As a Senior Cybersecurity Advisor, I had to perform risk analyses for various technological environments and provide security recommendations. For that I needed to employ various cybersecurity frameworks tailored to the specific situation at hand. One such framework I utilized was the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM).
CCM is a security framework that is dedicated for cloud computing. The framework was introduced by Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) a not-for-profit organization with the mission to “promote the use of best practices for providing security assurance within cloud computing. On January 2021, CSA released the version 4 of the CCM which is composed of 197 control objectives that are structured in 17 domains covering all key aspects of cloud technology.
Why we need a cybersecurity framework
A cybersecurity framework is a vital tool for organizations to proactively manage cyber risks, comply with regulations, and protect their digital assets and reputation. It provides a structured and systematic approach to cybersecurity, fostering a culture of security and resilience in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.
Understanding the Cloud Control Matrix Version
As mentioned at the begining, the Cloud Controls Matrix Version 4 (CCM v4) is organized into 17 domains, each covering a specific aspect of cloud security. These domains are shown in the below picture.
Below is a brief explanation for each of the 17 domain:
Audit and Assurance: This domain contains 6 controls and it addresses audit practices specific to cloud services, ensuring that organizations adhere to industry standards and regulations.
Application & Interface Security: This domain contains 8 controls and it focuses on securing cloud applications and interfaces, including secure development, API security, and application testing.
Business Continuity Mgmt & Op Resilience: This domain contains 11 controls and it focuses on ensuring that cloud services and environments are resilient and capable of maintaining essential business operations in the face of various disruptions, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, hardware failures, and other incidents that can impact business continuity
Change Control and Configuration Management: This domain contains 11 controls and it focuses on the management of changes in cloud environments and the configuration of cloud services to ensure that they remain secure, stable, and compliant.
Cryptography, Encryption & Key Management: This domain contains 21 controls and it focuses on the secure use of cryptographic techniques, encryption, and the management of encryption keys in cloud environments.
Datacenter Security: This domain contains 15 controls and it focuses on security practices, controls, and considerations specific to data centers that host cloud services and infrastructure.
Data Security and Privacy Lifecycle Management: This domain contains 19 controls and it focuses on managing data security and privacy throughout its lifecycle within cloud environments.
Governance, Risk and Compliance: This domain contains 8 controls and it focuses on the importance of a robust governance structure, effective risk management practices, and strict compliance measures within cloud environments.
Human Resources Security: This domain contains 13 controls and it aim to establish, communicate, and maintain policies and procedures for various aspects of employee management in the context of cloud environments.
Identity & Access Management: This domain contains 16 controls and it addresses the management of user identities, access rights, and permissions within cloud environments. IAM is essential for ensuring that only authorized individuals and systems can access cloud resources and data.
Interoperability & Portability: This domain contains 4 controls and it focuses on the ability of cloud services and systems to work together effectively and the ease with which cloud resources can be moved or transferred between different providers or environments.
Infrastructure & Virtualization Security: This domain contains 9 controls and it ensure the security and integrity of the underlying hardware, software, and virtualization technologies that support cloud services.
Logging and Monitoring: This domain contains 13 controls and it focuses on the practices and controls related to the collection, analysis, and management of logs and the real-time monitoring of cloud services.
Security Incident Management, E-Discovery, & Cloud Forensics: This domain contains 8 controls and it focuses on 3 pillars. Security Incident Management which involves responding to and mitigating security incidents, E-Discovery a process of identifying and managing electronic data for legal purposes, and Cloud Forensics which include investigation and analysis of digital evidence within cloud environments.
Supply Chain Management, Transparency, and Accountability: This domain contains 14 controls and it deals with ensuring clear responsibility and security across the cloud supply chain. It includes setting policies, guidance, and agreements to make sure everyone in the supply chain follows security standards and meets transparency requirements.
Threat & Vulnerability Management: This domain contains 10 controls and it provides a set of best practices for identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats and vulnerabilities within cloud environments.
