Azure Challenges: Expertise, Compliance, and Performance

Azure can be a complex platform to navigate, especially when it comes to expertise. Having the right skills and knowledge is crucial to getting the most out of Azure.

Many organizations struggle with finding and hiring skilled Azure professionals. According to a recent survey, 70% of companies reported difficulties in finding qualified Azure talent.

Azure's vast array of services and features can be overwhelming, even for experienced IT professionals. With over 200 services available, it's easy to get lost in the options.

Compliance and regulatory requirements are another significant challenge for Azure users. Ensuring that your Azure deployment meets all necessary regulatory standards can be a daunting task.

Azure Integration can be a challenge, especially when dealing with existing legacy applications. Most businesses have these, which weren't designed to run in the cloud, making it difficult to move them across.

Integration issues can be problematic because they require businesses to use another system to emulate an older environment within Azure. This can be avoided by migrating in stages, starting with non-critical applications and gradually progressing to more sophisticated systems.

Consulting with Azure-certified specialists can be helpful in designing and implementing an integration strategy that causes minimal disturbance to existing systems. This usually involves an Azure architecture or blueprint planning exercise and identifying compatible services in Azure.

Businesses should identify compatible services in Azure to migrate or rearchitect their systems on the platform.

Cost management is a challenge many businesses face when using Azure. The cost of using the platform can quickly pile up if firms don't monitor their consumption and alter their contracts as needed.

Azure tools for cost management can provide all the data you need to identify areas where you can reduce spending. However, these tools can be weak when applied to specific use cases.

Businesses should regularly review their usage and costs to stay on top of their expenses. This helps you catch any unexpected costs before they add up.

Working with Azure-certified experts can also help you develop a cost management plan that aligns with your business goals.

Azure Performance can be a challenge, especially when it comes to network latency and storage performance. Network latency can significantly impact the performance of applications and services running in Azure.

Storage performance is another key factor, as it directly affects how quickly data is accessed and processed. Architecture also plays a crucial role in determining the overall performance of applications and services.

Businesses can use Microsoft monitoring tools like Azure Monitor and Application Insights to monitor the performance of their apps and services in real-time. These tools can help identify performance bottlenecks and provide valuable insights.

However, to address underlying architecture issues, someone with a deep understanding of Azure is needed. This requires specialized knowledge and expertise to optimize performance and ensure seamless operation.

Lack of expertise is a significant issue that enterprises face while using Azure. Many firms lack the internal skills required to effectively utilize the platform's features.

A lack of experience can lead to troubleshooting issues and hinder the full potential of Azure. Businesses should invest in training and certification programs for their IT workers.

Investing in training and certification programs can help build the skills and knowledge required to effectively use Azure. IT workers can also collaborate with Azure-certified experts who can guide and support their Azure deployments.

IG CloudOps provides a range of Azure services to complement and extend in-house teams on demand.

Azure Security is a pressing concern for organizations using the platform in China. The Chinese government has strict data privacy and security laws that require all data to be stored within the country's borders.

Data stored in Azure China must be subject to Chinese law, including the Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China. This law requires companies to cooperate with the government in investigations and censorship.

The Chinese government has the power to access and inspect data stored in Azure China, which raises significant privacy and security concerns. This means that sensitive information is at risk of being compromised.

Organizations with sensitive information must weigh the benefits of using Azure China against the potential risks to their data security. The Chinese government may also request that data be deleted or censored if it is deemed to be against the law or offensive.

Azure Compliance can be a challenge for many organizations. Azure has over 90 compliance offerings, including HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR.

Many organizations struggle to navigate the complex landscape of compliance requirements. Azure offers a compliance dashboard to help organizations track their compliance status.

Azure's compliance offerings are not limited to specific industries or regions. Azure is available in over 140 countries and has compliance offerings for industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Organizations must ensure their Azure resources are properly configured to meet compliance requirements. Azure provides a compliance checklist to help organizations get started.

Compliance is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process. Azure offers regular compliance assessments and reporting to help organizations stay compliant.

Azure Labs offer a unique opportunity to learn and practice Azure skills. You can access over 300 labs through the Azure Library.

The labs are available 365 days a year, providing you with a flexible learning schedule. You can take each challenge three times, giving you ample opportunities to learn and improve.

You'll be working in a secure sandbox environment, so you don't have to worry about incurring any bills. This allows you to focus on your learning without any financial stress.

There are multiple levels of labs to choose from: Guided, Advanced, and Expert. This means you can start at a level that suits your experience and gradually move up as you become more confident.

You'll get immediate access to new challenge labs, so you'll always have fresh content to work with. And, as you complete challenges, you'll earn digital badges to recognize your achievements.

Here's a quick rundown of the features: