WesterCloud
@westercloud.bsky.social
Azure Cloud, Security & FinOps
https://www.westercloud.nl/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/westercloud/
https://www.westercloud.nl/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/westercloud/
Cloud cost management is no longer about efficiency but strategy.
94% of organizations still struggle with cloud spend. FinOps unites finance, ops & tech around real-time data to drive accountability, predictability and growth.
How mature is your FinOps practice?
#FinOps #CloudEconomics
94% of organizations still struggle with cloud spend. FinOps unites finance, ops & tech around real-time data to drive accountability, predictability and growth.
How mature is your FinOps practice?
#FinOps #CloudEconomics
November 11, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Cloud cost management is no longer about efficiency but strategy.
94% of organizations still struggle with cloud spend. FinOps unites finance, ops & tech around real-time data to drive accountability, predictability and growth.
How mature is your FinOps practice?
#FinOps #CloudEconomics
94% of organizations still struggle with cloud spend. FinOps unites finance, ops & tech around real-time data to drive accountability, predictability and growth.
How mature is your FinOps practice?
#FinOps #CloudEconomics
The AI boom has an unexpected side effect: a revival of the fossil fuel industry.
In Texas and Louisiana, AI firms are building data centers next to gas fields, powering their servers with extracted gas. The result? More emissions, water stress, and financial risk. #GreenOps #Cloud #Sustainability
In Texas and Louisiana, AI firms are building data centers next to gas fields, powering their servers with extracted gas. The result? More emissions, water stress, and financial risk. #GreenOps #Cloud #Sustainability
November 4, 2025 at 11:09 AM
The AI boom has an unexpected side effect: a revival of the fossil fuel industry.
In Texas and Louisiana, AI firms are building data centers next to gas fields, powering their servers with extracted gas. The result? More emissions, water stress, and financial risk. #GreenOps #Cloud #Sustainability
In Texas and Louisiana, AI firms are building data centers next to gas fields, powering their servers with extracted gas. The result? More emissions, water stress, and financial risk. #GreenOps #Cloud #Sustainability
Cybersecurity belongs in the boardroom.
Microsoft’s 2025 Digital Security Report urges leaders to treat it as a strategic business risk, not just a technical issue.
Recent attacks, like the one on Jaguar Land Rover, show how quickly incidents can become full-blown crises.
#Cybersecurity #Leadership
Microsoft’s 2025 Digital Security Report urges leaders to treat it as a strategic business risk, not just a technical issue.
Recent attacks, like the one on Jaguar Land Rover, show how quickly incidents can become full-blown crises.
#Cybersecurity #Leadership
November 3, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Cybersecurity belongs in the boardroom.
Microsoft’s 2025 Digital Security Report urges leaders to treat it as a strategic business risk, not just a technical issue.
Recent attacks, like the one on Jaguar Land Rover, show how quickly incidents can become full-blown crises.
#Cybersecurity #Leadership
Microsoft’s 2025 Digital Security Report urges leaders to treat it as a strategic business risk, not just a technical issue.
Recent attacks, like the one on Jaguar Land Rover, show how quickly incidents can become full-blown crises.
#Cybersecurity #Leadership
Many IT vendors claim to be sustainable. But real GreenOps goes beyond marketing: reduce compute waste, measure CO₂ per workload, and optimize cloud for both cost and carbon. Smarter FinOps means lower emissions. Need help? Contact us. #GreenOps #FinOps #CloudSustainability #ITLeadership #NetZero
October 29, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Many IT vendors claim to be sustainable. But real GreenOps goes beyond marketing: reduce compute waste, measure CO₂ per workload, and optimize cloud for both cost and carbon. Smarter FinOps means lower emissions. Need help? Contact us. #GreenOps #FinOps #CloudSustainability #ITLeadership #NetZero
Cloud and AI drive innovation, but security doesn’t always keep up.
SLAs promise uptime and performance, yet miss data protection and compliance, creating a responsibility gap.
The key is not to avoid risk but to manage it intelligently.
#CloudSecurity #AI #CyberSecurity #RiskManagement #Innovation
SLAs promise uptime and performance, yet miss data protection and compliance, creating a responsibility gap.
The key is not to avoid risk but to manage it intelligently.
