New Integration Update: Enhancing ServiceNow with Terraform’s Approval Workflow
In a significant development for organizations prioritizing governance and compliance, HashiCorp has unveiled an update to its ServiceNow Service Catalog plugin for Terraform. The latest enhancement introduces a native approval workflow, a crucial governance feature that ensures all self-service infrastructure provisioning requests undergo a thorough review and authorization process before any resources are created. This update stands as a testament to HashiCorp’s commitment to streamlining operational processes and promoting wider adoption of Terraform in environments where stringent governance is paramount.
Advancing Governance with the Approval Workflow
The newly integrated approval workflow marks a substantial leap forward for users of the ServiceNow Service Catalog for Terraform. In the past, organizations that required an approval mechanism often had to rely on custom-built solutions, which could be both complex and resource-intensive to maintain. With this update, the need for such custom solutions is eliminated, as the approval gate is seamlessly integrated into the infrastructure request process.
This streamlined functionality allows users to configure Service Catalog items to necessitate approval before provisioning any infrastructure. When a user requests an item with this requirement, a Terraform plan-only run is generated and sent to the designated approver. The approver then has the opportunity to scrutinize the proposed infrastructure changes and make an informed decision. If the approver approves the request, a Terraform apply run is triggered, thus provisioning the infrastructure. Conversely, if the request is rejected, the run is discarded, ensuring no unauthorized changes are implemented.
Starting with New Catalog Items
To facilitate the adoption of this new workflow, HashiCorp provides two new catalog items:
- Provisioning with an Approval Workflow: This feature automatically creates a speculative plan and pauses for approval before initiating a Terraform apply run in a new workspace.
- Updating with an Approval Workflow: This option updates an existing workspace by generating a speculative plan and awaiting approval prior to executing a Terraform apply run.
Benefits of the Native Approval Workflow
HashiCorp’s integration of a native approval workflow offers two primary advantages:
- Enhanced Governance and Security: By incorporating a formal approval step into the infrastructure provisioning process, organizations can enforce compliance with internal policies, control costs, and maintain a secure infrastructure. This ensures that only authorized personnel review and approve requests, reinforcing governance protocols.
- Reduced Risk and Increased Stability: The native approval workflow eliminates the dependency on custom-built approval solutions, which are often fragile and prone to failures. This reduction in complexity minimizes the risk of errors and unintended consequences, thereby enhancing the overall stability of the infrastructure management process.
Seamless Integration with HCP Terraform
Connecting your ServiceNow instance with HashiCorp Cloud Platform (HCP) Terraform has been simplified, thanks to robust APIs that facilitate smooth data exchange and workflow automation between the platforms. This integration ensures that organizations can achieve efficient and reliable infrastructure management with minimal effort.
For those interested in exploring the full range of enhancements and detailed instructions on configuring the Service Catalog, HashiCorp provides comprehensive documentation. Users currently utilizing the Terraform Community Edition, or those new to Terraform, are encouraged to try HCP Terraform, available free of charge.
Conclusion
HashiCorp’s latest update to the ServiceNow Service Catalog plugin represents a significant enhancement in the realm of infrastructure management. By integrating a native approval workflow, the update not only simplifies the approval process but also strengthens governance, security, and compliance measures. This development is a welcome advancement for organizations striving to maintain robust control over their infrastructure provisioning processes while minimizing the complexities and risks associated with custom solutions.
For more information, readers are encouraged to delve into the Service Catalog configuration documentation provided by HashiCorp. This resource offers valuable insights and guidance for leveraging the full potential of the new approval workflow integration.
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