Azure Cost Management is a suite of tools and services that helps you monitor, analyze, and optimize your Azure spending. It is a critical tool for any organization that uses Azure, as it can help you save money and get the most out of your investment.

This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Cost Management in Azure. We will cover the following topics:

• What is Cost Management in Azure?
• Benefits of Cost Management in Azure
• How to use Cost Management in Azure
• Best practices for cost management in Azure
• Advanced Cost Management features

What is Cost Management in Azure?

Cost Management in Azure provides you with a comprehensive view of your Azure spending. It includes data on all of your Azure resources, including VMs, storage, databases, and networking. You can view your costs by subscription, resource group, resource type, or tag.

Cost Management also offers a number of features to help you optimize your spending. For example, you can create budgets, set alerts, and forecast your future costs. You can also use Cost Management to identify underutilized resources and right-size your deployments.

Benefits of Cost Management in Azure:

There are many benefits to using Cost Management in Azure. Here are a few of the most important:

• Improved visibility: Cost Management gives you a clear understanding of where your money is going in Azure. This helps you identify areas where you can save money.
• Better cost control: Cost Management provides you with tools to control your spending. For example, you can create budgets and set alerts to notify you when you exceed your spending limits.
• Increased efficiency: Cost Management can help you automate many of your cost management tasks. This frees up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.
• Compliance: Cost Management can help you ensure that you are compliant with your organization's financial policies.

How to use Cost Management in Azure:

To use Cost Management in Azure, you can access it through the Azure portal, the Azure CLI, or the Azure PowerShell SDK.

Once you have logged in to Cost Management, you will see a dashboard that provides an overview of your Azure spending. You can drill down into this data to view costs by subscription, resource group, resource type, or tag.

You can also use Cost Management to create budgets, set alerts, and forecast your future costs.

Here are some specific examples of how to use Cost Management in Azure:

• Identify underutilized resources: You can use Cost Management to identify resources that are not being used. This can help you right-size your deployments and save money.
• Reduce costs by using reserved instances: Reserved instances can save you up to 72% on your Azure spending. Cost Management can help you identify the right reserved instances for your needs.
• Optimize your VM sizing: Cost Management can help you ensure that your VMs are sized appropriately. This can help you avoid overpaying for resources.
• Detect and respond to cost anomalies: Cost Management can help you detect and respond to cost anomalies. This can help you avoid unexpected expenses.

Best practices for cost management in Azure:

Here are some best practices for cost management in Azure:

• Set budgets: Budgets allow you to track your spending and receive alerts when you exceed a certain threshold.
• Use reserved instances: Reserved instances can save you up to 72% on your Azure spending. However, you need to commit to using a reserved instance for a period of one or three years.
• Use the right pricing tier: Azure offers a variety of pricing tiers for its services. Choose the pricing tier that best meets your needs and budget.
• Right-size your resources: Make sure that you are not over-provisioning or under-provisioning your Azure resources.
• Monitor your costs: Use Cost Management to monitor your spending on a regular basis. This will help you identify any areas where you can save money.

Advanced Cost Management features:

Cost Management in Azure also offers a number of advanced features, such as:

• Cost allocation: Cost allocation allows you to track costs back to your organization's departments or projects. This can help you improve accountability and transparency.
• Cost center management: Cost center management allows you to create and manage cost centers in Cost Management. This can help you track costs by business unit or department.
• Cost tagging: Cost tagging allows you to tag your Azure resources with custom tags. This can help you track costs by category or project.
• Cost anomaly detection: Cost anomaly detection allows you to detect and respond to unusual spikes in your Azure spending.

Cost Management in Azure is a powerful tool that can help you optimize your Azure spending and get the most out of your investment. By following the best practices outlined in this guide and using the advanced features available in Cost Management, you can save money and improve your bottom line.

Welcome to another informative blog where we'll be diving deep into Azure's top security best practices. In the world of cloud computing, security is paramount, and Azure offers a range of powerful tools and features to help you safeguard your data and applications. In this article, we'll explore seven essential azure security practices that you should implement for a robust Azure environment. Let's get started!