#CloudSecurity #AI #CyberSecurity #RiskManagement #Innovation
October 24, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Cloud and AI drive innovation, but security doesn’t always keep up.
SLAs promise uptime and performance, yet miss data protection and compliance, creating a responsibility gap.
The key is not to avoid risk but to manage it intelligently.
#CloudSecurity #AI #CyberSecurity #RiskManagement #Innovation
SLAs promise uptime and performance, yet miss data protection and compliance, creating a responsibility gap.
The key is not to avoid risk but to manage it intelligently.
#CloudSecurity #AI #CyberSecurity #RiskManagement #Innovation
Stop building for a million users when you don’t have ten. Many startups waste on complex infrastructure before anyone wants their product. Build small, test fast, learn continuously, and scale only when the market demands it. Focus on customers, cost, and deploy speed. #Startup #LeanStartup #Growth
October 20, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Stop building for a million users when you don’t have ten. Many startups waste on complex infrastructure before anyone wants their product. Build small, test fast, learn continuously, and scale only when the market demands it. Focus on customers, cost, and deploy speed. #Startup #LeanStartup #Growth
The James Webb Telescope just got a sharper eye, thanks to lightweight AI. Two PhD students built Amigo, software that fixes image distortions and runs on a gaming PC. No supercomputer, no new hardware: just smart, practical AI making world-class science clearer.
#AI #Innovation #Astronomy
#AI #Innovation #Astronomy
October 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The James Webb Telescope just got a sharper eye, thanks to lightweight AI. Two PhD students built Amigo, software that fixes image distortions and runs on a gaming PC. No supercomputer, no new hardware: just smart, practical AI making world-class science clearer.
#AI #Innovation #Astronomy
#AI #Innovation #Astronomy
F5 Networks confirms state-backed hackers had long-term access to its systems, stealing source code and customer data. A stark reminder that even cybersecurity vendors are vulnerable. How well do you really know your supply chain?
#Cybersecurity #CISO #SupplyChainRisk #Infosec #CloudSecurity #F5
#Cybersecurity #CISO #SupplyChainRisk #Infosec #CloudSecurity #F5
October 16, 2025 at 9:17 AM
F5 Networks confirms state-backed hackers had long-term access to its systems, stealing source code and customer data. A stark reminder that even cybersecurity vendors are vulnerable. How well do you really know your supply chain?
#Cybersecurity #CISO #SupplyChainRisk #Infosec #CloudSecurity #F5
#Cybersecurity #CISO #SupplyChainRisk #Infosec #CloudSecurity #F5
Many CIOs are shifting from cost-cutting to real cost optimization. Yet 79% of organizations still miss their goals. Common pitfalls include underinvesting in foundations, short-term fixes, and poor cloud management, all eroding long-term value. Need help? Contact us.
#FinOps #CIO #CostOptimization
#FinOps #CIO #CostOptimization
October 14, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Many CIOs are shifting from cost-cutting to real cost optimization. Yet 79% of organizations still miss their goals. Common pitfalls include underinvesting in foundations, short-term fixes, and poor cloud management, all eroding long-term value. Need help? Contact us.
#FinOps #CIO #CostOptimization
#FinOps #CIO #CostOptimization
AI project costs are spiraling fast. Nearly a quarter of orgs exceed budgets by 50%+, driven by hidden costs in data, integration, LLM tokens, and network traffic. The fix? Apply FinOps: track, measure, and align AI spend with real business value and accountability.
#AI #FinOps #CIO #ITCost
#AI #FinOps #CIO #ITCost
October 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
The Sunweb breach shows how fast stolen data can be weaponized. Criminals used real booking details for convincing phishing. Once data leaks, social engineering becomes the key weapon. How resilient is your org when attackers use your own data?
#CyberSecurity #DataBreach #Phishing #RiskManagement
#CyberSecurity #DataBreach #Phishing #RiskManagement
October 8, 2025 at 5:25 AM
The Sunweb breach shows how fast stolen data can be weaponized. Criminals used real booking details for convincing phishing. Once data leaks, social engineering becomes the key weapon. How resilient is your org when attackers use your own data?
#CyberSecurity #DataBreach #Phishing #RiskManagement
#CyberSecurity #DataBreach #Phishing #RiskManagement
Even the cloud can burn.
