Adrian Asher, CISO and Cloud Architect at Checkout.com, discusses his transition from monolithic to cloud-native structures in fintech. He emphasizes the importance of using AWS technologies like Lambda and Fargate for better security and scalability. Adrian explores the differences between cloud-native and cloud-naive approaches, stressing the need for cultural shifts within organizations. He shares insights on preparing security teams for generative AI, showcasing the evolving relationship between development and security practices.
Transitioning from legacy systems to cloud-native solutions necessitates cultural changes and continuous education to embrace new technologies effectively.
Utilizing cloud tools like AWS Lambda and Fargate enhances operational security and efficiency while allowing teams to focus on application development.
Deep dives
The Importance of Continuous Learning in Tech
A focus on legacy systems often distracts from proactive learning and innovation in technology. Emphasizing the need for developers to both teach and learn fosters an enriching environment that encourages growth. By engaging with fresh ideas and perspectives, teams can improve their practices and adapt more effectively to changing technologies. This mindset helps avoid stagnation and promotes a culture of continuous improvement within organizations.
Transitioning to Cloud Native Solutions
The move from traditional architecture to cloud-native solutions significantly impacts performance and security. Organizations may often mistakenly adopt a 'cloud naive' approach, simply replicating their existing infrastructure in the cloud rather than optimizing it. Utilizing tools like AWS Lambda and Amazon Fargate allows businesses to enhance security and reduce management overhead by automating infrastructure management. This ensures that teams can focus on developing applications while relying on cloud providers to maintain the underlying infrastructure.
Cultural Change for Cloud Adoption
Successful transitions to cloud-native environments require significant cultural adjustments within organizations. Leaders must effectively guide their teams through changes by educating them about new tools and security practices, allowing them to embrace these innovations. Support for developers to innovate and experiment helps mitigate resistance to change, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. Structured training and continuous communication enable staff to adapt quickly, reinforcing a security-first mindset throughout the development process.
What are you doing differently today that you're stopping tomorrow's legacy? In this episode Ashish spoke to Adrian Asher, CISO and Cloud Architect at Checkout.com, to explore the journey from monolithic architecture to cloud-native solutions in a regulated fintech environment. Adrian shared his perspective on why there "aren't enough lambdas" and how embracing cloud-native technologies like AWS Lambda and Fargate can enhance security, scalability, and efficiency.