Telkom Streamlines Google Cloud Operations with Custom Project Factory

Building a Custom Project Factory for GCP Compliance

Telkom required a solution that would allow for the seamless creation of GCP projects, each conforming to a specific set of security and networking requirements. The traditional approach of manually configuring each project was time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies, which posed a risk to both security and budget management. To overcome this, CloudSmiths developed a Project Factory—a templatised solution that automates the creation of GCP projects, ensuring that each project is built according to Telkom’s precise specifications.

The Project Factory was built using Google Cloud products and services, including Google Workspace for collaboration, Private VPC Endpoints for secure access, Google BigQuery for data analytics, and Cloud Storage for data management. By utilising Private VPC Endpoints, we established secure private connections that allowed Telkom's teams to access cloud resources without exposing them to the public internet. This was crucial in maintaining the security of Telkom’s cloud environment.

Automating Security and Compliance

A key challenge for Telkom was ensuring that all new GCP projects adhered to strict security standards and network configurations without requiring constant oversight from engineering and security teams. The Project Factory addressed this by automating security scanning and implementing guardrails that enforce compliance with Telkom's security policies from the outset.

The solution also included an automated process for network setup, ensuring that all IP tunnels were correctly utilised and that the network topology met Telkom’s requirements. This not only streamlined the project creation process but also reduced the potential for human error, thereby enhancing the overall security and reliability of Telkom’s GCP environment.

Ensuring Operational Efficiency and Cost Management

In addition to security and compliance, Telkom needed a way to manage costs effectively as they expanded their use of GCP. The Project Factory was designed with built-in billing alerts and quotas, ensuring that all projects remain within budget and that Telkom’s teams have visibility into their cloud expenditures. This proactive approach to cost management helps Telkom avoid unexpected expenses and ensures that resources are used efficiently.

Furthermore, by automating the creation of GCP projects, the Project Factory has significantly reduced the time and effort required to deploy new projects, allowing Telkom’s teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. The ability to quickly and securely spin up new projects has empowered Telkom to innovate faster and respond more effectively to the needs of their customers across the continent.

A Scalable Solution for Continued Growth

The implementation of the Project Factory has not only addressed Telkom’s immediate needs but has also positioned the company for future growth. With this solution in place, anyone at Telkom can now create GCP projects that automatically comply with the company’s specific security and networking requirements. This ensures consistency across all projects and enables Telkom to scale their cloud operations with confidence.