Encrypt Data at Rest and In-Flight

First on our list is the fundamental practice of encrypting data both at rest and in-flight. Even if an attacker gains access to your database, your data remains protected. Azure provides the Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) feature, which encrypts data at rest by default. Azure manages the encryption keys, and you can also bring your own for added security. Additionally, make sure to secure data in transit with Transport Layer Security (TLS) to ensure secure communication.

Restrict Access to Your Database

Protecting your database from unauthorized access is a cornerstone of Azure security. Azure allows you to configure firewalls for your databases, enabling you to control which IP addresses are allowed to connect. This is a powerful mechanism for blocking unwanted traffic during development and testing phases. For production environments, consider using Azure Private Link to connect to databases securely, shielding them from external threats.

Secure Access to Your Virtual Machines

If you're using virtual machines in Azure, it's crucial to control access effectively. Rather than leaving RDP or SSH ports open, deploy your VMs within a virtual network. Azure Bastion is a fantastic tool that allows you to securely connect to your VMs without exposing them to the public internet. By eliminating the need for public IP addresses on your VMs, Azure Bastion enhances security.

Protect Your Application Secrets

Safeguarding application secrets, such as API keys and connection strings, is a critical step in Azure security. Avoid storing these sensitive credentials in your codebase. Instead, utilize Azure Key Vault, a centralized repository for secrets, keys, and certificates. Azure Managed Service Identity allows your services to securely connect to Key Vault without exposing sensitive information, improving overall security posture.

Implement a Separate Azure Subscription for Production

Isolating your production environment from development and testing is a smart practice. By creating a dedicated Azure subscription for production, you reduce the risk of accidentally mixing environments and ensure the integrity of your data. Leveraging Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) within separate subscriptions allows you to finely control access and maintain a robust security framework.

Leverage a Web Application Firewall

Web applications are frequent targets for cyberattacks. Protecting them is essential. Implementing a gateway service like Azure Front Door or Application Gateway combined with a web application firewall provides advanced security capabilities. These tools can detect and block threats such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting attacks, enhancing your web application's resilience.

Harness the Power of Azure Security Center

Last but not least, we arrive at a game-changer: Azure Security Center. This powerful service offers insights into your security status, actionable recommendations, and the means to implement these recommendations directly. Azure Security Center allows you to periodically assess the security of your resources, receive alerts, and swiftly address any vulnerabilities. It's your trusted partner in keeping your Azure environment secure.

ePATHUSA: Your Trusted Partner in Azure Security

As you embark on your journey to implement these Azure security best practices, consider partnering with ePATHUSA. With a decade of experience in cloud solutions, ePATHUSA stands ready to assist you in your quest for a secure Azure environment. Whether it's encrypting data, securing virtual machines, or implementing Azure Security Center, ePATHUSA's expertise ensures a seamless and effective security strategy.

From configuring firewalls to setting up Azure Private Link, ePATHUSA understands the intricate details of Azure's security offerings. As you endeavor to safeguard your data, applications, and users, ePATHUSA's guidance will prove invaluable. With our support, you can confidently adopt these security best practices and leverage Azure's full potential while keeping cyber threats at bay.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud security, implementing these best practices in your Azure environment is crucial. From encrypting data to utilizing Azure Security Center, each step plays a pivotal role in fortifying your defenses. By partnering with ePATHUSA, you can rest assured that your Azure security strategy is in capable hands. So, embrace these practices, enhance your security posture, and chart a course toward a more secure cloud journey. Stay secure, stay empowered!

Security is not a product; it's a process. It's not about being perfect, it's about reducing risk.

