Default outbound access for Azure virtual machines will be retired on March 31, 2026, necessitating the transition to explicit outbound connectivity methods like NAT Gateway or Azure Firewall. Existing virtual networks will not be affected, but users are encouraged to adopt explicit methods for improved control and security. Guidance is provided for identifying resources using default outbound access and transitioning to recommended solutions.

Google Cloud has launched its next-generation C4D virtual machine family, offering up to 80% higher performance for critical workloads powered by 5th Gen AMD EPYC processors. Key features include improved processing capabilities for web serving, general computing, and data-intensive applications, along with enterprise-grade security and the introduction of AMD-based Bare Metal instances for enhanced control. C4D is designed to optimize cloud investments by delivering better performance per dollar across various applications.