South Korea’s G-Drive (the gov's central cloud system) was wiped out in a data center fire. No backup. Eight years of data lost.
A reminder that “in the cloud” doesn’t mean “safe.” True resilience comes from redundancy, not blind trust.
#CloudResilience #Backup #Disaster
South Korea’s G-Drive (the gov's central cloud system) was wiped out in a data center fire. No backup. Eight years of data lost.
A reminder that “in the cloud” doesn’t mean “safe.” True resilience comes from redundancy, not blind trust.
#CloudResilience #Backup #Disaster
October 6, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Even the cloud can burn.
South Korea’s G-Drive (the gov's central cloud system) was wiped out in a data center fire. No backup. Eight years of data lost.
A reminder that “in the cloud” doesn’t mean “safe.” True resilience comes from redundancy, not blind trust.
#CloudResilience #Backup #Disaster
South Korea’s G-Drive (the gov's central cloud system) was wiped out in a data center fire. No backup. Eight years of data lost.
A reminder that “in the cloud” doesn’t mean “safe.” True resilience comes from redundancy, not blind trust.
#CloudResilience #Backup #Disaster
Cloud efficiency often leads to higher costs.
As the Jevons paradox shows, greater efficiency drives greater use. In cloud, cheaper and faster resources fuel more consumption. The challenge isn’t cutting spend, but maximizing value per euro invested
#FinOps #CloudStrategy #DigitalTransformation #CIO
As the Jevons paradox shows, greater efficiency drives greater use. In cloud, cheaper and faster resources fuel more consumption. The challenge isn’t cutting spend, but maximizing value per euro invested
#FinOps #CloudStrategy #DigitalTransformation #CIO
October 4, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Cloud efficiency often leads to higher costs.
As the Jevons paradox shows, greater efficiency drives greater use. In cloud, cheaper and faster resources fuel more consumption. The challenge isn’t cutting spend, but maximizing value per euro invested
#FinOps #CloudStrategy #DigitalTransformation #CIO
As the Jevons paradox shows, greater efficiency drives greater use. In cloud, cheaper and faster resources fuel more consumption. The challenge isn’t cutting spend, but maximizing value per euro invested
#FinOps #CloudStrategy #DigitalTransformation #CIO
GreenOps isn’t just an idealistic sustainability project: it’s a practical way to link efficiency to impact. Start with energy use awareness, a strong business case, data on costs and emissions, and exec buy-in. The result: cost reduction, risk control, and competitive advantage. #GreenOps #FinOps
October 2, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Virtualization and containerization aren’t rivals but partners. Virtualization ensures stability and isolation, while containerization drives speed and innovation. Together they cut costs, reduce risk, and accelerate business value. How far is your organization?
#Cloud #ITStrategy #Innovation
#Cloud #ITStrategy #Innovation
September 30, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Virtualization and containerization aren’t rivals but partners. Virtualization ensures stability and isolation, while containerization drives speed and innovation. Together they cut costs, reduce risk, and accelerate business value. How far is your organization?
#Cloud #ITStrategy #Innovation
#Cloud #ITStrategy #Innovation
Insider threats are on the rise: 76% of orgs see more insider activity, yet fewer than 30% feel ready to respond. Errors, phishing, and weak passwords cause most cases, malice is only part of the story. Global costs run into millions. How resilient is your org today? #CyberSecurity #InsiderThreats
September 25, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Insider threats are on the rise: 76% of orgs see more insider activity, yet fewer than 30% feel ready to respond. Errors, phishing, and weak passwords cause most cases, malice is only part of the story. Global costs run into millions. How resilient is your org today? #CyberSecurity #InsiderThreats
A new global survey shows 94% of IT leaders struggle to control cloud costs, now the #1 challenge in IT spend. With AI workloads scaling fast, FinOps is key to making budgets predictable, securing governance, and linking cloud to real business value. How is your org handling it? #FinOps #Cloud #AI
September 24, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Employees are racing ahead of employers in AI use. Only 36% work at firms with formal AI policies, yet 80% view AI positively and 64% say it boosts productivity. With many even paying out of pocket, companies must now step up on governance, compliance, and security.
