Cloud Security Checklist

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CLOUD

SECURITY
CHECKLIST

Prepared by HANIM EKEN

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken
Cloud security checklist:

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM):

Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).


Use role-based access controls (RBAC) to limit permissions based on user roles and
responsibilities.
Regularly review and audit user permissions to ensure least privilege access.
Enable logging and monitoring of user activities for accountability and security incident
detection.

2. Data Encryption:

Encrypt data at rest using encryption keys managed by the cloud provider or customer-
managed keys.
Encrypt data in transit using Transport Layer Security (TLS) or other secure
communication protocols.
Implement encryption for sensitive data stored in databases, storage buckets, and other
repositories.

3. Network Security:

Segregate network resources using virtual private clouds (VPCs) or network security
groups (NSGs) to control traffic flow.
Use firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to monitor and filter
incoming and outgoing traffic.
Implement network access controls, such as IP whitelisting and blacklisting, to restrict
access to authorized users and applications.

4. Data Protection:

Regularly back up data and ensure backups are stored securely and can be easily restored
in case of data loss or corruption.
Implement data loss prevention (DLP) measures to prevent unauthorized access, sharing,
or leakage of sensitive data.
Monitor data access and usage patterns for anomalies or unauthorized activities.

5. Compliance and Governance:

Understand and comply with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards
applicable to your organization and data.
Implement governance policies and procedures for cloud usage, including procurement,
deployment, and decommissioning of resources.
Conduct regular compliance audits and assessments to ensure adherence to security
standards and regulations.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken
6. Incident Response and Recovery:

Develop and maintain an incident response plan outlining roles, responsibilities, and
procedures for responding to security incidents.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities and
weaknesses in cloud infrastructure and applications.
Establish communication channels and partnerships with cloud service providers and
security vendors for incident reporting and collaboration.
Monitoring and Logging:
Enable logging and monitoring of cloud infrastructure, applications, and user activities.
Set up alerts and notifications for suspicious activities, security events, and resource
utilization anomalies.
Regularly review and analyze logs and monitoring data to detect and respond to security
incidents promptly.

7. Training and Awareness:

Provide security awareness training to employees, contractors, and partners on cloud


security best practices, policies, and procedures.
Conduct regular security drills and simulations to test incident response capabilities and
employee readiness.

8. Cloud Provider Security Assurance:

Understand the security measures and assurances provided by the cloud service provider
(CSP) and ensure they align with your organization's security requirements.
Review and assess the CSP's security certifications, compliance reports, and audit
findings to evaluate their security posture.
Establish clear roles and responsibilities for security management, including shared
responsibility for security between the organization and the CSP.

9. Continuous Improvement:

Regularly review and update cloud security policies, procedures, and controls to adapt to
evolving threats and regulatory requirements.
Conduct post-incident reviews and lessons learned sessions to identify areas for
improvement and implement corrective actions.
Stay informed about emerging cloud security trends, best practices, and technologies to
enhance your organization's security posture over time.

HANIM EKEN
https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken

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