Cloud sprawl definition
Cloud sprawl refers to a situation when a lack of centralized oversight makes an organization's cloud usage unmanageable. It happens when multiple departments or teams independently adopt cloud services without proper coordination.
See also: cloud as a service, cloud server, cloud architecture
Cloud sprawl drawbacks
- Inconsistent performance. Without centralized management, cloud services might not meet performance standards, causing slowdowns or disruptions in business operations.
- Redundancy confusion. Teams might unknowingly adopt overlapping tools, leading to inefficiencies and confusion about which services to use.
- Limited visibility. IT departments often lose track of all the deployed cloud resources, making it harder to maintain an accurate inventory or ensure compliance.
- Integration challenges. Disconnected systems may not work seamlessly together, creating inefficiencies in workflows or requiring additional time and resources for integration.
- Vendor lock-in risks. Independent cloud usage may lead to reliance on specific vendors, limiting flexibility and bargaining power.
How to manage cloud sprawl
- Centralized oversight. A dedicated team monitoring cloud usage across the organization helps ensure cloud resources are aligned with business goals and security standards.
- Clear policies. Clear, company-wide policies for cloud service adoption and usage help define who can approve new services, what types of services are acceptable, and how they should be integrated into existing workflows.
- Automation and tools. Leverage cloud management platforms to optimize cloud resources.
- Cloud resource tagging. Resource tagging helps categorize and track cloud assets across different departments.
- Cloud integration. Different cloud environments (public, private, hybrid) and services that are well integrated can eliminate inefficiencies and minimize the risk of siloed resources.
