Main takeaways from this article:
Cloud infrastructure security protects cloud-stored data from unauthorized access and external threats.
Cloud security risks include misconfigurations, data breaches, weak identity management, technological insecurities, and threats.
Securing compute resources, storage, networking, and identity access are key components of cloud infrastructure security.
Benefits include better data protection, compliance, scalability, and improved incident response.
Wiz delivers comprehensive cloud security by providing continuous visibility, detecting vulnerabilities, and responding to threats in real-time across multi-cloud environments.
What is cloud infrastructure security?
Cloud infrastructure security describes the strategies, policies, and measures that organizations implement to protect cloud-based systems, data, and infrastructure from unauthorized access and external threats.
At its core, cloud security infrastructure aims to ensure that the data, applications, and services hosted in the cloud remain secure and inaccessible to threat actors—while ensuring data hosted in the cloud is always available to authorized users. On a practical level, cloud infrastructure security involves a combination of physical and virtual security controls, ranging from secure data centers to encryption protocols.
Why is cloud infrastructure security important?
Cloud infrastructure security is crucial as cyber threats targeting cloud environments continue to rise. Like traditional IT environments, the cloud is vulnerable to threats such as data breaches and DDoS attacks.
However, its dynamic nature introduces unique challenges, including cloud misconfigurations and limited visibility into cloud assets. Securing cloud infrastructure helps mitigate these risks and ensures the protection of sensitive data and services.
Critical cloud infrastructure security risks
With all the risks that come with operating in the cloud, cloud infrastructure security isn’t something you can afford to overlook. So, what are the main risks you should be focusing on? Let’s take a look at the top ones to look out for.
Misconfigurations: When cloud settings are incorrect, often due to human error, exposing critical data and services to potential attacks and breaches, these migrations occur.
Insecure APIs: Unsecured application programming interfaces can serve as entry points for attackers to exploit and gain access to cloud-based data and services.
Poor IAM Controls: Poor IAM practices can allow unauthorized users to access sensitive data and resources, posing a significant security risk.
Data Exposure: Sensitive data can be inadvertently exposed due to improper configurations, inadequate encryption, or excessive permissions, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.
Lack of visibility: With real-time insights into cloud activities, organizations can effectively detect and respond to security threats.
Compliance & Legal Risks: Failure to meet industry standards and regulatory requirements can result in legal penalties, data breaches, and reputational damage, underscoring the importance of continuous compliance monitoring..
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Benefits of a secure cloud infrastructure
A secure cloud infrastructure does more than just protect your data; it sets the foundation for smoother operations, easier compliance, and future growth. When you invest in cloud security, you’re investing in the resilience and flexibility of your entire organization. Let’s take a closer look at the key advantages of securing cloud infrastructure:
Enhanced data protection: Cloud infrastructure security strengthens the protection of sensitive data by utilizing encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring to prevent unauthorized access and breaches.
Regulatory compliance: Implementing cloud security ensures that organizations comply with critical regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC by following standardized security measures and frameworks.
Scalability and flexibility: Cloud security adapts as infrastructure grows, ensuring that security measures scale accordingly without sacrificing performance or protection.
Cost efficiency: Cloud security reduces the need for expensive on-premises hardware and dedicated personnel, lowering operational costs while maintaining high levels of security.
Improved incident response: With cloud security, organizations can quickly detect and respond to security incidents using automated monitoring and alert systems, minimizing potential threats and damage.
Key components of cloud infrastructure
The cloud is built on a foundation of multiple components, each playing a crucial part in keeping cloud-based services secure and running smoothly. To properly implement cloud infrastructure security, it's essential to understand these components and their significance. Here are the key pillars of cloud infrastructure:
Compute resources
Virtual machines (VMs) run applications and services just like a physical computer. Ensuring a secure cloud infrastructure means safeguarding these VMs from threats and unauthorized access.
Containers package an application and its required environment and ensure that they run consistently in different computing environments. Because each container is isolated, they offer an added layer of security.
