As the cloud networking experts, Aviatrix wants to elevate the work of cloud networking heroes who labor to keep networks secure, effective, and performant. We’re proud to highlight people who have taught themselves the necessary skills, designed and managed successful networks, and have the expertise to share, including several who joined Aviatrix in New York at the NASDAQ tower.
Our next hero spotlight is on Michal Strzembicki, a Global Cloud Architect at International Personal Finance. See our previous hero spotlights here.
Background: Keeping the Strict Standards of Military Technology
Michal has shaped his cloud networking career in environments that left little room for error. “I began my tech career as an IT Administrator with the Polish Military, where I spent over three years ensuring server and network setups met the strict standards of military technology,” he explained. “This foundational experience solidified my skills in high-stakes environments and led me to work in London as a Software Developer. There, I expanded my responsibilities beyond software development to include server setups, network configurations, and firewall security, providing secure, end-to-end solutions that integrated software and infrastructure.”
Over the years, he’s progressively specialized in networking and cloud solutions, including roles in financial institutions and large-scale, multicloud environments.
Currently, as a Global Cloud Architect within the Cloud Center of Excellence, he focuses on global cloud networking and architectural strategy, leveraging multicloud capabilities and cloud-native security. “One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is designing scalable, resilient solutions that bridge multiple cloud and on-prem environments, allowing organizations to innovate without sacrificing security,” he said.
Some of his proudest achievements include spearheading the deployment of Aviatrix for intercontinental transit networking and introducing VMC on AWS, which provided a strategic bridge for cloud migration efforts. “Each of these achievements demonstrates the power of flexible, hybrid approaches that optimize performance across diverse platforms,” he explained.
Over the course of his career, Michal has seen networking evolve from primarily on-premises infrastructures to today’s highly dynamic, cloud-driven frameworks. “Initially, networking revolved around securing physical assets, but with the shift to cloud, networks have grown to be borderless, dynamic, and software-defined,” he said. “Over the next decade, I expect cloud networking to further integrate with automation, artificial intelligence, and policy-driven management, making cloud networks even more adaptive, resilient, and secure. This evolution will likely be accompanied by advancements in multicloud strategies and edge computing.”
Managing Cloud Costs
From his networking experience, Michal shared some advice about a critical issue: cloud costs. “For networking professionals concerned about cloud costs, I recommend a strategy grounded in proactive design and cost-awareness,” he said. He named several strategies to improve efficiency and prevent cost overruns:
- Using infrastructure-as-code (IaC) to optimize resources
- Adopting visibility tools to track utilization
- Implementing data transfer policies
- Leveraging reserved instances
- Continuously evaluating the cost-effectiveness of multicloud versus single-cloud approaches
The Network is the Cloud: Integration and Interdependence
“‘The network is the cloud’ captures the seamless integration and interdependence of cloud resources and networking,” said Michal. “In modern architectures, the cloud is not just a destination, but the connective tissue of global operations. It reflects how network services, security, and computing resources are provided as unified cloud-native services, dynamically adjusting to meet the needs of applications, data, and users in real-time, irrespective of location.”
Outside of Work
Outside of work, Michal is deeply passionate about scuba diving. “I am part of Poland’s professional diving club and I’m currently a PADI Certified Open Water Diver,” he said. “It’s a great way to unwind and explore a world vastly different from tech, and it provides a unique sense of balance and perspective. Additionally, I stay updated on cloud networking and security innovations, driven by a personal interest in advancing my field.”
At AWS re:Invent 2024, Michael and two other Cloud Networking Heroes, Roy Long and Ansley Moyo, joined me to talk about their backgrounds and perspective on the future of cloud networking:
Curious about other cloud networking heroes like Michal?
- We’ll keep highlighting networking professionals on this blog.
- Learn more about the Cloud Networking Heroes program and apply on The Cloud Network Community.