DENSO's cloud approach: Challenges in cloud and IaC for Japanese manufacturing

This presentation explores the multifaceted challenges encountered by DENSO, a Japanese automotive parts manufacturer, during its adoption of cloud technologies and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). It focuses on how the Digital Innovation Dept has driven technological advancements within the framework of the company’s traditional manufacturing culture.

Key challenges for DENSO include:

Technical heterogeneity and lack of uniformity: Various teams independently adopted cloud technology, using Terraform in diverse ways. This led to issues with code reusability and inefficient maintenance processes.
Security and compliance issues: The adoption of cloud technologies by staff with limited IT background resulted in undefined security standards and poor risk management. The company’s existing security policies did not fully cover cloud environments, increasing the risk of breaches.
Inter-departmental information barriers: As an established company, DENSO experiences significant barriers between departments, preventing effective technical knowledge sharing and successful practice dissemination. This limits efficient problem-solving and innovation.
The session will detail:

The specific technical and organizational challenges faced by DENSO in implementing cloud and IaC solutions.
The creation and application of standardized Terraform modules and the formulation of security standards.
How revised security guidelines ensured safer cloud usage and the promotion of cross-departmental collaboration for their implementation.
Through DENSO's case study, this presentation will demonstrate strategies to overcome the unique challenges that traditional Japanese manufacturing companies face in technological advancement. It offers practical solutions to cloud technology and security challenges, providing attendees with deep insights into cloud utilization and management across various industries, thus offering new perspectives.