On May 24th, 2024, the Industrial IT Forum unfolded at the Hilton Astana in Kazakhstan. It was a unique convergence of industry leaders, IT experts, and startups, all eager to explore the latest in digital transformation. The forum wasn’t just about talk; it was a showcase of real-world solutions and cutting-edge IT innovations, particularly in Kazakhstan and the surrounding region.
I had the honor of co-presenting a session with Ivan Ekimov, a SUSE System Engineer. Our topic was “Building Secure Cloud-Native Infrastructure at the Intersection of SUSE Technologies” As the founder of Qazaq Open Source Initiative (QOSI) and a Senior IT Expertise Manager at Samruk-Kazyna Fund, I was thrilled to dive deep into our collaborative efforts in creating secure, scalable cloud solutions using SUSE’s suite of open-source technologies.
Building a Secure Cloud-Native Future
Our presentation was rooted in practical experiences. We discussed how we deployed a private cloud stack tailored for enterprises, leveraging SUSE technologies like Rancher, Harvester, and NeuVector. The goal was to build robust cloud-native infrastructures that could handle the demands of industries such as mining and metallurgy, ensuring security, scalability, and operational efficiency.
From Samruk-Kazyna Fund, we shared our successful integration of these solutions. By adopting open-source tools, we built a scalable enterprise-grade private cloud environment that reduced costs, enhanced flexibility, and maintained high-level security. It was a testament to how open-source can drive innovation without the burden of hefty licensing fees.
QOSI: The Power of Open-Source for Enterprises
The audience was particularly intrigued by our journey toward open-source implementation in large enterprises. The Qazaq Open Source Initiative (QOSI) has been pivotal in promoting the use of open-source tools across various industries in Kazakhstan. We highlighted how these solutions empower businesses to innovate freely and how our journey could be a model for other sectors.
The Q&A session was lively. Participants were keen to understand how open-source could support the digital transformation of industrial enterprises. There was a lot of interest in the security aspects of cloud-native deployments and how SUSE NeuVector ensures compliance and data protection, even in air-gapped environments.
A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation
The Industrial IT Forum was more than just discussions. It was a dynamic environment where participants engaged in networking, explored industrial IT solutions exhibitions, and interacted with leaders from both industrial and IT sectors. The case championship allowed startups and IT professionals to present innovative solutions for real-world industrial challenges, showcasing the critical role of digitalization and IT modernization in mining and metallurgy.
The diverse representation from companies like Kazakhmys, ERG, KazMinerals, and international players such as Honeywell, Schneider Electric, and Siemens brought valuable insights. They showed how industries are leveraging IT to tackle complex operational challenges.
In the end, Ivan and I were thrilled by the high level of engagement and interest in both SUSE technologies and the open-source movement led by QOSI. The event was a clear indication of the growing demand for secure, scalable, and cost-efficient digital infrastructure solutions in Kazakhstan’s industrial sectors. It was a reminder of the power of collaboration and innovation in driving the future of industrial IT.