives. For example, if your goal is improving customer service, your cloud governance should prioritize reliability and data protection for customer-facing systems. Having a clear vision will guide all other governance decisions.
2. Establish Cloud Policies
With your goals in mind, develop a set of policies that govern cloud use. These should cover how to handle data, security requirements, resource provisioning rules, and compliance procedures.
Essentially, you are writing the “rulebook” for your cloud operations. Make sure the policies are written in clear, simple language so that everyone at your company can understand and follow them.
| Learn More Cloud Management Tips on Our Blog |
3. Assign Roles & Responsibilities
Determine who will be in charge of carrying out and enforcing the policies you’ve set. Cloud governance works best when you have specific people (or teams) accountable for specific areas.
For example, assign someone to monitor cloud costs, designate data stewards who ensure data in the cloud is properly managed, and appoint security personnel to review configurations.
4. Develop Processes For Cloud Operations
Next, create standard processes for how cloud resources are requested, deployed, and managed over time. This could include a process for launching a new server, data, or application in the cloud, a process for making changes to cloud configurations, and an incident response plan for each potential security risk. The goal is to standardize cloud operations so they are efficient and controlled
5. Monitor, Report, and Refine Continuously
Once your governance framework is in place, treat it as a living program. Regularly monitor your cloud environment for adherence to the policies. Set up periodic reviews to go over cloud cost reports, security audit findings, and performance metrics. If you discover issues, be ready to refine your governance documents as needed.
| Choose Cloud Computing Experts in NYC | ||
| Brooklyn | Manhattan | Queens |
Work With Cloud Experts to Enhance How You Use Your Technology
Establishing and maintaining an effective cloud governance strategy takes a lot of time and effort. You’re busy running your business, so you may not have the time to do it yourself, or the resources to designate someone to manage it. This is where working with expert cloud consultants can make a significant difference.
Power Consulting’s team has extensive experience across industries and a deep understanding of regulatory requirements, which means we can quickly understand your company’s exact needs and ensure your cloud setup meets all needed security and compliance mandates
Rather than being a “headless host” that simply provides cloud infrastructure, we work alongside your stakeholders to develop a cloud strategy that supports your business vision.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help.
