A cloud infrastructure diagnostics system comprises a cloud state configuration module operative to define a cloud state model with respect to a cloud infrastructure, wherein the cloud state model comprises a structured collection of selected operational characteristics relative to the cloud infrastructure components. The cloud state model may include a definition of dependencies between the cloud infrastructure components where applicable. A cloud state monitoring module is operative, responsive to the cloud state model definition, to collect periodic cloud state updates with respect to the cloud infrastructure. A cloud state analysis module is operative, responsive to receiving the periodic cloud state updates, to perform: comparing one or more cloud state updates to a corresponding predefined set of reference states; and determining one or more notifications to be transmitted with respect to the operational characteristics of the cloud infrastructure components.