What does "cloud governance" refer to?

Cloud governance refers to the framework for managing and controlling cloud resources, which encompasses policies, procedures, and guidelines that organizations implement to ensure effective management of their cloud environments. This includes defining roles and responsibilities, compliance with regulations, risk management, resource allocation, and ensuring that the use of cloud resources aligns with the organization's objectives and strategies.

This framework is essential because it helps organizations maintain control over their cloud environments, ensuring that resources are utilized effectively and securely. It also addresses issues such as data security, access controls, and proper usage of cloud services, which are critical for maintaining operational integrity and regulatory compliance.

On the other hand, total cost of ownership focuses on the financial aspects of cloud resources rather than the governance framework. The user interface for managing cloud applications pertains to the tools and interfaces used by users to interact with cloud services, which is a different aspect of cloud management. Similarly, data storage policies are specific guidelines concerning the management and retention of data, which fall under the broader governance framework but do not encompass all the elements of cloud governance.