Weekly Cloud Info #W12 - 2025

Author

Walid LARABI
March 21, 2025

Hi!

This week, I’m sharing new feature announcements from the major cloud providers.

Have a great read. ☕

📰 Top picks of the week

AWS Enhances Network Firewall with Flow Management: Capture and Flush Active Flows at No Extra Cost

AWS Network Firewall has introduced a flow management feature that includes Flow Capture and Flow Flush, allowing customers to control and manage active network flows. These tools help identify traffic based on specific criteria, facilitating better security management during incidents and troubleshooting. The feature is available at no extra cost in all supported regions. Customers can get started through the AWS documentation and API reference.

AWS Bedrock Guardrails: New IAM Policies Enhance Responsible AI Safety

Amazon Bedrock Guardrails has introduced IAM policy-based enforcement to enhance responsible AI applications. This feature allows users to apply specific safety measures during AI model interactions, including content filtering and sensitive information redaction. It can be implemented for any model across various platforms using the ApplyGuardrail API. This enforcement is now available in all AWS regions where Bedrock Guardrails are supported.

AWS WAF Enhances Security with URI Fragment Field Matching Feature

AWS WAF now allows customers to match against the URI fragment field in addition to the URI path, enhancing security measures. This feature helps create rules to inspect specific sections of a URL, enabling targeted security controls and improved bot detection. Customers can allow or deny requests based on fragment content, such as "myFragment" in URLs. There are no additional costs, but standard WAF charges apply, and the feature is available globally.

AWS: New Amazon Data Firehose Integration with S3 Tables for Real-Time Streaming Data

Amazon Data Firehose now integrates with Amazon S3 Tables, allowing customers to deliver real-time streaming data directly without coding. It supports various data sources and can route records based on content. This serverless service simplifies stream setup and automates data corrections. For more details, visit the Firehose documentation.

Azure Durable Task Scheduler Public Preview: Enhanced Performance and Easy Orchestration

Azure has launched the public preview of its Durable Task Scheduler, enhancing performance and reliability for stateful applications in a serverless environment. This Azure-managed backend simplifies orchestration of functions without requiring custom storage solutions. Key features include improved scalability, operational capabilities, and a user-friendly debugging dashboard. The scheduler supports various programming languages, making it easier for developers to implement complex workflows.

Azure Introduces MySQL Triggers for Event-Driven Azure Functions in Public Preview

Developers can now create event-driven applications using Azure Database for MySQL triggers with Azure Functions in public preview. These triggers monitor MySQL table changes and invoke functions when rows are created, updated, or deleted. Change tracking must be enabled on tables, and the latest updates are processed in order. This feature currently supports dedicated and premium plans of Azure Functions.

Azure Launches Serverless GPUs with NVIDIA NIM Support for AI Workloads

Serverless GPUs with NVIDIA NIM support are now available in Azure Container Apps, allowing users to run AI workloads on-demand with automatic scaling and per-second billing. This feature simplifies infrastructure management, enabling faster AI development with custom API endpoints for inferencing. Users can provision GPU-powered Jupyter Notebooks and manage larger ML workloads while ensuring data governance. NVIDIA NIMs support various AI scenarios, enhancing the capabilities for model deployment.

Azure VM Hibernation for GPU: Save Costs with In-Memory State Preservation

Azure now offers VM hibernation for GPU Virtual Machines, allowing users to pause workloads while retaining in-memory data. This feature is available for select NVv4 and NVadsA10v5 VM sizes on both Linux and Windows in all public regions. By using hibernation, users can lower compute costs by deallocating the VM and only paying for storage and networking. It’s available for both new and existing VMs.

GCP Launches Network Security Integration for Simplified Cloud Security Management

Google Cloud introduces Network Security Integration to simplify the integration of third-party security solutions into cloud applications. This new feature allows consistent security policies across hybrid and multicloud environments without altering network architecture. It enhances application deployments, compliance, and traffic visibility through innovative tunneling methods. The service offers out-of-band and in-band integration options for traffic analysis and inspection.

GCP's Project Shield: Simplified DDoS Protection Application and Setup for At-Risk Organizations

Google Cloud's Project Shield offers free DDoS protection for at-risk organizations. Recent updates streamline the application process, enabling real-time checks and mobile-friendly navigation. Users can quickly set up protection with automated configurations and receive a free managed HTTPS certificate. The enhanced dashboard provides a detailed progress bar and ensures that websites function properly during setup.

❤️ You might also like

  • Alphabet to buy Wiz for $32 billion in its biggest deal to boost cloud security LINK

  • Google is officially dumping Assistant for Gemini LINK

  • Y Combinator startups are fastest growing, most profitable in fund history because of AI LINK

  • Baidu unveils ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1, which is 1% GPT-4.5 cost LINK

  • Google's new AI is really good at watermark removal LINK

  • Google launches satellite to track wildfires from orbit LINK

  • Disney's robots will be powered by Nvidia and Google LINK

  • Nvidia announces “Rubin Ultra” and “Feynman” AI chips for 2027 and 2028 LINK

  • Nvidia debuts Groot N1, a foundation model for humanoid robotics LINK

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