Serverless functions are event-driven, allowing developers to run code in response to specific events without managing the underlying infrastructure where the functions execute. While the ephemeral characteristics of serverless functions can diminish the potential attack surface, it’s still essential to apply rigorous security protocols.
Storage solutions
Object storage is used for storing large amounts of unstructured data. Object storage solutions must be secured to prevent unauthorized data access or breaches.
Block storage is typically used for databases or applications. Block storage solutions require encryption and access controls to ensure data integrity and security.
File systems are hierarchical storage systems that need stringent security measures to prevent unauthorized file modifications or deletions.
Networking
Virtual private clouds (VPCs) are isolated cloud environments that allow users to control their virtual networking environment. Proper configuration is crucial to prevent potential vulnerabilities.
Content delivery networks (CDNs) distribute content across multiple locations to optimize user access. Ensuring secure data transfer and protection against DDoS attacks is vital for CDNs.
Load balancers distribute incoming network traffic across multiple servers, which is why they need to be secured to prevent potential traffic diversions or breaches.
Identity access management (IAM)
User roles define what actions a user or system can perform to help minimize potential damage from breaches.
Permissions determine which resources a user or system can access. Regular audits ensure that permissions are granted correctly.
Authentication mechanisms such as passwords and multi-factor authentication make sure that only authorized users can access resources. These measures are a cornerstone of cloud security infrastructure.
Management and monitoring tools
Cloud management consoles provide interfaces for users to oversee and track their cloud-based resources. It’s critical to make sure these consoles are accessed securely.
Logging keeps a record of all activities and helps track any anomalies or potential security threats.
Alerting systems notify stakeholders of potential security incidents, enabling swift action.
Each component of the cloud infrastructure plays a pivotal role in your overall security posture. The major takeaway? Make sure that each element is secure and regularly monitored.
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Cloud infrastructure security by cloud service model
As companies increasingly adopt cloud service models, balancing security with functionality is crucial. Each cloud service model—PaaS, SaaS, and IaaS—presents distinct security challenges and requires tailored security strategies:
Platform as a service (PaaS)
PaaS provides tools for developers to build and deploy applications, making it vital to integrate security from the outset. Key best practices include:
Patch management: Automate platform software updates to ensure consistent patching and protect against exploits.
Data encryption: Secure data at rest and in transit with strong encryption to maintain confidentiality and integrity.
Software as a service (SaaS)
Since SaaS applications are online and widely accessible, safeguarding access and data is critical. Best practices include:
User access controls & MFA: Enforce multi-factor authentication and access controls to prevent unauthorized access.
Data backup & recovery: Regular backups and a disaster recovery plan ensure data restoration in case of failures or cyberattacks.
Secure API integrations: Audit and secure API connections to prevent potential data breaches.
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
In IaaS, users control virtual environments, so securing configurations and networks is paramount. Best practices include:
Secure VM configurations: Disable unnecessary services and apply security patches promptly.
Network security: Use firewalls and intrusion detection systems while routinely monitoring traffic to mitigate threats.
Vulnerability assessments: Conduct regular scans to identify and fix potential vulnerabilities.
While cloud models offer scalability and flexibility, they also introduce security challenges. Understanding and addressing these challenges with tailored measures will help keep your data and applications secure.
Types of cloud infrastructure security by cloud architecture
When securing cloud infrastructure, different environments—public, private, and hybrid—require unique approaches to protect data and maintain compliance. Below are the key security considerations for each type of cloud infrastructure.
Public cloud
Data encryption to protect sensitive information: In a public cloud environment, resources are hosted offsite and are often shared with other organizations. Implementing solid encryption protocols for data at rest and in transit ensures that sensitive information remains confidential, even in a shared environment.
Secure access to public cloud resources: Given the open nature of the public cloud, it's crucial to have rigid access controls. This includes secure VPNs, multi-factor authentication, and strict IAM policies.
Compliance with industry-specific regulations: Organizations operating in regulated industries, like healthcare or finance, must ensure that their public cloud deployments comply with industry-specific regulations, such as HIPAA or PCI DSS.
