--- title: Learn How the Cloud and Azure Transforms Traditional Governance description: Modern cloud governance creates new demands. Learn how Azure transforms traditional governance. image: https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/hubfs/Governance%20Transformation.png --- # How Does the Cloud & Azure Transform Traditional Governance? Posted by Michael Spenny - January 19, 2021 ### For organizations to truly reap the maximum benefit from their Microsoft Azure cloud investment, having the right governance framework and processes is crucial.   - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/how-does-the-cloud-azure-transform-traditional-governance) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/how-does-the-cloud-azure-transform-traditional-governance&title=&summary=&source=) - [**](https://twitter.com/home?status=) - [**](mailto:?&subject=https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/how-does-the-cloud-azure-transform-traditional-governance&body=https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/how-does-the-cloud-azure-transform-traditional-governance) ** ![header-picture](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/hubfs/cloud-governance-web.jpg "header-picture") ### How Azure Transforms Traditional Governance The cloud offers some great benefits and advantages that are there for all to see. For organizations to truly reap the maximum benefit from their Microsoft Azure cloud investment, having the right governance framework and processes is crucial.   ### **Opportunity**  In the initial stages of cloud adoption, it’s common for organizations to attempt to apply traditional IT governance process and controls to the cloud. Take for example provisioning a new development server. In a traditional IT governance model this request can involve several reviews and approvals, looking something like the following: ![centralized governance](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/centralizedgovernance.png?width=600&name=centralizedgovernance.png) Contrast this with the agile and decentralized model available when automated controls and policies are applied in Azure: ![decentralized governance (modern)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/decentralizedgovernance.png?width=600&name=decentralizedgovernance.png) Certainty and efficiency empower your innovation teams when modern collaborative governance policies are implemented throughout your cloud environment. Here are a few other areas that benefit from Azure cloud services that support collaborative cloud governance.  ### **Resource Provisioning and Visibility**  Resource management and visibility should be a key aspect of your organization’s cloud governance strategy. An effective resource tagging strategy should be collaboratively defined up front and then required by Azure Policy when resources are provisioned. With tagging in place, Azure provides querying capabilities that allow those responsible for cost management, compliance, and security to gain visibility into the organization’s cloud footprint.  ### **Curbing Shadow IT**  Depending on the maturity level of your governance strategy, both cloud and traditional IT Governance are at risk of having resource blind spots and shadow IT. One benefit of cloud over traditional governance is automation. Azure provides the ability to configure and enforce organization access management (via Management Groups, Subscriptions and Resource Groups) and the enforcement of compliance and security controls (via Azure Policy, Blueprints, and Initiatives) at all levels of your organization’s cloud footprint.  [![Azure Governance Playbook FREE DOWNLOAD](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/707613/12e14509-7f97-4632-9ac5-296ad0dc3b81.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707613/12e14509-7f97-4632-9ac5-296ad0dc3b81) ### **Reduces Risk**  Both traditional and cloud governance are concerned with risk and limiting exposure, whether it’s exposed data, non-compliant resources, security exposure or cost overruns. Cloud governance needs to consider the unique challenges posed by cloud solutions. As complexity and scope of cloud-based solutions increases setting stringent compliance processes and ensuring that they are adhered to, is extremely crucial. Compliance standards also need to evolve as regulations change. Azure Security Center is an example of the tooling that’s available in Azure to assist organizations in reducing risks while also   ### **Reduces Cost** A major differentiator between traditional and cloud governance is how the policies and security measures are carried out and enforced.  Given the complexity of cloud operations, expecting governance to be performed by already over-loaded IT teams is often unrealistic or impractical. Governance is much simpler when IT staff are freed from repetitive and time-intensive tasks that can be automated. With Azure Policy and Azure Initiatives in place, automation can help curb extra spending and consumption, and optimize the use of resources by shutting down workloads when they are not required  If you are ready to accelerate your governance transformation, [contact InCycle](https://www.incyclesoftware.com/contact) to schedule an introductory call. Together, we can explore  modern governance  to help you achieve your goals.  [Download our Azure Governance Playbook](https://www.incyclesoftware.com/playbook-for-modern-enterprise-and-cloud-governance) to learn more today.!  Topics: [Structure & Responsibilities](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/topic/structure-responsibilities) [![Modern Enterprise & Cloud Governance Playbook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/707613/e1a05ffb-2e33-417f-8064-4014f1877e61.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707613/e1a05ffb-2e33-417f-8064-4014f1877e61) --- ### Recent Posts By Michael Spenny - 19 January, 2021 #### Collaborative Cloud Governance: Auditability & Visibility [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/collaborative-cloud-governance-auditability-and-visibility) By Michael Spenny - 19 January, 2021 #### How Does the Cloud & Azure Transform Traditional Governance? [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/how-does-the-cloud-azure-transform-traditional-governance) By Michael Spenny - 19 January, 2021 #### DevOps Enables Modern Governance [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/devops-enables-modern-governance) --- ### Sign-up for Governance Blog Updates # ![Partners Awards List - 2021](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PoY%20Award%202021/Partners%20Awards%20List%20-%202021.png?width=748&name=Partners%20Awards%20List%20-%202021.png) # All About Modern Governance InCycle's Modern Governance blog is the result of almost 20 years of industry experience and is ideal reading for medium and large organizations that are trying to navigate cloud adoption and are struggling to design and implement modern governance for either a team, business unit or across the enterprise. The blog is comprehensive and addresses various stakeholders, including operations, security, application development, accounting, and audit. The goal of the blog is to showcase modern governance drivers, new challenges that arise, and to provide actionable guidance for practitioners to complete a modern governance transformation. ### Azure Governance Playbook FREE guidance and tools to complete governance transformation. [![Learn More!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/707613/d0b6969d-3645-4839-ae95-84acb7ca61a2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707613/d0b6969d-3645-4839-ae95-84acb7ca61a2) ### Posts by Topic - [Cost Control (5)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/tag/cost-control) - [Security (5)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/tag/security) - [Structure & Responsibilities (5)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/tag/structure-responsibilities) - [Visibility (5)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/tag/visibility) - [Implementation & Adoption (4)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/tag/implementation-adoption) ### Most Popular Posts ### Blog Archive - [January 2021 (23)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/archive/2021/01) - [February 2021 (1)](https://blogs.incyclesoftware.com/enterprise-azure-governance/archive/2021/02) - [**](https://twitter.com/incyclesoftware?lang=en) - [**](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/incycle-software) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/InCycleSoftware/) ### About us At InCycle, we believe there is always a better way and today, that includes the cloud. 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