The right (and wrong) approach to Infrastructure as Code

Common IaC mistakes and how to avoid them

Imagine deploying your infrastructure with the promise of automation, scalability, and efficiency, only to find your systems misconfigured, your data exposed, and your compliance at risk. For businesses looking to modernise, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) offers a transformative solution. But without careful planning, the very benefits it promises can quickly become its biggest pitfalls. Poor implementation can lead to IaC security vulnerabilities, compliance risks, and misconfigurations that undermine your cloud strategy.

Many businesses think deploying Infrastructure as Code is as simple as writing Terraform or Bicep scripts. However, IaC adoption is more than just automation, it requires governance, continuous monitoring, and adherence to Infrastructure as Code best practices to prevent common pitfalls.

1. Treating IaC as a one-time project

Why is Infrastructure as Code important beyond deployment?

One of the biggest Infrastructure as Code pitfalls is assuming IaC is a ‘set it and forget it’ solution. Infrastructure evolves constantly, and if your IaC scripts aren’t updated, you risk drift, compliance failures, and security vulnerabilities.

How to avoid drift in IaC:

• Monitor continuously: Implement IaC automation with drift detection tools.
• Regular audits: Keep your configurations aligned with real-time infrastructure.
• Enforce version control: Use GitOps or similar strategies for managing changes.

2. Choosing the wrong IaC tools

What are the best Infrastructure as Code tools?

Selecting the right IaC tools is crucial for success. Azure Infrastructure as Code tools like Bicep work well within Microsoft environments, while AWS Infrastructure as Code users often leverage AWS CloudFormation or Terraform.

Best Infrastructure as Code tools based on needs:

• For multi-cloud flexibility: Use Terraform.
• For AWS-native deployments: Choose AWS CloudFormation.
• For Azure environments: Opt for Azure Bicep or ARM templates.

Working with an IT managed service provider (MSP) can help you discern which cloud provider and tools are right for your business and IT estate. A poor choice of IaC tool can lead to vendor lock-in, complex migrations, and inefficiencies. While many organisations seek vendor consolidation, to avoid the pitfalls of lock-in, it's best to work with an IT MSP who is not tied to specific vendors or hyperscalers. This way, you can ensure you’re selecting the right solution for your organisation’s needs, without being restricted by your IT partner.

3. Ignoring IaC security and compliance

How to use Infrastructure as Code securely

A major IaC compliance challenge is neglecting security in the automation process. Misconfigurations in IaC can expose sensitive data and increase cyber threats.

IaC security best practices:

• Adopt Policy as Code (PaC): Tools like Open Policy Agent (OPA) enforce security policies.
• Perform security scans: Use tools like AWS Config for compliance checks.
• Limit exposure: Avoid hardcoding secrets in your Infrastructure as Code files.
• Secure the TF state file: Ensure the Terraform (TF) state file is encrypted and stored securely. This file contains sensitive information about your infrastructure and must be protected to prevent unauthorised access.

Neglecting IaC security can result in cybersecurity vulnerabilities that leave you exposed to potential cyber attacks and potential breaches. Make cybersecurity an integral part of your IaC implementation to safeguard your systems and data.

4. Lack of standardisation across teams

How to implement Infrastructure as Code consistently?

When teams use different Infrastructure as Code principles, it leads to inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and IaC code quality and maintainability issues.

Best practices for standardisation:

• Use shared Terraform modules or CloudFormation templates.
• Establish a central IaC Style Guide for teams to follow.
• Conduct regular training on IaC best practices and common mistakes.

Standardisation ensures a scalable, secure, and efficient Infrastructure as Code environment.

How Claranet helped a global retailer standardise IaC

A global retailer was facing serious IaC pitfalls that were directly impacting their business operations. Different teams were using a variety of IaC tools, which led to inconsistent configurations, security gaps, and operational inefficiencies. This caused frequent misconfigurations, downtime, and security vulnerabilities that put sensitive data at risk. Additionally, the retailer struggled with managing a multi-tenancy cloud environment, which added complexity and made it difficult to maintain visibility across different teams and regions.

Claranet’s solution:

• We consolidated their approach using Terraform, enabling multi-cloud compatibility and better control over their infrastructure.
• Implemented automated security policies to reduce misconfigurations, ensuring compliance and enhancing security.
• Standardised deployments, resulting in a 60% reduction in infrastructure errors, improving both performance and reliability.

By adopting IaC best practices, the retailer transformed their infrastructure management, achieving a secure, scalable, and consistent environment that could grow with their business needs.

How to test and improve Infrastructure as Code

Mastering IaC implementation requires continuous testing, security enforcement, and strategic planning. Businesses that fail to address IaC security vulnerabilities, such as misconfigured security groups or inadequate access control will struggle with inefficiencies like slow deployments, excessive downtime, or inconsistent environments.

To avoid these pitfalls and improve the effectiveness of your IaC, consider working with an IT MSP to help you choose the best tools for your business needs and provide guidance on best practices.

Key takeaways:

• Treat IaC as an ongoing process, not a one-time setup.
• Work with an MSP to help you choose the best Infrastructure as Code tools based on your needs.
• Prioritise security, compliance, and drift detection.
• Standardise IaC principles across teams for consistency.

Want to take your IaC strategy to the next level? Contact one of our cloud experts or stay tuned for our next blog on how to implement Infrastructure as Code with the right technologies!