Private cloud
Physical security of data centers: Since private clouds are often hosted on-premises or in dedicated facilities, it’s crucial to prioritize the physical security of data centers—from surveillance to access controls.
Network segmentation and isolation: Within a private cloud, segmenting and isolating networks can prevent potential breaches from spreading across the environment. This is especially important when hosting sensitive or mission-critical applications.
Regular security audits and assessments: Periodic evaluations of the private cloud environment can identify vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, allowing for quick remediation and ensuring a solid security posture.
Hybrid cloud
Secure connectivity between public and private cloud components: A hybrid cloud combines elements of both public and private clouds. Secure and encrypted connections between these components prevent data leaks or breaches.
Consistent security policies across both environments: To maintain a uniform security posture, it's essential that security policies, ranging from access controls to encryption standards, are consistent across both the public and private components of the hybrid cloud.
Data sovereignty and residency considerations: In a hybrid environment, it’s essential to understand where data resides and maintain compliance with data sovereignty laws, especially for organizations operating across borders.
In short, your choice of cloud architecture greatly influences the security measures your organization should implement.
The role of zero trust in cloud infrastructure security
Traditional security models rely on the "trust but verify" approach, which is no longer sufficient in today’s cloud environments. The zero-trust model, based on the principle of "never trust, always verify," requires rigorous verification of every user, device, and application, treating all access requests as if they come from an untrusted source.
Let's explore three key ways that zero trust helps to secure cloud infrastructure:
Here are three key ways zero trust enhances cloud security:
Strict user access controls: Unlike perimeter-based security, zero trust enforces access controls consistently, whether users are on-premises, remote, or using a public cloud, ensuring internal resources remain protected.
Continuous monitoring: Zero trust requires real-time monitoring of network traffic to detect and respond to anomalies, mitigating potential threats swiftly.
Micro-segmentation: By isolating workloads into secure zones, micro-segmentation limits lateral movement within the cloud, reducing the impact of breaches.
Zero trust provides a proactive, holistic approach to cloud security, continuously verifying access and monitoring threats to keep environments secure.
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Eight cloud infrastructure security best practices
Here are the top eight best practices, supplemented with examples and recommendations, to ensure a powerful cloud security posture:
1. Regularly update and patch
To prevent potential exploits, you should regularly update virtual machines (VMs) in the cloud with the latest security patches. The code snippet below is used to update the package lists for packages that need upgrading, as well as new package installations:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgradeRegular updates and patching are critical for several reasons:
Prevent vulnerabilities: Keeping software up-to-date ensures you remedy known security flaws before malicious actors can exploit them.
Maintain stability: Regular patching helps avoid the instability of rushed emergency updates.
Keep costs in check: Maintaining a regular patching schedule reduces the need for costlier, last-minute emergency patches and mitigates damage from potential security breaches.
Ensure compliance: Staying updated with patches ensures compliance with industry regulations and standards, often mandating regular security updates.
Integrating patching into the SDLC allows you to catch and fix issues early in the development process, ensuring a more secure cloud environment.
2. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)
For cloud management consoles like AWS Management Console or Microsoft Azure Portal, always enable MFA to add an extra layer of security. Incorporating MFA is pivotal as it ensures that accessing sensitive cloud resources requires more than just a password.
Here’s why MFA is indispensable for cloud security:
Adds an extra layer of security: MFA uses two or more verification methods, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Helps combat phishing attacks: The additional verification step prevents malicious entry even if a password is compromised.
Easy to implement: Most cloud platforms offer built-in support for MFA, making it straightforward to activate and manage.
Adaptable: MFA can adapt as threats evolve, incorporating new verification methods like biometrics or app-based authentication.
3. Encrypt data at rest and in transit
Encryption is crucial in protecting your data at rest and in transit to ensure confidentiality and integrity. Employ solutions such as AWS Key Management Service (KMS) or Azure Key Vault to administer your application's cryptographic keys.