 - Robert E. Davis

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When it comes to Azure security best practices, this quote encapsulates the essence of the approach you should adopt. Azure provides a robust platform for building and deploying applications, but ensuring the security of your resources requires continuous effort and adherence to well-established security practices.
              – Suman Kondla ( Azure Solution Architect)

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet. These services can include servers, storage, databases, software, and more, and are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis. Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes due to its many benefits. In this blog, we will explore the cloud computing benefits and challenges for your business.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

1. Cost Savings - Cloud computing eliminates the need for businesses to invest in expensive hardware, software, and infrastructure. Instead, businesses can access the computing services they need on a pay-as-you-go basis, which can lead to significant cost savings.
2. Scalability - Cloud computing allows businesses to easily scale their computing resources up or down as needed, making it easy to handle changes in demand.
3. Increased Collaboration - Cloud computing makes it easy for teams to work together, even if they are in different locations. Files and data can be easily accessed and shared in the cloud, making collaboration much more efficient.
4. Improved Security - Cloud computing providers often have robust security measures in place to protect their clients' data, which can be more secure than on-premise solutions.
5. Disaster Recovery - Cloud computing makes it easy for businesses to recover data in the event of a disaster, as data is stored off-site and can be quickly retrieved.

Challenges of Cloud Computing:

1. Security and Privacy - While cloud computing providers often have robust security measures in place, businesses need to be aware of potential security and privacy risks associated with cloud computing.
2. Reliance on Internet Connectivity - Cloud computing requires a reliable internet connection, and businesses that experience connectivity issues may experience downtime and loss of productivity.
3. Migration Challenges - Moving to the cloud can be a complex process, and businesses need to carefully plan and execute their migration strategy to avoid potential issues.
4. Integration Challenges - Integrating cloud computing services with existing on-premise systems can be a challenge, and businesses need to ensure that their systems work together seamlessly.
5. Vendor Lock-In - Businesses that rely heavily on a single cloud computing provider may find it difficult to switch providers in the future, which can limit their flexibility and increase costs.

Conclusion:

n conclusion, cloud computing has become a crucial element in modern business operations, and the benefits it provides are too significant to ignore. However, businesses must overcome the challenges associated with cloud computing to take advantage of these benefits fully.

At ePATHUSA, we offer cloud computing services that can help your business overcome these challenges and ensure a successful transition to the cloud. Our team of experts can guide you through the migration process, implement the necessary security measures, and ensure seamless integration with your existing systems. With our cloud computing services, your business can take advantage of the scalability, cost savings, and increased collaboration that the cloud offers. Contact ePATHUSA today to learn more about how we can help your business with cloud computing services.

Instead of buying and installing software or hardware, you rent Infrastructure to run on in a virtual environment. This type of cloud computing is one of three main categories, along with software as a service (SaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS.).  

IaaS can be a cost-efficient option for any organization where the cloud provider manages resources such as storage, servers, and networks and delivers them to subscribers. IaaS benefits enterprises by potentially making workloads faster, easier to manage, more flexible, and cheaper.  

What is Infrastructure as a Service architecture?  

In the Infrastructure as a service model, a cloud provides the on-premises elements to deliver a data center experience. This includes server hardware, the virtualization element, and storage and networking equipment.  

Companies that provide Infrastructure as a service, such as Amazon Web Services, offer many additional features with it, including:  

 Cloud computing enables users to use automation and orchestration to implement policies that make details of their Infrastructure smaller and more efficient. For example, a user can set load balancing policies to ensure that their application remains available and performant.  

What makes IaaS so powerful?  

With this technology, users have access to all the resources they need to install their software and use the services of the platform provider. In addition, these providers can offer customers monitoring tools and information on when and how much resource use has occurred so that they may participate in the control and management of their own computing needs, as well as provide disaster recovery equalization options or opportunities.  

 Cloud computing models require a service provider. This provider is usually a third-party organization that provides IaaS, meaning the cloud computing company already has a presence in its Infrastructure. A business might also deploy its private cloud, becoming the provider of services for that Infrastructure.   

Why IaaS is more flexible, scalable, and secure?

Businesses are choosing to switch over to IaaS because it is more convenient, faster, and cost-efficient. In addition, with IaaS, you can rent or lease your Infrastructure from another business.  

If you need to run a temporary workload on the cloud, like one that changes often or is experimental with unpredictable demands, then IaaS providers are your answer. Cloud computing services like IaaS provide the resources needed for a faster project than traditional Infrastructure can offer.  

Once the new software is thoroughly tested and refined, it could be deployed in a more traditional, on-premises environment. Conversely, if the cost of committing to a long-term deployment is less than a traditional one, the organization can save on that type of deployment.  

