Telkom Enhances Cloud Operations and Security with CloudSmiths’ Automated GCP Project Factory

Telkom, one of South Africa's leading providers of telecommunications services, streamlined its cloud operations and improved security across its Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environment with CloudSmiths’ customised Project Factory solution. This partnership, which began in March 2021, has enabled Telkom to automate project creation, maintain strict security protocols and manage cloud costs effectively.

Streamlining Cloud Operations for Africa’s Leading Telecom Provider

Telkom is one of the the largest providers of communication services in South Africa, offering mobile, home and business solutions,, fibre, wireless broadband and mobile internet services. With operations spanning across multiple business units, Telkom needed a solution to automate the setup of GCP projects. The traditional, manual configuration process was time-consuming, prone to inconsistencies and presented risks to security and budget management.

CloudSmiths, leveraging its experience with Google Cloud, developed a Project Factory for Telkom, a templated solution that automates the creation of GCP projects to meet precise security and operational standards. This automation has streamlined operations by reducing manual intervention and ensuring that each project is built according to Telkom’s specific requirements.

Automating GCP Project Creation with Built-in Security and Compliance

A key challenge for Telkom was ensuring that all GCP projects adhered to strict security standards without the need for constant oversight. CloudSmiths’ Project Factory addressed this by enforcing security policies and compliance rules within the project creation process. Guardrails were implemented to ensure that all new projects followed Telkom’s governance standards from the start, reducing the potential for human error and enhancing overall security.

By automating project creation, Telkom could ensure that every GCP project was set up consistently, with the necessary security configurations applied automatically. This allowed Telkom’s teams to focus on more strategic initiatives rather than manual configurations and security checks.

Ensuring Efficient Cloud Resource Management and Cost Control

In addition to improving security, CloudSmiths also embedded cost management features into the Project Factory. Telkom required clear visibility into cloud spending across its business units and the solution provided billing alerts and quotas that enabled proactive monitoring of cloud expenditures. These controls ensured that all GCP projects stayed within budget, helping Telkom manage its cloud resources efficiently.

With real-time visibility into cloud usage and costs, Telkom’s teams were able to avoid unexpected expenses and ensure that resources were allocated in the most effective manner.

Leveraging Google Cloud’s Services for Seamless Operations

CloudSmiths utilised several Google Cloud products and services to create an optimised cloud environment for Telkom. The integration of Google Workspace for collaboration, Google BigQuery for data analytics and Cloud Storage for data management allowed Telkom’s teams to work efficiently and securely across their cloud operations.

Additionally, CloudSmiths implemented Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies through tools like Cloud ID, SailPoint, CyberArk and Active Directory. This strengthened Telkom’s security protocols by ensuring seamless, secure access to cloud resources across the organisation.

Key Achievements of the Partnership

• Automated GCP Project Creation: The Project Factory streamlined the creation of GCP projects, ensuring consistency and compliance across Telkom’s cloud environment.
• Enhanced Security and Compliance: Automated security guardrails and policies were implemented, reducing the need for manual oversight and improving overall security.
• Proactive Cost Management: Built-in billing alerts and cost tracking provided Telkom with full visibility into their cloud expenditures, ensuring projects remained within budget.
• Increased Efficiency: By automating project creation, Telkom reduced the time and effort required for manual configurations, allowing teams to focus on strategic tasks.

Empowering Telkom to Innovate Faster

The implementation of CloudSmiths’ Project Factory has been transformative for Telkom, enabling the company to streamline its cloud operations and focus on innovation. With automated security and cost controls in place, Telkom has been able to accelerate project deployments and reduce the risks associated with manual configurations.

This automated approach has provided Telkom with the flexibility to quickly adapt to new business needs while maintaining the highest standards of security and operational efficiency.

Long-Term Impact and Future Growth

Telkom’s partnership with CloudSmiths, which began in March 2021 and continues through 2025, has positioned the company for continued growth and innovation. As Telkom continues to expand its use of Google Cloud, the Project Factory will play a key role in ensuring consistent, secure and cost-effective project management.

With CloudSmiths’ support, Telkom is well-equipped to continue leading the African telecommunications sector, delivering enhanced services to its customers and driving digital transformation across the continent.