Cloud Blog: Locking down Cloud Run: Inside Commerzbank’s adoption of custom org policies

Source URL: https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/financial-services/commerzbank-cloud-run-custom-org-policies/
Source: Cloud Blog
Title: Locking down Cloud Run: Inside Commerzbank’s adoption of custom org policies

Feedly Summary: Usually, financial institutions process multiple millions of transactions daily. Obviously, when running on cloud technology, any security lapse in their cloud infrastructure might have catastrophic consequences. In serverless setups for compute workloads Cloud Run on Google Cloud is employed. That’s why we are happy to announce the general availability of Google Cloud’s custom org policies to fortify Cloud Run environments and ensure it can be aligned seamlessly to fulfill the weakest up to stringent regulatory standards.
Financial service institutions operate under stringent global and local regulatory frameworks and bodies, such as regulations from the EU’s European Banking Authority, US Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Also, the sensitive nature of financial data necessitates robust security measures. Hence, maintaining a comprehensive security posture is of major importance, encompassing both coarse-grained and fine-grained controls to address internal and external threats.

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Tailored Security, Configurable to Customer’s Needs
Custom Org Policies for Cloud Run provide fine-grained control over Cloud Run configurations. It is now possible to dictate:

Network Access: Reduce unauthorized access attempts by precisely defining VPC configurations and ingress settings.

Deployment Security: Mandatory binary authorization is able to prevent potentially harmful deployments.

Resource Efficiency: Constraints on memory and CPU usage ensure getting the most out of  cloud resources.

Stability & Consistency: Limiting the use of Cloud Run features to those in general vailability (GA) and enforcing standardized naming conventions enables a predictable, manageable environment.

This level of customization enables building a Cloud Run environment that’s not just secure, but also perfectly aligned with unique operational requirements.
Addressing the Complexities of Commerzbank’s Cloud Run Setup
Within Commerzbank’s Big Data & Advanced Analytics division, the company leverages cloud technology for its inherent benefits, particularly serverless services. Cloud Run is a crucial component of our serverless architecture and stretches across many applications due to its flexibility. While Cloud Run already offered security features such as VPC Service Controls, multi-regionality, and CMEK support, granular control over all Cloud Run’s capabilities was initially limited.
Diagram illustrating simplified policy management with Custom Org Policies

Better Together
The introduction of Custom Org Policies for Cloud Run now allows Commerzbank to directly map its rigorous security controls, ensuring compliant use of the service. This enhanced control enables the full-scale adoption and scalability of Cloud Run to support our business needs.
The granular control possible due to Custom Org Policies has been a game-changer. Commerzbank and customers like it can now tailor their security policies to their exact needs, preventing potential breaches and ensuring regulatory compliance.
A Secure Foundation for Innovation
Custom Org Policies have become an indispensable part of the cloud security toolkit. Their ability to enforce granular, tailored controls has boosted Commerzbank’s Cloud Run security and compliance. This newfound confidence allows them to innovate with agility, knowing their cloud infrastructure is locked down.
If you’re looking to enhance your Cloud Run security and compliance, we highly recommend exploring Custom Org Policies. They’ve been instrumental in Commerzbank’s journey, and we’re confident they can benefit your organization, too.
Looking Ahead: We’re also eager to explore how to leverage custom org policies for other Google Cloud services as Commerzbank continues to expand its cloud footprint. The bank’s commitment to security and compliance is unwavering, and custom org policies will remain a cornerstone of Commerzbank’s strategy.

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses the importance of security in cloud environments, specifically focusing on Google Cloud’s new Custom Org Policies for Cloud Run, which help financial institutions like Commerzbank meet stringent regulatory requirements. These policies enable tailored security controls that enhance compliance and reduce vulnerabilities in cloud infrastructure.

Detailed Description: The text emphasizes the critical need for robust security measures in the financial sector, particularly when utilizing cloud technology. Major points include:

– **Cloud Security Importance**: Financial institutions handle significant transaction volumes daily and face severe consequences from potential breaches.
– **Regulatory Frameworks**: Institutions operate under strict regulations from bodies like the EU’s European Banking Authority and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, necessitating comprehensive security protocols.
– **Introduction of Custom Org Policies**:
– **Fine-Grained Controls**: Organizations can customize their Cloud Run configurations to allow specific network access, improve deployment security, and optimize resource usage.
– **Enforcement of Security Measures**: Features such as mandatory binary authorization enhance deployment security significantly.

– **Case Study – Commerzbank**:
– The bank has integrated Cloud Run within its advanced analytics division, taking advantage of its serverless architecture.
– Enhanced security controls through Custom Org Policies enable compliance with rigorous standards, thereby allowing the bank to maintain a secure and scalable cloud environment.

– **Operational Advantages**:
– **Predictability and Manageability**: Implementing standardized naming conventions and restricting use to generally available features enhance operational stability.
– **Enhanced Security Posture**: By tailoring security policies, organizations can prevent breaches and maintain regulatory compliance while enabling innovation.

– **Future Directions**: Commerzbank is looking into utilizing custom org policies across other Google Cloud services, highlighting a commitment to continuous improvement in security and compliance.

In conclusion, the emphasis on the introduction of tailored security policies in cloud environments illustrates a practical approach for organizations in the financial sector to secure their cloud infrastructure while adhering to complex regulatory landscapes. This proactive adaptation can serve as a model for other institutions facing similar challenges.