The Register: HashiCorp unveils ‘Terraform 2.0’ while tiptoeing around Big Blue elephant in the room

Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/18/hashicorp_hashiconf_terraform_updates/
Source: The Register
Title: HashiCorp unveils ‘Terraform 2.0’ while tiptoeing around Big Blue elephant in the room

Feedly Summary: HashiConf shindig oddly reluctant to mention impending IBM acquisition
HashiCorp’s annual HashiConf shindig wrapped up in Boston with a Big Blue elephant in the room and a hissed instruction: “Don’t mention IBM!"…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

**Summary:** The text discusses the recent HashiConf event, where HashiCorp unveiled significant updates to its infrastructure and security tools, including Terraform Stacks and HCP Vault enhancements, amid the context of an impending acquisition by IBM. The updates bring new features aimed at improving security and infrastructure lifecycle management, which are crucial for professionals navigating cloud security landscapes.

**Detailed Description:**
The article outlines key developments from HashiCorp’s annual conference, detailing innovations and updates to their product line that impact security and infrastructure management.

– **Key Announcements:**
– **Terraform Stacks:** Introduced as “Terraform 2.0”, this feature is in public beta and is designed to enhance resource management with improved scalability and functionality. It allows users to manage up to 500 resources for free and includes new Kubernetes use cases.
– **HCP Waypoint:** Officially launched at HashiConf, this platform facilitates the creation of internal developer platforms, streamlining application dependency management through templates and add-ons. It aims to reduce complexity for developers.

– **Infrastructure Enhancements:**
– Introduction of GPU scheduling in Nomad to bolster AI workload support.
– A tool in public beta to help migrate workflows from the community edition of Terraform to HCP Terraform or Enterprise.

– **Security Lifecycle Management (SLM) Improvements:**
– Introduction of an auto-rotation feature in HCP Vault Secrets for better security management.
– Public betas for dynamic secrets and dynamic cloud credentials to enhance security protocols.
– Launching of HCP Vault Radar aimed at identifying and remediating unmanaged secrets in code.

– **Market Context and Competition:**
– The company’s shift to Business Source License in 2023 has sparked competition with the emergence of open-source alternatives like OpenTofu and OpenBao.
– Amidst these developments, there is anticipation regarding IBM’s acquisition of HashiCorp and its potential impact on the company’s operations and future product direction.

– **Community and Ecosystem:**
– The involvement of associated companies like Resourcely highlights the broad ecosystem that surrounds HashiCorp’s products, emphasizing the need for governance and compliance through tools such as Blueprints and Guardrails.

The insights from HashiConf reveal HashiCorp’s commitment to enhancing security and efficiency within cloud infrastructure management, which is pivotal for compliance and security professionals tasked with maintaining robust infrastructure in increasingly complex environments, particularly in light of shifts toward multi-cloud strategies.