Systems, Architecture and Systems Architecture

In designing, implementing, and governing cloud solutions, it is critical to define a baseline set of core services that must be considered in every architecture, regardless of the specific cloud platform. These foundational services ensure that essential capabilities — such as security, observability, governance, lifecycle management, and cost control — are embedded from the start.

The concept of “Generic Cloud Services Across Architectural Layers” refers to a standardized package of services and practices that should exist across all cloud environments, ensuring operational excellence, security, scalability, and maintainability across any solution or workload.

These services are organized into three architectural layers:

LIFECYCLE LAYER

The Lifecycle layer manages the software and infrastructure lifecycle, orchestrating changes across environments in a repeatable, automated, and secure way. It ensures that workloads and platform components are planned, developed, tested, deployed, and maintained using industry best practices (such as DevOps or GitOps methodologies).

Example Service:

In Azure, Azure DevOps provides integrated tools for planning (Boards), source control (Repos), continuous integration and delivery (Pipelines), testing (Test Plans), and artifact management (Artifacts).
Similar alternatives include GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline, and Google Cloud Build.

PLATFORM LAYER

The Platform layer provides the shared services and foundational capabilities that every workload relies on. This layer ensures that security, governance, monitoring, and financial management are standardized and enforced across the cloud estate.

Key responsibilities of the platform layer include identity management, observability, security posture management, policy enforcement, and cost control.

Identity Management

Example: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) provides centralized authentication and access control.
Equivalents: AWS IAM, Google Cloud Identity.

Monitoring and Observability

Example: Azure Monitor collects metrics, logs, and traces across resources.
Equivalents: AWS CloudWatch, Google Cloud Operations Suite.

Cost Management

Example: Azure Cost Management enables cost visibility, budgeting, and optimization.
Equivalents: AWS Cost Explorer, Google Cloud Billing Reports.

Security Posture Management

Example: Microsoft Defender for Cloud continuously assesses and protects cloud resources.
Equivalents: AWS Security Hub, Google Security Command Center.

Governance and Compliance

Example: Azure Policy enforces standards and compliance automatically.
Equivalents: AWS Organizations Service Control Policies (SCPs), Google Organization Policies.

Security Operations

Example: Microsoft Sentinel provides SIEM/SOAR capabilities for threat detection and response.
Equivalents: AWS GuardDuty + AWS Security Hub, Chronicle SIEM (Google Cloud).

WORKLOAD LAYER

The Workload layer contains the application-specific resources and configurations that directly deliver business value. Each workload must be instrumented and secured in alignment with the standards established by the platform layer.

Typical responsibilities at this layer include secret management, log management, and application performance monitoring.

Secret Management

Example: Azure Key Vault stores secrets, keys, and certificates securely.
Equivalents: AWS Secrets Manager, Google Secret Manager.

Logging and Diagnostics

Example: Azure Log Analytics Workspace stores and queries diagnostic and activity logs.
Equivalents: AWS CloudWatch Logs, Google Cloud Logging.

Application Monitoring

Example: Azure Application Insights monitors live application telemetry and user behavior.
Equivalents: AWS X-Ray, Google Cloud Trace and Monitoring.

CONCLUSION

The Generic Cloud Services Across Architectural Layers model represents the foundational services package that should be incorporated into every cloud architecture, regardless of cloud provider. This model ensures:

• Secure identity management
• Continuous monitoring and alerting
• Automated compliance and governance
• Centralized cost visibility and control
• Automated lifecycle management for code and infrastructure
• Application-specific observability and secret security

By consistently applying these services across all cloud solutions — and tailoring them to the specifics of the chosen cloud platform (Azure, AWS, GCP) — architects build resilient, secure, scalable, and cost-optimized environments.