Businesses can use IaaS providers to save significant capital on hardware and software by paying only for the resources they use.  

Private cloud offerings with extreme control and scalability still exist, even when using a public cloud provider. However, ownership costs of the hardware are at hand.  

Disadvantages of IaaS  

Cloud billing is a convoluted process that can confuse large businesses and cause problems where large service fees are incurred. Oversee your IaaS usage and bills, so you don't find yourself with excessive bills for services not used.   

Insight is common when using IaaS, making it difficult to manage or monitor your system. However, the lack of detail from the infrastructure provider, systems management, and monitoring problems are associated with this.  

IaaS users are concerned about the reliability of IaaS providers in the event of internal misfunction or external downtime. In addition, the multi-tenant architecture makes it difficult to pinpoint noise from noisy neighbors.  

Differences between IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS   

Different cloud computing models can be integrated into a multi-tiered model. For example, one characteristic of PaaS and SaaS is that they offer services related to the computations of IaaS, as well as services for data storage and access.  

A PaaS offering provides a simplified way for businesses to move into cloud computing with servers, networks, and operating systems provided by the infrastructure provider. However, compared to IaaS models, the cost of using this model is often higher because overall business control is more restricted.  

SaaS provides all the infrastructure and applications for users to use in exchange for a price. Users can have some say in how they use the application and who can use it, but SaaS manages everything else.  

A guide to using IaaS  

IaaS can be used for a large variety of purposes. Computer resources generated by cloud computing can be used to fit a variety of use cases. The quite common use cases for IaaS deployments include the following:  

IaaS allows organizations to have the main Infrastructure, which can be leveraged for different environments. It is easy for them to scale up and down by adding and removing resources when needed.  

Additionally, hosting a website through hosting companies makes it more affordable than traditional methods.  

Managing data storage has been simplified by IaaS cloud management. Now businesses have the flexibility to scale up and down their data storage needs. This is helpful by setting aside time and resources to manage legal and compliance requirements of data storage when demand increases or decreases.  

Web applications are hosted in the cloud with IaaS. An IaaS-based template provides the necessary servers, storage, and networking resources for web apps. As a result, deployments to the infrastructure are rapid, which allows for easier scaling up or down according to demand. Specific tasks created by machine learning instead of the core functions expected from a computer, like analytics, finance, and product design, may demand high-performance computing.  

Data warehousing and big data analytics. IaaS can provide the necessary compute, storage, and processing power to comb through big data sets.  

Discussed here are the major IaaS product providers.  

In a few examples, IaaS products offered by three of the leading public cloud service providers-- Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft-- include:  

AWS offers storage services such as Simple Storage Service (S3) and Glacier, as well as compute services such as Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).  

Google Cloud Platform offers storage and computing services for you.  

Azure virtual machines offer a wide range of services for workloads in the cloud.  

IaaS providers offer a wide range of services, including serverless functions, such as AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, or Google Cloud Functions; database access; big data computer environments; monitoring; logging; and more.  

There are many other smaller or more niche players in the cloud computing marketplace. These include these products:  

 Be careful before choosing a provider and be ready to select an alternate provider if the service has a reliability issue or needs to be moved. Be prepared as well to redeploy onto another infrastructure.  

Find out how to implement IaaS.  

Before setting up a monolithic system of cloud servers, devices, and applications to run on that Infrastructure, it's essential to consider the unique needs of that Infrastructure. A well-defined IaaS use case will enable the right decisions at each model level - from technology suppliers to software setup. The technical requirements of an IaaS model should define everything ranging from how many servers are needed to how much storage capacity is required.  

On an inaccessible cloud deployment, organizations must ask themselves how they will access the infrastructure quickly and efficiently. They should ask questions like, "How do I gain access to resources on demand?" and "What security mechanisms are in place to protect my data?"  

Storage options are vast and need to be carefully examined. Organizations will want to consider the required performance, types of space needed, and how much can be spared for provisioning.  

If your company relies heavily on the cloud, you should consider which server, VM, or CPU options your provider can offer. With the range of options available and significant technological advances, a high new cost must be considered when cloud computing is utilized.  

