Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation

In this episode of Altitude, Justin Payne, Senior Infrastructure Security Architect at Mueller Water Products (MWP), shares his firsthand experience of navigating the challenges posed by outdated hardware and limited resources while transitioning to the cloud. With an impressive three decades of IT expertise, Justin has been a dedicated member of the MWP team for the past ten years.

MWP, founded over 160 years ago, is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of fire hydrants, gate valves, and other water infrastructure products in North America. During the housing downfall in the late 2000s, MWP faced significant obstacles. Outdated hardware and resources hindered their ability to meet the company's growing demands, prompting their migration to AWS cloud. Justin has been at the forefront of cloud transformation, ensuring that MWP keeps up with advancements in cloud technology to maximize efficiency and drive growth.

Learn more about Altitude and the host: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/

In this episode, Woody and Justin discuss:

[00:03:19] Transitioning to AWS to improve agility
[00:08:47] Adapting to cloud, challenges, and research
[00:11:54] AWS setup challenged by limitations and security concerns
[00:15:37] Cloud cost expectations vs reality, MWP’s maturity, cost mitigation, cloud-first strategy
[00:19:40] High cost of bringing in contractors with AWS expertise to bridge the skills gap, seeking the tools and talent to operate moving forward
[00:22:23] Cloud security as a big concern due to lack of control and elevated permissions, creating a secure and efficient infrastructure with Aviatrix, MWP’s zero trust environment with strict security measures
[00:26:24] Relying solely on the Internet for IoT connectivity has proven to be insecure and unreliable; the use of private networks and VPNs as the preferred approach for IoT applications
[00:31:24] What makes moving to the cloud worth it, maximizing product features quickly with AWS
[00:34:21] Proactive maintenance saves time and money.

To connect with Justin, head to his LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-payne-57376b11/

In this episode of Altitude, Woody has the opportunity to sit down with Mohamed Ghassen, Cloud Security Engineer at SAP. He is also an Aviatrix Certified Engineer (ACE) Multicloud Network Design Expert, the highest level of the ACE Multicloud Networking and Security certification track.

Woody and Mohamed discuss the paradigm shift required for cloud security, emphasizing the importance of integrating security during the design phase rather than treating it as an add-on feature. They also discuss the need for improved collaboration between security and DevOps professionals and how multicloud is the current trend that calls for standardization across various cloud providers.

Connect with Mohamed on LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/in/mohamed-ghassen-gargouri/

Learn more about becoming certified in multicloud networking:
https://aviatrix.com/ace/

Enlightening, but frightening - what does AI have in store for us? Today, guest Zach Hughes, joins Woody to speculate the answer.

Zach is the VP of IT at CHS, one of the industry's leading agriculture businesses that is uniquely owned by the farmers. He is also one of the industry's leading experts on the principles and practices of leadership.

In their discussion today, Woody and Zach discuss the consumerism state in which AI seems to currently sit, current capabilities, and a brilliant look into the meaning of 'creativity' when it comes to AI with an example in music.

Have a read of Zach's recent words on AI here:

https://zachonleadership.com/the-ai-article/

https://zachonleadership.com/automation-is-for-humans-not-the-other-way-around/

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharybhughes/

On this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by John Bristol, Practice Leader at Enterprise Vision Technologies. 

John is highly experienced in the IT industry and through his work at EVT, where he helps customers transform their legacy network environments to a more automated, secure, multicloud network architecture.

In their discussion today, Woody and John discuss cloud networking, but from the angle of the system integrator and the IT practitioner - a new approach for the show. They explore the constraints of native cloud services that increase costs and the problems that a full automation platform would solve for his business and customers.

Follow John on LinkedIn here.

Explore the Enterprise Vision Technologies website here.

In a special episode of Altitude, Woody hosts a roundtable with two great minds in cloud --Toby Foss, Director of Network Operations at Informatica, and Chris McHenry, Head of Security Solutions at Aviatrix. Together, they discuss the outcome of existing security patterns in cloud and how those patterns are working or not working. They explore alternative architectural approaches, what a distributed network security system requires to be successful, and "must-do's" in cloud security.
 
Toby has been involved in IT since 1992, spanning government, public, and private sectors. He is also in the process of getting a Ph.D. in cybersecurity and computer science. Chris is passionate about cybersecurity and specializes in secure multi cloud networking.
 
To learn more about Toby and Chris, head to their LinkedIns:
Toby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobyfoss
Chris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mchenry-475a0738/

On this episode of Altitude, Woody speaks with Zac Smith, the Global Head of Edge Infrastructure Services at Equinix, the world's largest operator of interconnected data centers. He is also the co-founder of Packet, which was acquired by Equinix and focused on automating computers and networks for developer-centric infrastructure.

Zac shares insights into the history and culture of Equinix, which has built a global network of over 250 interconnected data centers through a programmatic backbone. You’ll learn how Equinix commits to an open ecosystem model and reduces infrastructure friction, making it easy for customers to build their networks. The conversation also explores how automation is non-negotiable and requires a cultural change to embrace a certain amount of calculated risk. Zac also highlights sustainability in network infrastructure and how virtualization can help reduce waste.

Connect with Zac on LinkedIn

Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Steve Saunders, networking guru and founder of Silverlinings, which provides a reputable daily source of news, analysis, and strategy for cloud infrastructure. Steve is also Vice Chairman of the Board of Laser Light Communications, which is building the world's first all-optical carrier network in space.

Together, they explore 5G’s impact on the future of cloud, the “telco-ification” of public cloud, how edge will change to encompass 5G, the importance of building resilient infrastructure against API attacks and digital sprawl, and the rise of cloud native API protection. The conversation also covers AI intelligent overlays in cloud networking and Steve’s thoughts on Aviatrix’s role in the industry, describing Aviatrix as an “outsourced R&D department for the industry.”

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn and learn more about his work in providing information on the complex space of communications industry transformation.

Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody is joined by Chris McHenry, Director of Solution Strategy at Aviatrix, for a deep dive into the world of zero-trust networking. Chris shares his expertise on this increasingly important security paradigm, which focuses on proactive prevention rather than simply detecting threats.

Drawing from the history of enterprise security and the evolution of firewalls, Chris highlights how zero-trust networking has gained momentum as a more powerful way to protect networks from potential breaches. The conversation touches on the limitations of traditional threat detection methods, which have become less effective as attackers have grown more sophisticated.

Woody and Chris discuss how high-profile cyber attacks, like those involving tax software in Ukraine and the SolarWinds supply chain attack, have driven a shift in focus towards zero trust security. By adopting this approach, organizations can ensure that no user or device is automatically trusted, and security teams can stay one step ahead of potential threats.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn and learn more about his extensive background in network security.

Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com

On this episode of Altitude, Woody invites former colleague and friend Heather Sze, Principal Cloud Solution Architect in Security at Microsoft, onto the show to discuss cloud security – a top barrier to cloud adoption. 

From Heather’s experiences as an IT manager at Morgan Stanley and Deloitte & Touche, a technical solutions architect at Cisco, and now an Azure principal cloud solution architect, she shares valuable insights on succeeding as a woman in technology, as well as what she has seen shift in security over the years. Together, Woody and Heather discuss perimeter-based security on-premises versus zero trust security in the cloud, the new skills and mindset required when approaching security in the cloud, and how AI has changed the game.

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn and learn more about her incredible 25-year career.

Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation is brought to you by Aviatrix. To learn more about how Aegon, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Heineken, Raytheon Technologies, and many more have succeeded in cloud networking, visit aviatrix.com.