In this Q&A, we delve into the chapter “Ensuring Compliance in Cloud Native Assurance and IT Audits” by Prof. Harini Shankar, from the book
Advancing IT Audits Through Integrative Approaches and Emerging Technologies (ISBN: 9798337330785). As organizations increasingly migrate to cloud-native environments, ensuring compliance and maintaining robust IT assurance frameworks have become central challenges for auditors. This discussion explores how emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, automation, and blockchain—are transforming audit practices, enhancing accuracy, and reinforcing compliance in complex digital ecosystems. Through this conversation, we highlight how integrative audit approaches are reshaping the future of IT governance and risk management.
Prof. Harini Shankar Answers Our Questions
What is your professional background that gives you the knowledge needed to lead this publication?
Prof. Shankar: I bring over 15 years of professional experience in software engineering and regulatory technology, serving in senior leadership roles that directly oversee high impact technology programs. I have led quality engineering and compliance validation for nationally significant platforms.
In addition to my industry leadership, I have contributed extensively to the academic and professional community as a peer reviewer, editorial board member, and judge for international conferences and journals. This dual background in both hands-on technology leadership and scholarly evaluation equips me with the expertise needed to author and contribute to publications that bridge theory and practice, particularly in areas where software quality, business intelligence, and regulatory compliance intersect.
What inspired you to write Ensuring Compliance in Cloud Native Assurance and IT Audits?
Prof. Shankar: I was inspired to write this book chapter because I observed how rapidly organizations are shifting to cloud-native systems while still being held accountable to strict compliance and audit requirements. Too often, assurance and auditing practices lag behind this technological transformation, relying on traditional, manual approaches that are not sustainable in fast-moving digital environments.
Having led quality assurance and compliance validation across critical financial and regulatory platforms, I saw firsthand the urgent need for new frameworks that embed compliance into the software delivery lifecycle itself. My goal was to capture these lessons and provide a roadmap for practitioners and auditors alike, so that compliance is no longer treated as an afterthought but as an integral part of modern, cloud-native assurance.
What is your mission for the title?
Prof. Shankar: My mission for this title is to bridge the gap between traditional compliance approaches and the realities of cloud-native assurance. Compliance should not be a barrier that slows innovation—it should be an embedded, continuous practice that enables organizations to move quickly while maintaining trust, security, and accountability.
How is your research going to impact your field and how does it relate to current trends and social matters?
Prof. Shankar: This work aligns with current trends such as the adoption of cloud-native infrastructure, DevSecOps, and AI-driven governance, as well as the global emphasis on cybersecurity resilience, regulatory transparency, and digital trust. Socially, it addresses the urgent need to protect sensitive data, ensure fair and secure digital services, and strengthen public confidence in institutions that rely on cloud technologies. In an era where compliance failures can threaten both national security and individual privacy, my research provides pathways to safeguard critical infrastructure while enabling innovation.
What do you want people to know about your publication before they read it?
Prof. Shankar: Before reading this publication, I want people to know that it is not a traditional compliance or audit manual—it is a forward-looking guide that reimagines how assurance can work in a cloud-native world. The chapter blends real-world case experience from highly regulated industries with emerging practices such as policy-as-code, continuous monitoring, and automation-driven audits.
How does your publication stand out from others like it?
Prof. Shankar: This publication stands out because it moves beyond traditional discussions of IT audits and compliance, which often emphasize retrospective checks and manual processes. Instead, it presents a forward-looking model of continuous compliance, where assurance is integrated into every stage of the cloud-native lifecycle.
What are some future directions for your research?
Prof. Shankar: Future directions for my research focus on strengthening how compliance and assurance can keep pace with the rapid adoption of cloud-native and decentralized systems. I plan to explore how policy-as-code, infrastructure-as-code, and continuous monitoring can evolve to provide real-time audit readiness and resilience across industries.
About the Author
Harini Shankar is a seasoned technology leader specializing in automation testing, quality assurance, and software development. Currently serving as a Director of Technology, Harini has been instrumental in transforming the testing landscape for various multi-million large-scale initiatives encompassing numerous micro-applications. She has a proven track record of leveraging cutting edge tools and methodologies, to ensure efficiency, consistency, and high quality outcomes. With a strong background in DevOps and Agile environments, Shankar has led and mentored teams of Assurance engineers, enabling them to deliver seamless integration and validation of complex systems.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of IGI Global Scientific Publishing.