Here's a simple Python code snippet to retrieve a key from Azure Key Vault using the Azure SDK for Python:
from azure.identity import DefaultAzureCredential
from azure.keyvault.keys import KeyClient
key_client = KeyClient(vault_url="https://my-key-vault.vault.azure.net/", credential=DefaultAzureCredential())
key = key_client.get_key("my-key-name")When encrypting data at rest, use encryption algorithms like AES-256 to enhance security. For data in transit, utilize protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) to safeguard against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
By holistically securing data, you can greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, reinforcing your customers' trust in your cloud solutions.
4. Set up continuous monitoring and auditing
Continuous monitoring and auditing protect your cloud infrastructure in real-time by quickly detecting security issues. This approach sends immediate alerts for unusual activities, enabling a fast response to potential threats.
Regular audits are crucial in maintaining compliance with industry standards. They help verify that your infrastructure remains secure and adheres to ever-evolving regulations. Automated tools facilitate these processes, making it easier to keep your cloud environment secure and compliant.
5. Regularly back up data
Schedule automatic backups for your databases hosted in cloud services like Amazon RDS or Microsoft Azure SQL Database.
Some of the best practices for scheduling backups are:
Automate backups: Automate backups to occur during off-peak hours to minimize disruption.
Include incremental backups: Use incremental backups to save storage space and reduce time.
Create redundant storage: Ensure backups are stored in multiple locations to add redundancy.
Conduct backup integrity testing: Regularly test backup integrity to ensure you can restore data correctly.
Leverage AI-driven solutions: Consider intelligent backup solutions that use AI to optimize the backup process.
6. Implement least privilege access
Establishing least privilege access reduces your attack surface by limiting user access to only whatthey need, you can reduce the risk of unauthorized access and incidents. A solid identity and access manangement (IAM) system helps control access effectively.
7. Develop and update an incident response plan
Start by defining clear incident response roles and responsibilities to ensure everyone knows their part in case of an emergency.
Your plan should mandatorily include these six elements:
Preparation: Conduct regular training sessions and simulations to keep your team ready.
Identification: Utilize cloud monitoring tools to detect unusual activities that could indicate a breach.
Containment: Have predefined procedures for isolating affected systems to prevent further damage.
Eradication: Establish a detailed plan for removing the threat from your environment.
Recovery: Outline steps to restore normal operations safely and efficiently.
Post-incident review: Regularly update your plan based on lessons learned from incident reviews.
8. Educate employees
Conduct frequent training workshops on cloud security protocols and the identification of potential threats. For instance, discuss how to spot and respond to fraudulent emails masquerading as legitimate cloud service providers requesting password verification or updates.
Additional strategies for educating staff on cloud security threats and protocols include:
Conducting regular training sessions: Plan and execute routine sessions to keep employees updated on the latest security practices and emerging threats.
Using interactive training modules: Use interactive e-learning modules that engage employees and test their knowledge of cloud security fundamentals.
Integrating phishing simulations: Implement phishing simulations to train staff in identifying and handling phishing attempts effectively.
Establishing clear guidelines and policies: Establish and communicate comprehensive security policies, ensuring employees understand their role in maintaining security.
Cloud security is a shared responsibility. While cloud providers ensure the security of the cloud, customers are responsible for the security of their data and configurations in the cloud.
Ensure secure cloud environments with Wiz
Cloud infrastructure security is pivotal to an organization's overall security strategy. Wiz offers a comprehensive solution that enables security, development, and DevOps teams to collaborate seamlessly in a self-service model designed to match the speed and scale of cloud development. With Wiz, you can continuously detect and remediate misconfigurations across hybrid clouds, identify vulnerabilities without agents, and automate least-privilege policies.
Wiz unifies workload protection and real-time threat response, monitoring cloud workloads and securing containerized applications from build to production. It ensures compliance with industry standards and proactively monitors sensitive data to prevent breaches. By integrating Wiz early in development workflows, organizations can detect vulnerabilities, reduce risks, and enhance business agility.
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Learn why CISOs at the fastest growing organizations choose Wiz to secure their cloud environments.
