William W Collins’ Post

Advanced Cloud Strategies for Privacy and Security by Vaishnavi Naste via DevOps Online ([Global] Security Breach) URL: https://ift.tt/5d6YAkm #NDCA2024 Speaker Edition With less than 2 months until The National DevOps Conference and Awards, we interviewed #NDCA speaker, Harbinder Singh. The conference & Awards takes place in London on the 22nd and 23rd of October 2024. To exhibit your products at the event, please get in touch here.   Author: Harbinder Singh, Head of Cloud and Security and a speaker at the National DevOps Conference and Awards In today’s digital age, where cloud computing drives business innovation, protecting sensitive data has never been more critical. While the cloud offers unparalleled scalability and flexibility, it also presents significant privacy and security challenges. Organisations must balance the openness and accessibility of cloud environments with stringent privacy controls to safeguard their most valuable assets. My upcoming conference presentation will explore strategies to achieve this balance, focusing on tools and practices like IAM policies, Alerts and AWS capabilities to make it difficult for malicious actors.    Enforcing Security with IAM Policies and HTTPS A fundamental aspect of securing your cloud environment is the implementation of robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies. These policies allow you to control who can access your resources and under what conditions. A critical strategy is enforcing HTTPS for all communications with your cloud services, ensuring that data in transit is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. For example, you can create an IAM policy to deny non-HTTPS requests to S3 buckets, ensuring all data exchanges are secure. This policy can be extended to other AWS services, providing comprehensive encryption across your cloud infrastructure. Securing Communication with VPC Endpoints, Cloud Map and Service Discovery Maintaining privacy within your cloud environment requires securing the flow of data. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) endpoints and endpoint services enable private communication between resources within a VPC and AWS services without exposing data to the public internet. VPC endpoints allow you to create a private connection between your VPC and services like S3 or DynamoDB, ensuring that data remains within your VPC’s secure boundaries. VPC endpoint services, on the other hand, allow you to create private endpoints for custom applications, securely sharing services within your infrastructure or with partners. In dynamic cloud environments, where resources frequently scale and move, keeping track of service locations can be challenging. AWS Cloud Map provides service discovery by dynamically managing the location of cloud resources and ensuring secure communication between services. By integrating AWS Cloud Map with IAM policies and VPC endpoints, you can ensure that service discovery within your cl...

USE CASE: 072024-20-2307: SECURITY ARCHITECTURE MODEL For cloud services consolidated under a single hybrid cloud platform employing AI Security to provide a single view of security including monitoring of Kubernetes security architecture. Model key components: 1️⃣ Diverse Cloud Service Providers: These are the various cloud services that the organisation uses. 2️⃣ Hybrid Cloud Platform: It provides a single interface for managing and securing all the cloud services. 3️⃣ AI Security: This is the AI-powered security solution provides a unified view of security across all the cloud services. It uses machine learning and other AI techniques to detect and respond to security threats in real time. 4️⃣ Kubernetes Security Monitoring: It checks for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and other security issues. 5️⃣ Application Security Architecture: This is the overall structure of the security measures in place for the applications running on the cloud services. Elements include: 1️⃣ Zero-Trust Policies: Adopting zero-trust policies can minimise the risk of lateral movement attacks and reduce the effects of potential breaches. 2️⃣ Cloud workload protection platforms (CWPP): CWPPs are security mechanisms designed to protect workloads, such as VMs, applications, or data, in a consistent manner. 3️⃣Cloud access security brokers (CASB): CASBs are tools or services that sit between cloud customers and cloud services to enforce security policies and add an extra layer of security. 4️⃣ Cloud security posture management (CSPM): CSPM refers to a group of security products and services that monitor cloud security and compliance issues. These tools help organisations identify and address security vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with industry standards. 5️⃣ Micro-segmentation and granular security policies: Using subnets to micro-segment workloads and implementing granular security policies at subnet gateways can enhance security by isolating workloads and controlling access. 6️⃣ Hybrid cloud management platform: A hybrid cloud management platform incorporates standard cloud technologies like Kubernetes to orchestrate container-based services and provides unified management tools for monitoring and managing resources from a single interface. 7️⃣ Security information and event management (SIEM): It provides a comprehensive security orchestration solution. 8️⃣ Secure cloud infrastructure: Implementing best practices for securing cloud infrastructure components, containers/Kubernetes, is crucial. REFERENCES https://lnkd.in/dwGpzkV2 2. https://lnkd.in/dUxbsgGj 3. https://lnkd.in/dpKH6ba5 4. https://lnkd.in/daahn-Sn 5. https://lnkd.in/drSDCjNq