With the essential questions on data security addressed, you are now ready to approach finding a cloud service that best fits your needs. Data encryption, certifications, compliance, and regulation are just some things to consider.  

Disaster recovery is a crucial area for organizations in the event of failover on VM, server, or site levels.  

With server sizing, users can choose from many sizes and allocate how many CPUs to include on the server. In addition, a few other CPU details are available.  

The latency of VMs, data centers, storage   

Manageability. With so many features in the IaaS, which ones are user-controlled? How easy is it to change and manage them?  

During the implementation process, organizations should do their due diligence to determine which product or services of different companies meet their needs.

Regarding vendors and products, hedge your bets by thoroughly negotiating all service-level agreements. Dealing entirely will make it less likely for your organization to be negatively affected by small details that are not directly known.  

Blockchain: What IS it and how can YOU use it? Blockchain is simply a digital ledger of transactions, duplicated and distributed across the entire network of computer systems on the blockchain.

Blockchain is a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system. Blockchain is most commonly associated with Bitcoin, the oldest and most popular cryptocurrency, but it also has many other potentials uses besides financial transactions.

For example, blocks store information about transactions like the date, time, and dollar amount of your most recent purchase from Amazon. (NOTE: This Amazon example is for illustrative purchases; Amazon sales are not recorded on a blockchain.)

Each block stores a unique code called a “hash” that allows us to tell it apart from every other block. Let’s say you made your splurge purchase on Amazon, but while it’s in transit, you decide you just can’t resist and need a second one. Even though the details of your new transaction would look nearly identical to your earlier purchase, we can still tell the blocks are apart because of their unique codes.

When your computer finishes processing the block, you move on to the next one. A blockchain is like a chain of blocks that contain information. The “chain” part comes from each block being connected to the block before and after it — so as more blocks are added to the chain, it becomes longer and more difficult to tamper with. In fact, tampering with any individual block would.

Blockchain is still a new and emerging technology, but what it has the potential to do—and possibly disrupt in numerous industries—is worth keeping an eye on. Whether you're running a business or thinking of getting into the world of online advertising, blockchain could be something that you want to familiarize yourself with.

ePathUSA is investing to create a capability in blockchain through their network of partners who are pioneered in it.

1. https://www.euromoney.com/learning/blockchain-explained/what-is-blockchain
2. https://www.ibm.com/topics/what-is-blockchain
3. https://builtin.com/blockchain

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the transformation of physical objects around the world that are now connected to the internet. These devices are all collecting and sharing data that help businesses make business decisions as well as automate human lives.

The idea first stemmed throughout the 1980s and 1990s when technologists thought of the idea to add sensors and intelligence to basic objects. They started investing in devices like televisions, cars, and smartphones. Now, these devices have matured to the point where an internet connection is part of the base offering. 

1. A lightbulb that can be switched on by using a smartphone app 
2. A smart refrigerator that tracks what type of foods you eat
3. A smart thermostat that analyzes patterns in your household to set the right temperature without human interference 
4. Self-driving cars
5. Fitness watch

What is the IoT?

What are the benefits of the internet of things for businesses?

Businesses use the Internet of Things to learn more about their customers so they can react faster and serve them in advanced ways that add new value and increase revenue. 

For example, manufacturers are adding sensors to parts of their products to record data and track how they are doing. This can help companies see when a certain part is likely to fail and switch it out before it causes any damage. This helps make their supply chain more efficient because they have data that keeps them one step ahead.

What are the benefits of the internet of things for consumers?

The Internet of Things makes our homes, offices, and vehicles smarter and measurable. Smart speakers allow users to play music, set timers, or get on-demand information just by speaking to it. Home security systems allow users to monitor their homes inside and out with little effort and smart thermostats help people heat or cool their homes before they arrive.

However, these connected devices can raise concerns about personal privacy since they contain sensitive data and can be open to hackers.

What next for the iot?

Tech analyst company IDC predicts that in total there will be 41.6 billion connected IoT devices by 2025. Consumer IoT spending was predicted to hit $108 billion, making it the second-largest industry segment: smart home, personal wellness, and connected vehicle infotainment will see much of the spending. Within the integration of artificial intelligence, the future of IoT is limitless.