Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Mastering code automation

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) automates the management and provisioning of IT infrastructure through computer code.

Discover, thanks to this essay, the definition, the advantages and the risks of this type of tools.

Definition :

Infrastructure as Code, is a type of IT configuration that allows developers and operations technicians to automatically manage and provision IT infrastructure through code without going through manual processes.

Infrastructure as Code can be used across the IT landscape. However, it is particularly essential for Cloud Computing, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS). Similarly, DevOps requires agile workflows and automated workflows that can only be achieved with the assurance of a continuously available IT infrastructure.

This infrastructure is essential to run and test the developed code.

1. The advantages

Infrastructure as Code brings several major benefits. First of all, it allows companies to reduce Shadow IT, i.e. the use of IT systems without the explicit approval of the company, especially by departments other than the IT department.

Indeed, most of the time, shadow IT is due to the inability of IT departments to react in time to the needs of other departments concerning the improvements of the systems and the IT infrastructure. This can pose significant security risks and unpredictable costs to the business…