Source URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/articles/implementing-ccm-infrastructure-security-controls
Source: CSA
Title: Implementing CCM: Infrastructure Security Controls
Feedly Summary:
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) framework, specifically the Infrastructure & Virtualization Security (IVS) domain, serves as a crucial guide for cloud computing security. It outlines 9 control specifications that address both cloud service providers (CSPs) and cloud service customers (CSCs). Key insights include the shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs for security controls, the importance of robust policy documentation, and the implementation of best practices to mitigate risks.
Detailed Description:
The content focuses on the Infrastructure & Virtualization Security (IVS) domain of the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM), a framework designed for assessing and ensuring security in cloud environments. Below is a detailed breakdown of key insights and significance:
– **CCM Overview:**
– The Cloud Controls Matrix is a framework comprising 197 control objectives across 17 domains aimed at enhancing cloud security.
– **IVS Domain Specifics:**
– The IVS domain targets protective measures over hardware, software, networks, and virtualization technologies.
– Comprises 9 control specifications divided into critical areas affecting cloud service delivery.
– **Control Specifications:**
– **Infrastructure and Virtualization Security Policy and Procedures:** Establish guidelines and processes for infrastructure security, adapting to various cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
– **Capacity and Resource Planning:** Ensures resource availability and performance; mainly CSP’s responsibility.
– **Network Security:** Focuses on securing communications with guidelines for authentication, authorization, and documentation for configurations.
– **OS Hardening and Base Controls:** Emphasizes the importance of securing OS and hypervisors, with responsibilities shifting between CSP and CSC based on service models.
– **Production and Non-Production Environments:** Stresses the importance of isolating production environments from non-production.
– **Segmentation and Segregation:** Ensures proper access control within multi-tenant environments.
– **Migration to Cloud Environments:** Advises using secure, encrypted channels for data migrations.
– **Network Architecture Documentation:** Highlights the documentation of high-risk areas for compliance and risk assessments.
– **Network Defense:** Establish procedures for defense-in-depth against attacks.
– **Shared Responsibilities:**
– An interesting aspect of IVS is its delineation of responsibilities between the CSP and CSC, which varies with the cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS). This is critical to understanding accountability in security controls.
– **Implementation Best Practices:**
– Encourages practices like maintaining an inventory of services, enforcing encryption, and conducting regular audits. This is vital for security professionals to effectively mitigate risks.
– **Risk Mitigation:**
– The document provides a list of potential risks associated with cloud infrastructure, along with corresponding IVS controls that help mitigate these risks, such as unauthorized access, data loss, insecure configurations, and more.
In conclusion, the IVS domain of the CCM is essential for organizations leveraging cloud services as it clearly maps out critical security controls, shared responsibilities, and best practices. This framework supports compliance, enhances security posture, and arms security professionals with guidance to protect against evolving threats in cloud environments.