Cloud Infrastructure Security Series #10. 🔍 Observability. In the original post ( https://lnkd.in/ek6YCqjU ) we defined steps to implement a bullet-proof Cloud Infrastructure Security Posture. Now it's time to dive into the topic of 🔍 Observability. ❓ How would you approach the implementation of the following? - Implement Centralized Logging (from cloud services and applications); - Configure Alerts on Critical and High Impact VMS Events. 💪 Here is how, in a few well-defined steps: 1. Option No.1: **Managed setup**. 1.1. Leverage cloud service provider's SIEM, e.g. CloudWatch in AWS - https://lnkd.in/ev6ssGz7, Cloud Operations Suite in GCP -https://lnkd.in/eFTaRrQ7, Azure Monitor in MS Azure - https://lnkd.in/eZsZAriE. 1.2. Stream all logs from all services and applications directly to the CSP-provided Centralized Logging Service. 2. Option No.2: **Custom setup**. 2.1. (Optional, but provides a structured approach to log collection). Start with creating a centralized cloud storage for all application and service logs. Create separate folder per application/cloud service, and configure streaming of logs into those folders. 2.2. Install SIEM solution in your cloud environment. For example, ElasticSearch (https://lnkd.in/e-3yvV33) or OpenSearch (https://opensearch.org/) are widely popular. 2.3. Configure streaming of all log records from different folders in centralized cloud storage (or directly from applications and services) into the corresponding indexes in SIEM. 3. In your SIEM of choice (Option No.1, or No.2), take time to review the incoming log records, and for each type of service/application define a set of filters that will help you detect application/service errors or concerning trends. 3.1. Build Dashboards to visualize your filters. 3.2. For critical errors, set up email alerts. 3.3. Deploy Alarms or Monitors that help you detect anomalies in the log records, as well as their corresponding Alerts. 3.4. Test your Dashboards and Alerts to make sure they provide enough data reference points and good insights into data in case of security or operational incidents. 4. Review the Dashboards provided by your XDR (e.g. Wazuh, for example). Over time, fine-tune filters to reduce the number of incoming security events. 5. Configure email Alerts in your XDR on High and Critical impact events. 6. Make rule to visit your SIEM and XDR Dashboards at least 2-3 times a week. 7. Over time, reduce the number of incoming email Alerts to the most significant ones. Be pro-active with data, filter out noise, prioritize the most impactful events, to achieve the best observability and incident management results. #cloudsecurity #siem #xdr #centralizedlogging #fulltrust

CloudCommotion: Elevate Your Cloud Security Testing Hello LinkedIn Community, Excited to share a powerful tool for enhancing cloud security testing: #CloudCommotion by Security Runners. Designed to help security professionals identify and address vulnerabilities in cloud environments using Terraform, this tool is a must-have for proactive cloud security management. What is CloudCommotion? CloudCommotion is an open-source security testing tool that enables comprehensive assessments of cloud infrastructure, ensuring that vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated effectively. Key Features: - Comprehensive Scanning: Performs thorough scans of cloud environments to detect vulnerabilities. - Cloud Service Integration: Seamlessly integrates with major cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, and Google Cloud. - Automated Testing: Automates routine security tests, saving time and increasing efficiency. - Detailed Reporting: Generates detailed reports to help understand and address security weaknesses. Benefits of Using CloudCommotion: 1. Enhanced Security Posture: Identifies potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. 2. Efficiency and Accuracy: Automates repetitive tasks, reducing the likelihood of human error and increasing testing accuracy. 3. Scalability: Suitable for organizations of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. 4. Proactive Defense: Helps in maintaining a proactive security stance by regularly testing cloud environments. How to Get Started with CloudCommotion: 1. Clone the Repository: ```bash git clone https://lnkd.in/eHWBHap6 cd CloudCommotion ``` 2. Install Dependencies: ```bash pip install -r requirements.txt ``` 3. Configure Cloud Credentials: Set up your cloud credentials to allow CloudCommotion to access and test your cloud environment. 4. Run CloudCommotion: ```bash python cloudcommotion.py ``` Takeaway: CloudCommotion is a robust tool that simplifies the process of securing cloud environments. By integrating this tool into your security workflow, you can ensure your cloud infrastructure is resilient against potential threats. How is your organization securing its cloud infrastructure? Have you tried CloudCommotion yet? Share your experiences and let's discuss best practices for cloud security. #CloudSecurity #CyberSecurity #CloudCommotion #OpenSource #SecurityTesting #AWS #Azure #GoogleCloud #TechSecurity Check out CloudCommotion on GitHub: https://lnkd.in/eHWBHap6

