5 questions to...
Alessandro Spigaroli
Interview with the Executive Director Cloud & Infrastructure of Engineering.
Alessandro Spigaroli has been the Executive Director of Cloud & Infrastructure since 2022 and is also the CEO of ExtraRed, part of the Eng Group.
He leads a team of over 1,000 professionals focused on transitioning to public clouds through a balanced adoption of infrastructure services and cloud platforms (CIPS) from hyperscalers, while integrating them with private cloud solutions. The business units specialize in designing, implementing, and managing IT networks and infrastructures, offering technical support, operational management, and governance to ensure smooth integration and optimized resource use.
Previously, Alessandro served as CIO of Infrastructure at UniCredit, where he gained significant experience within the Crédit Agricole Group and Cedacri.
1. WITH THE INCREASING ADOPTION OF HYBRID AND MULTI-CLOUD ENVIRONMENTS, WHAT IS ENG'S APPROACH TO MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF USING MULTIPLE PROVIDERS?
We start by designing an architecture that promotes interoperability and composability, developing applications and infrastructures capable of operating seamlessly across different cloud platforms.
To achieve this, we standardize APIs and data formats, ensuring uniform communication between applications regardless of the cloud platform used. This simplifies and accelerates the migration of applications and data between various cloud service providers, reducing costs and complexity.
We adopt a bimodal approach to achieve these objectives: on the one hand, we offer consulting and advisory services to plan and implement new technologies; on the other hand, we manage existing technologies through evolutionary strategies and integration. The main benefit is the modernization of IT infrastructures without service interruption, ensuring continuity and efficiency.
Hybrid cloud is the reference model for organizations looking to digitally transform by combining the security and control of Private Cloud with the flexibility and scalability of Public Cloud.
Large organizations are increasingly adopting multi-cloud models to diversify the risk of dependency on providers. We cover a wide spectrum of infrastructures, from legacy systems to private and shared cloud platforms, and multi-cloud solutions on AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud.
Our strategy is based on integrated governance that combines the best features of traditional technologies and public and private cloud platforms, avoiding technology lock-in while offering security and scalability.
The adoption of a unified management platform centralizes cloud resource management, facilitating monitoring, management, and optimization, and improving the ability to respond quickly to problems or opportunities.
Additionally, fostering a culture of experimentation and learning within the IT team encourages the adoption of new technologies and approaches, improving business efficiency and agility, and ensuring a sustainable competitive advantage.
2. WHAT STRATEGIES CAN BE ADOPTED TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH STANDARDS OF SERVICE AND PERFORMANCE?
Managing cloud costs requires a clear strategy and a holistic approach.
The first step is to continuously monitor resources and costs with advanced tools that offer real-time visibility, identify waste, and optimize resource allocation. This reduces costs without compromising performance.
Cloud-native technologies such as microservices and containerization enable efficient scalability and resource usage on a pay-per-use basis. Dynamic scaling automatically adjusts resources based on demand, saving money during periods of low activity and maintaining performance during peak times.
It is also crucial to carefully evaluate pricing models such as consumption-based rates, reserved resources, and spot prices to take advantage of discounts and optimize costs. Cost governance with clear guidelines and spending limits ensures transparency and alignment with business goals.
Through FinOps models, we integrate financial and operational practices, promoting collaboration between financial, IT, and business teams. Spending analysis and forecasting tools support budgeting, identifying excess costs, and implementing optimization strategies.
In addition, continuous staff training on cost optimization strategies ensures that the company remains competitive and at the forefront of cloud usage.
3. WHAT SOLUTIONS CAN COMPANIES ADOPT TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF SENSITIVE DATA IN THE CLOUD, CONSIDERING THE GROWING ROLE OF TECHNOLOGIES LIKE AI?
Protecting data in the cloud requires a multi-layered approach. With the increasing use of advanced technologies, it is essential to safeguard information both during transmission and when stored, using robust algorithms and securely managed encryption keys. Additionally, implementing strict access control policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) is essential to prevent unauthorized access.
Constant monitoring of activities and logging access is equally crucial. Advanced solutions leveraging AI can detect anomalous behavior and potential threats by analyzing large amounts of data in real time, enabling prompt responses to security issues.
Having well-defined governance policies that clearly outline responsibilities and processes for managing data security is essential. This includes continuous staff training and regular audits to ensure compliance with current regulations.
A solid backup and disaster recovery plan is another key component. Backups must be performed regularly and stored in secure locations. Additionally, it is important to periodically test disaster recovery procedures to ensure the quick and secure recovery of data in case of emergency.
We offer high guarantees for the protection of sensitive data, also thanks to established partnerships with top industry providers, ensuring compliance with the strictest standards.
4. CLOUD IS EVOLVING FROM BEING JUST A TECHNOLOGICAL DRIVER TO BECOMING A REAL ENGINE OF INNOVATION. HOW DOES THE CLOUD NATIVE APPROACH FACILITATE THE CREATION OF COMPOSABLE MODELS?
Flexibility, scalability, and resilience define the cloud today, responding to the growing demands for innovation and adaptation to new technologies.
A key element of Cloud Native is microservices architecture, which breaks applications down into independent components communicating via defined APIs, facilitating independent and rapid updates and developments.
Containerization, another central aspect, packages applications and dependencies into portable units called containers, ensuring compatibility and consistency of execution across different environments. This simplifies the management, movement, and scalability of applications, facilitating the implementation and integration of new features.
We use orchestration tools such as Kubernetes to automate the deployment and management of containers, ensuring consistency and reliability.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) practices enable frequent updates, improving speed and efficiency in software development.
The use of standardized APIs and a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) promotes interoperability, creating modular and scalable application ecosystems, facilitating collaboration between teams, and integrating third-party services.
We promote a DevOps culture that emphasizes collaboration between development and operations teams, adopting agile and iterative practices and automating processes.
5. HOW TO EVOLVE AND EFFECTIVELY MANAGE THE DIGITAL WORKPLACE USING COLLABORATION TOOLS AND AI TO OPTIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVE THE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE?
The concept of the digital workplace has radically changed with the increase in remote and hybrid work, surpassing the boundaries of traditional offices. This has necessitated new work models and remote working policies to optimize productivity and efficiency.
AI plays a central role in this transformation, automating routine tasks and revolutionizing the way we work and make decisions. Virtual assistants handle daily requests, freeing up valuable time for higher-value activities. At the same time, machine learning algorithms analyze vast amounts of data, identifying trends and suggesting actions to improve business decision-making and productivity.
But AI doesn't stop at optimizing operations: it also personalizes the employee experience by tailoring tools and resources to individual needs. The recommendations provided by systems offer targeted suggestions on content and resources, while predictive analytics identify areas where training or personal development is needed. In this context, generative AI emerges as an innovative force, transforming corporate research and data analysis to promote efficiency and insights.
Our integrated digital workplace suite, with solutions for AI-enhanced virtual agents, allows us to move toward a smart workplace model. In this model, automation, integration, and accessibility merge to create a more productive and satisfying work environment, offering extended and centralized support, improving asset management and user request handling, and promoting a highly efficient and innovative work environment.
Flexibility, scalability, and resilience define the cloud today, responding to the growing demands for innovation and adaptation to new technologies.
Alessandro Spigaroli
Executive Director Cloud & Infrastructure, Engineering
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