Introduction

Nikel, a young and creative technology firm, wants to enhance the performance, security, and operational effectiveness of its infrastructure within the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environment. In partnership with Searce, Nikel set out on a mission to improve its IT operations and strengthen the dependability and security of its infrastructure.

Challenges

Nikel's GCP environment presented a number of difficulties, including the need for compliance improvements, SSL certificate management, effective resource monitoring, automated backups for Cloud DNS records, and the avoidance of unplanned application outages brought on by package upgrades. In order to pinpoint areas for improvement across crucial pillars (security, operational excellence, reliability, performance efficiency, and cost optimization) Nikel desired a comprehensive assessment of its infrastructure.

Searce Solution

Leveraging our expertise in cloud solutions and GCP, the solvers at Searce devised a multifaceted approach to address Nikel's challenges and transform its infrastructure. Including:

• PostgreSQL Database Upgrade: We successfully upgraded Nikel's PostgreSQL database from version 10.23 to version 13 on GCE VMs. This upgrade not only catered to compliance requirements but also provided improved performance and heightened data security.
• SSL Certificate Management Automation: To simplify SSL certificate renewals, we initiated the centralization of Let's Encrypt SSL certificate renewal automation across Nikel's different environments. This centralization streamlined the process and provided efficient monitoring from a single location.
• Resource Monitoring and Alerting: We implemented a custom monitoring system that notified Nikel Team through Slack channels whenever automated start/stop events occurred for GKE Nodes, CloudSQL VMs, and GCE VMs in non-production environments. This proactive approach ensured prompt identification of failures and swift corrective actions.
• Cloud DNS Backup Automation: Recognizing Nikel's requirement for daily backups of Cloud DNS records, our team designed an automation solution that backed up records to Google Cloud Storage. The integration of alerting mechanisms through Slack informed Nikel about the status of daily backups, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Preventing Unexpected Package Upgrades: We established an OS Update Policy that prevented automatic upgrades of critical packages during patching activities. This preventative measure effectively minimized the risk of unexpected package upgrades causing application downtime.
• Cloud Wellness Review Reports: Conducting an extensive assessment, we generated Cloud Wellness Review reports for Nikel's Dev, Staging, Pre-prod, and Prod GCP Projects. These reports comprehensively covered security, operational excellence, reliability and performance efficiency, and cost optimization. The reports offered valuable insights, recommendations, and mitigation strategies, allowing Nikel to make informed decisions about its infrastructure's scalability and security.

Results

The collaborative efforts between Nikel and Searce resulted in significant improvements across multiple dimensions of Nikel's GCP infrastructure including:

• Enhanced Security and Compliance: The PostgreSQL upgrade and comprehensive assessment of security practices fortified Nikel's infrastructure against potential threats and enhanced compliance with industry standards.
• Operational Efficiency: SSL certificate management automation, resource monitoring, and Cloud DNS backup automation streamlined operations, reducing manual intervention and potential errors.
• Data Integrity: Automated backups of Cloud DNS records ensured daily data backups, bolstering data integrity and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Reduced Downtime Risk: The prevention of unexpected package upgrades through the OS Update Policy minimized the risk of application downtime due to unforeseen system changes.
• Informed Decision-Making: he Cloud Wellness Review reports provided Nikel with actionable insights and recommendations for optimizing infrastructure across various dimensions, fostering better decision-making for future projects.

Conclusion

Through the strategic partnership with us, Nikel successfully transformed its GCP infrastructure, reaping the benefits of enhanced security, operational efficiency, and overall reliability. The comprehensive solutions implemented by our team enabled Nikel to proactively address challenges and position itself for sustained growth and innovation within its technology landscape.