Top 10 Cloud Security Challenges and Risks 1. Broad Attack Surface A cloud environment can have hundreds or thousands of entities, which change on a daily basis. Entities are often short-lived and there is limited visibility over what is running, who has access to it, and how it is configured.  In addition, there can be a huge variety of systems running in a cloud deployment, including compute instances, managed services, containers, serverless functions, and virtualized networks. Each of these has its own configuration options, security weaknesses, and best practices, and each represents a point of entry for attackers. 2. Unauthorized Access  Cloud infrastructure is outside the corporate network perimeter, and can be directly accessed from the public internet. This makes cloud resources more accessible but also makes it much easier for attackers to connect to a system and gain access. It is a major challenge to ensure that all cloud resources have properly configured authentication, and that passwords for privileged roles are not shared or compromised. 3. Lack of Visibility and Tracking When employing an infrastructure as a service (IaaS) model, cloud providers assume full control over some aspects of the infrastructure layer, and customers have no access to it. This is even more true for platforms as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS). As a result, cloud customers find it difficult to visualize the environment, discover assets and monitor them effectively. 4. Ever-Changing Workloads Cloud environments make it possible to provision and shut down assets in a dynamic manner, at high scale, and with velocity. Traditional security tools cannot enforce protection policies for continuously changing and transitory workloads. 5. Malicious Insiders  Malicious insiders could be users with ill intent who have privileges to access cloud resources, or benign users whose accounts were compromised by an attacker. In the cloud, it is even more difficult to prevent insider threats. Cloud-based infrastructure is accessible from the public internet, making it easier for attackers to leverage compromised accounts. Security misconfigurations can allow malicious users to escalate privileges across cloud deployments. 6. Insecure Interfaces/APIs Cloud infrastructure uses APIs heavily for automation and integration between services and resources. These APIs tend to be well-documented, and this means they can be reverse-engineered by attackers. Attackers can use API documentation to exploit methods for gaining unauthorized access or exfiltrating data, if APIs have not been properly secured. 7. High Velocity DevOps Workflows Many organizations are developing cloud systems using DevOps methods, with a rapid CI/CD development process. This makes it critical to build security controls into source code and deployment templates from the beginning of the development lifecycle. This approach, in which security shifts left in the process,

Boost cloud security with Cisco's insights on DevSecOps. Embrace multicloud environments, reduce misconfigurations, and integrate security into your development lifecycle for better protection and faster remediation. http://oal.lu/N5yqJ #CloudSecurity #DevSecOps #Cisco

🔐 Navigating the complexities of hybrid cloud security? Discover how the multi-layered approach and Identity and Access Management (IAM) can fortify your infrastructure. Hybrid clouds blend on-prem security with cloud scalability, but they also widen the attack surface. A robust IAM strategy is crucial, with tools like OPAL offering dynamic solutions for authorization challenges. Key takeaways: ✅ Embrace "Identity Infrastructure as Code" for agile, secure IAM processes. ✅ OPAL's edge-first architecture centralizes policy management, ensuring real-time updates and consistent enforcement. ✅ Reduced latency and increased resilience with OPAL's local authorization decisions. Stay ahead in hybrid cloud security by leveraging tools like OPAL for efficient, real-time access control. 🚀 🌟 Support OPAL on GitHub and join the conversation on Slack! #HybridCloud #CloudSecurity #IAM #OPAL #Cybersecurity #DevOps #TechInnovation https://lnkd.in/gEsKX38y

Boost cloud security with Cisco's insights on DevSecOps. Embrace multicloud environments, reduce misconfigurations, and integrate security into your development lifecycle for better protection and faster remediation. http://oal.lu/BGyvK #CloudSecurity #DevSecOps #Cisco

Boost cloud security with Cisco's insights on DevSecOps. Embrace multicloud environments, reduce misconfigurations, and integrate security into your development lifecycle for better protection and faster remediation. http://oal.lu/AtTj0 #CloudSecurity #DevSecOps #Cisco