Universal Endpoint Management: This domain contains 14 controls and It involves establishing policies and procedures for endpoint security, including approved applications and services, device compatibility, inventory management, and enforcement of security controls. This domain also emphasizes the protection of data through encryption, anti-malware measures, firewalls, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies
How to use the Cloud Control Matrix
We will walk you through the step-by-step process of using the Cloud Control Matrix to evaluate a cloud solution built within AWS. Our example will focus on a typical AWS setup consisting of an EC2 instance, an S3 bucket, and an RDS database. Through this evaluation, we will demonstrate how to assess, implement, and maintain controls to enhance the security and compliance of the AWS environment. By following these steps, we can proactively manage risks and protect the cloud resources effectively.
First, we need to identify the various components that make up our environment. In our case, we utilize the following AWS services:
EC2 instances
RDS Database
S3 Bucket
The second step involves identifying the distinct security domains and controls that could be applicable to each of the AWS services. For instance, the Identity & Access Management domain encompasses a security control that can assist us in ensuring authorized access to the EC2 instances. In the third step, we should map the identified security controls to AWS implementation guidelines, which are available in AWS documentation.
EC2 Instance:
1. Identity & Access Management - IAM
Control title: Authorization Mechanisms - IAM-16
Control objective: Ensure only authorized users have access.
Implementation:
Create IAM roles and policies for EC2 instances to control access to AWS services.
Utilize IAM instance profiles to grant necessary permissions to EC2 instances.
2. Cryptography, Encryption & Key Management - CEK
Control Title: Data Encryption - CEK-03
Control objective: Protect data at rest and in transit.
Implementation:
Encrypt data stored on the EC2 instance using EBS encryption or third-party solutions.
Use SSL/TLS for secure communication between the EC2 instance and other services.
3. Security Incident Management, E-Discovery, & Cloud Forensics - SEF
Control title: Incident Response Metrics - SEF-05
Control objective: Establish an incident response plan.
Implementation:
Set up CloudWatch alarms to monitor EC2 instance metrics.
Integrate AWS CloudTrail for auditing and tracking any suspicious activities.
S3 Bucket:
1. Data Security and Privacy Lifecycle Management - DSP
Control title: Sensitive Data Protection
Control objective: Protect Data
Implementation:
Apply S3 bucket policies and ACLs to restrict access to only authorized users
Configure S3 bucket versioning to track changes and protect against data loss.
2. Cryptography, Encryption & Key Management - CEK
Control title: Data Encryption - CEK-03
Control objective: Encrypt sensitive data.
Implementation:
Enable server-side encryption using AWS-managed keys (SSE-S3) or customer-provided keys (SSE-C).
Implement client-side encryption for data uploaded to the S3 bucket.
3. Identity and Access Management:
Control title: Least Privilege- IAM-05, User Access Provisioning- IAM-06, Authorization Mechanisms- IAM-16.
Control objective: Ensure proper access control
Implementation:
Use IAM policies to control access at the user and group level.
Implement access logging and monitor S3 access via AWS CloudTrail.
RDS Database:
1. Cryptography, Encryption & Key Management - CEK
Control title: Data Encryption - CEK-03
Control objective: Protect sensitive data.
Implementation:
Enable encryption at rest for RDS using AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
Use SSL/TLS for data in transit between the application and the RDS instance.
2. Infrastructure & Virtualization Security - IVS
Control title: Network Security - IVS-03
Control objective: Implement database security best practices.
Implementation:
Configure security groups and network ACLs to restrict access to the RDS instance.
3. Logging and Monitoring:
Control title: Security Monitoring and Alerting - LOG-03
Control objective: Monitor database activity.
Implementation:
Enable RDS Enhanced Monitoring to track performance and resource utilization.
Set up RDS event notifications and integrate with AWS CloudWatch for alarms.
4. Security Incident Management, E-Discovery, & Cloud Forensics - SEF:
Control title: Incident Response Metrics - SEF-05
Control objective: Prepare for database security incidents.
Implementation:
Enable AWS Security Hub
Enable AWS Incident Manager
In the scenario above, I have attempted to demonstrate how to apply the Cloud Controls Matrix in a real-life situation. It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of all the security controls that should be considered. The primary aim of a security framework is to provide a structured approach for implementing your security controls. And lastly, always keep in mind the need to regularly review and adapt your controls as your AWS environment evolves.
References:
Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM): https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/research/cloud-controls-matrix/
CCM v4.0 Implementation Guidelines: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/artifacts/ccm-v4-0-implementation-guidelines/
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