Episode Summary

In this episode of "Build Amazing Things Securely," host Laura Bell Main talks with Ben Goodman, founder and CEO of DragonDrop Cloud and the maintainer of Cloud Concierge. Ben discusses his journey from an economics and computer science background to becoming a tech entrepreneur. He shares insights into the importance of automating developer best practices using infrastructure as code tools like Terraform, highlighting the benefits for security, cost, and operational efficiency.

Key Points

1. Ben's Background: Transition from economics and data science to technology and entrepreneurship.
2. Automation of Infrastructure as Code: Focusing on solving manual tasks in cloud infrastructure using Terraform.
3. DragonDrop Cloud: Developing a solution to identify and manage changes in cloud infrastructure outside of the infrastructure as code workflow.
4. Challenges in Cloud Security: Discussing the risks of manual changes in cloud environments and the importance of consistent infrastructure management.
5. The Future of Infrastructure as Code: Looking at proactive scanning and CI/CD pipeline integration for cloud deployment.

Links and Resources

• DragonDrop Cloud: Visit the Website
• Cloud Concierge: GitHub Repository
• DevOps Days Buffalo: Conference Information

Homework

• Embrace Infrastructure as Code: Start using tools like Terraform to manage your cloud infrastructure for better security and efficiency.
• Monitor Cloud Changes: Be vigilant about unauthorized or manual changes in your cloud environment to maintain security and cost control.
• Contribute to Open Source: Engage with projects like Cloud Concierge to understand and improve cloud infrastructure management practices.