Abstract: Embodiments are directed to isolating a cloud computing node using network- or some other type of isolation. In one scenario, a computer system determines that a cloud computing node is no longer responding to monitoring requests. The computer system isolates the determined cloud computing node to ensure that software programs running on the determined cloud computing node are no longer effectual (either the programs no longer produce outputs, or those outputs are not allowed to be transmitted). The computer system also notifies various entities that the determined cloud computing node has been isolated. The node may be isolated by powering the node down, by preventing the node from transmitting and/or receiving data, and by manually isolating the node. In some cases, isolating the node by preventing the node from transmitting and/or receiving data includes deactivating network switch ports used by the determined cloud computing node for data communication.