Cloud automation and network governance in modern infrastructure

Modern cloud and network management are increasingly defined by the tension between rapid automation and necessary security governance. While tools like Terraform allow engineers to manage infrastructure as code (IaC) across multiple providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, security leaders face challenges in maintaining control.

Jeff Spear, Chief Information Security Officer at Tufin, emphasizes the distinction between network management and governance. While management ensures the network is operational and data is flowing, governance focuses on whether specific connections should exist, who requested them, and if the associated risks are acceptable. As businesses evolve through mergers and new application deployments, maintaining alignment between network intent and business reality remains a critical discipline for security professionals.