Microsoft Azure is RED HOT

Microsoft Rides the Cloud, Digital Transformation to Strong Quarter

Microsoft's Azure cloud unit was the fastest-growing business, with a 93% gain in revenues.

"Our results this quarter reflect the trust people and organizations are placing in the Microsoft Cloud,"Nadella said. "We are innovating across key growth categories of infrastructure, AI, productivity and business applications."

For the quarter ending March 31, 2018 the tech ringer from Redmond saw its revenue increase to $26.8 billion (up 16%), with operating income up 23% to $8.3 billion. Income was a whopping $7.4 billion and diluted earnings per share were 95 cents versus analyst expectations of 85 cents per share, according to FactSet.

Learn about Microsoft's Azure Cloud today!

Attend a webinar on getting started with Azure - live demo and Q&A session:
Register now @ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/get-started/webinar/

Find other upcoming Azure events near you:
View all upcoming events @ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/community/events/

Attend other Azure webinars:
View all webinars @ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/webinars/

Azure CIS Foundations Benchmark Available

Make sure you are incorporating security into your Azure plans! This CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark guide provides strategic advice to help you secure your Azure Cloud environments.

CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v1.0.0 Now Available

It is with great enthusiasm we announce the release of the highly anticipated CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v1.0.0.  The development of this benchmark can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of our CIS Benchmark developers team, remarkable volunteers, and multiple vendors, all who have selflessly given their time and resources in developing this benchmark.

The CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v1.0.0 is intended to serve as a guide to secure the Azure Cloud. The Audit and Remediation sections within this Benchmark have been refined to include the Azure console steps and Azure CLI 2.0 commands where applicable. Microsoft has been an integral partner in the publishing of this benchmark to ensure recommendations in which no commands exist, will receive proper attention in future development. The structure of this benchmark is similar to that of other cloud-based CIS Benchmarks.

https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-microsoft-azure-foundations-benchmark-v1-0-0-now-available/

https://www.cisecurity.org/benchmark/azure/

Download Free Benchmark PDFs
https://learn.cisecurity.org/benchmarks

DevOps Containers How To

Although Linux Containers have been here for awhile, windows containers continue to make inroads into the DevOps world.  Definitely something to be learning about!  Check out this Quick Guide to Containerization for the foundation at ITPro Today...

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT>CONTAINERS - Your Quick Guide to Containerization - Terri Coles | Apr 04, 2018

http://www.itprotoday.com/containers/your-quick-guide-containerization

Software containers are similar to the enduring bento box—they make it simple to put something in a standardized container and move it with ease. Find out how to make containers work for you – and why you want to – with our deep dive into how containers work and what benefits they bring to your business.

PLUS, I spent my Saturday attending a new #Azure training boot camp. The Lab Guides we used are posted @ https://github.com/Azure/blackbelt-aks-hackfest

This workshop will guide you through migrating an application from "on-premise" to containers running in Azure Kubernetes Service.

GDPR Needs vs Requirements

GDPR seems likely to be challenging to identify needs AND requirements...  check out this article over at ITPro Today ...

SECURITY>RISK AND COMPLIANCE - Cloud Users Can’t Ignore GDPR Requirements - Cloud vendors can provide some assurance around meeting GDPR requirements, but only if you ask the right questions and get it in writing. - Nicole Henderson | Apr 05, 2018

http://www.itprotoday.com/risk-and-compliance/cloud-users-can-t-ignore-gdpr-requirements

If your business has moved workloads to the cloud, the people who did the moving likely went through the painstaking process of ensuring that any contracted vendors meet various regulatory requirements around storing customer data. But with the General Data Protection Rules (GDPR) set to go into effect at the end of next month, it is a good idea for IT pros to take a second look at the contracts they have with their cloud providers because those contracts must align with GDPR requirements.

Data Center and Hybrid Cloud

A really good article and perspective Todd Weiss provides over @

CLOUD and DATA CENTER>HYBRID CLOUD - the Rise in Kubernetes Deployment Is a Sign of the Container, Hybrid Cloud Times - Todd R. Weiss | Apr 05, 2018

As companies work to manage enterprise-grade cloud workloads and get a handle on container sprawl, Kubernetes deployment makes more and more sense.

http://www.itprotoday.com/hybrid-cloud/rise-kubernetes-deployment-sign-container-hybrid-cloud-times

Developed in 2014 by Google to manage "container sprawl," the Kubernetes project was promoted to "graduate" by the CNCF after demonstrating a thriving adoption rate, a documented and structured governance process, and a strong commitment to community success and inclusivity, according to the group.

So far, the Kubernetes project has more than 11,258 contributing developers, more than 75,000 commits on GitHub and more than 158,000 members in global Meetup groups--all of which attests to the project's continuing growth, Chris Aniszczyk, the COO for the CNCF, told ITProToday.

State Of Cloud Computing Business

A great series of articles presenting the State of the Cloud Computing Business as we look forward into 2018:

The State Of Cloud Business Intelligence, 2018
Apr 8, 2018, 12:20pm 3,896 views
Louis Columbus, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2018/04/08/the-state-of-cloud-business-intelligence-2018/#708021232180

Cloud Computing Outlook 2018: The Top 10 Predictions For Winning The Cloud Wars
Dec 4, 2017, 07:22am 10,621 views
Bob Evans, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobevans1/2017/12/04/cloud-computing-outlook-2018-the-top-10-predictions-for-winning-the-cloud-wars/#6ae03ad86078

Forrester's 10 Cloud Computing Predictions For 2018
Nov 7, 2017, 11:39pm 20,261 views
Louis Columbus, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2017/11/07/forresters-10-cloud-computing-predictions-for-2018/#7180a16f4ae1

Cloud Computing Market Projected To Reach $411B By 2020
Oct 18, 2017, 06:12pm 18,702 views
Louis Columbus, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2017/10/18/cloud-computing-market-projected-to-reach-411b-by-2020/#360c59e78f29