Hivemind supported ONRSR to rebuild and mature its Azure environment, cutting cloud costs by 60%, strengthening governance, and linking organisational risk to technical control.
60% cloud cost reduction
Client ONRSR
Sector Transportation & logistics
Published 24 June 2026
Summary
ONRSR engaged Hivemind to improve Azure cost control, security and governance, including clearer links between corporate risks and verifiable technical controls.
Client context
ONRSR runs internally developed systems, business-critical applications and operational platforms across a national regulatory function.
Headcount is small, but its technology and assurance requirements reflect a complex operating environment.
Challenge
The Azure estate had grown over time. Resources weren’t organised consistently, some services used ageing or deprecated configurations, and technical decisions didn’t always support long-term operational needs.
ONRSR needed to:
establish a reliable view of the existing Azure estate
reduce unnecessary cost without disrupting critical services
improve security and governance across the environment
show how technical controls treated risks recorded at the organisational level
communicate priorities clearly to technical, executive, board and audit stakeholders
Approach
We began with the current environment, business-critical systems, risk profile and organisational priorities. Cost, security, architecture and governance were treated as connected concerns, not separate remediation projects.
That let technical changes be weighed against business risk and operational impact, and gave executives a clearer basis for deciding what to address first.
Delivery
Work included:
reviewing Azure resources and inherited configurations
identifying outdated, inefficient and higher-risk services
improving resource structure and governance
applying stronger architectural and security controls
reducing avoidable Azure spend
mapping corporate risk treatments to verifiable technical controls through Policy as Code
supporting discussions with executive, board and audit stakeholders
Outcome
a 60% reduction in Azure costs, with optimisation continuing after the initial work
stronger Azure governance and visibility
clearer links between corporate risks and technical controls
delivery without disruption to staff
support for an independent security audit
Removing waste is useful, but a sustainable Azure environment also needs ownership, evidence and controls that stay understandable after the first round of remediation.
Technology and capabilities used
Microsoft Azure
Azure governance and cost optimisation
Cloud architecture and security
Policy as Code
Organisational risk mapping
Executive and audit advisory
Client feedback
“Hivemind has built a level of trust and a naturally strong working relationship with ONRSR. They operate seamlessly with our team and have the credibility to engage directly with executive and board stakeholders when required. They tell us what we need to hear, not just what is easy to say. For an organisation of our scale and complexity, that trust is invaluable. Hivemind has helped take technical risk off our plate, allowing us to focus on the work that makes the greatest difference for the organisation.”
Samuel P.
ONRSR
Related insights and services
Azure cost optimisation: fix waste before buying commitmentsㅤ❯
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