#AI #Governance #Cybersecurity
#AI #Governance #Cybersecurity
September 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Employees are racing ahead of employers in AI use. Only 36% work at firms with formal AI policies, yet 80% view AI positively and 64% say it boosts productivity. With many even paying out of pocket, companies must now step up on governance, compliance, and security.
#AI #Governance #Cybersecurity
#AI #Governance #Cybersecurity
Big-bang IT projects are fading. Companies favor modular steps that deliver quick value and can be stopped if they fail. This shift aligns with FinOps/GreenOps: optimizing spend, capacity, sustainability. The future of IT is agile, efficient, people-driven.
#FinOps #GreenOps #DigitalTransformation
#FinOps #GreenOps #DigitalTransformation
September 15, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Big-bang IT projects are fading. Companies favor modular steps that deliver quick value and can be stopped if they fail. This shift aligns with FinOps/GreenOps: optimizing spend, capacity, sustainability. The future of IT is agile, efficient, people-driven.
#FinOps #GreenOps #DigitalTransformation
#FinOps #GreenOps #DigitalTransformation
Blackout risk: Dutch government unprepared for major IT failures. A new report warns that core systems could collapse without a plan B. Dependency on a few vendors increases the threat. Digital resilience is no longer optional, it’s a matter of continuity.
#Cybersecurity #Resilience #Continuity
#Cybersecurity #Resilience #Continuity
September 12, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Blackout risk: Dutch government unprepared for major IT failures. A new report warns that core systems could collapse without a plan B. Dependency on a few vendors increases the threat. Digital resilience is no longer optional, it’s a matter of continuity.
#Cybersecurity #Resilience #Continuity
#Cybersecurity #Resilience #Continuity
Azure users face delays after undersea cables in the Red Sea were damaged. Microsoft rerouted traffic, but the outage shows how fragile global infrastructure is. Redundancy, continuity tests, and risk monitoring are key. How resilient is your cloud strategy when disruption hits? #Azure #ITResilience
September 11, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Azure users face delays after undersea cables in the Red Sea were damaged. Microsoft rerouted traffic, but the outage shows how fragile global infrastructure is. Redundancy, continuity tests, and risk monitoring are key. How resilient is your cloud strategy when disruption hits? #Azure #ITResilience
The Van der Valk Hotels-breach shows how one phishing click can expose customer data and enable fraud. Poor communication makes it worse: hiding incidents increases risk. Cybersecurity is about tech, awareness, and governance. Transparency is key. #cybersecurity #databreach #securityawareness
September 10, 2025 at 6:47 AM
The Van der Valk Hotels-breach shows how one phishing click can expose customer data and enable fraud. Poor communication makes it worse: hiding incidents increases risk. Cybersecurity is about tech, awareness, and governance. Transparency is key. #cybersecurity #databreach #securityawareness
We often see job titles that don’t match the actual work. Example: a role called “FinOps Specialist” that’s really finance ops: billing, bookkeeping, reporting. True cloud FinOps is about cost optimization, visibility, and cross-team collaboration. Clear titles matter. #FinOps #Cloud #Careers
September 9, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Switzerland launches Apertus, a fully open-source LLM developed by Swiss universities and CSCS. With full transparency, ethical data practices, and benchmarks on par with Llama 3, Apertus offers Europe a sovereign alternative to US and Chinese AI dominance.
#AI #OpenSource #EthicalAI #Apertus
#AI #OpenSource #EthicalAI #Apertus
September 8, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Switzerland launches Apertus, a fully open-source LLM developed by Swiss universities and CSCS. With full transparency, ethical data practices, and benchmarks on par with Llama 3, Apertus offers Europe a sovereign alternative to US and Chinese AI dominance.
#AI #OpenSource #EthicalAI #Apertus
#AI #OpenSource #EthicalAI #Apertus
Cybersecurity awareness struggles continue. Social engineering drives 43% of incidents, yet middle management often sees security as a burden. Focus on key risks, practical training, and leadership support to make awareness effective. #Cybersecurity #Awareness #Leadership #RiskManagement #Phishing
September 5, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Cybersecurity awareness struggles continue. Social engineering drives 43% of incidents, yet middle management often sees security as a burden. Focus on key risks, practical training, and leadership support to make awareness effective. #Cybersecurity #Awareness #Leadership #RiskManagement #Phishing