Final answer:
The initial steps in cloud deployment involve identifying the specific problems or needs of the project and then defining the detailed requirements and constraints of the cloud environment. These steps set a vital foundation for all future actions, like designing networks and configuring security.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first two steps to perform in a cloud deployment typically involve preparatory and planning activities essential to the successful launch and scalability of cloud resources. The preliminary steps should begin with identifying a problem or a need which implicates assessing the goals and objectives that the deployment aims to achieve. This is followed by defining requirements and constraints that the cloud environment must adhere to, such as compliance regulations, cost implications, and technical specifications.
Once these foundational elements are established, it could then make sense to proceed with tasks such as generating ideas, developing detailed designs, and eventually creating a prototype. However, the initial focus should be on ensuring a proper understanding of the deployment landscape which is critical to informing subsequent decisions like the selection of cloud service providers, network architecture design, and configuring security protocols.