✈️Cloud Security Baseline for Azure Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Minimum Cloud Security Baseline for Azure Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

   • Control: Use Azure Active Directory (AAD) for authentication.

     • Recommendation: Ensure that access to IaC tools and resources is managed through AAD. Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access based on user roles.

   • Control: Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).

     • Recommendation: Assign the least privilege necessary for each role. Regularly review and update role assignments.

   • Control: Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

     • Recommendation: Require MFA for all users accessing the IaC management environment.

2. Version Control and Code Management

   • Control: Use a Version Control System (VCS).

     • Recommendation: Store all IaC scripts and templates in a version-controlled repository (e.g., Git). This ensures traceability and the ability to revert changes if necessary.

   • Control: Implement Branching Strategies.

     • Recommendation: Use branching strategies (e.g., Gitflow) to manage changes and ensure that code is reviewed and tested before merging into the main branch.

   • Control: Enforce Code Reviews.

     • Recommendation: Require peer reviews for all changes to IaC code to catch potential security issues before deployment.

3. Security Scanning and Compliance

   • Control: Implement Static Code Analysis.

     • Recommendation: Use tools like Terraform Validate, ARM Template Validator, or Azure Policy as Code to scan IaC scripts for security vulnerabilities and compliance issues.

   • Control: Use Infrastructure as Code Security Tools.

     • Recommendation: Integrate security tools such as Checkov, TFSec, or Azure DevOps Security Scanners to identify and remediate potential security issues in IaC code.

   • Control: Enforce Compliance Checks.

     • Recommendation: Implement automated compliance checks against regulatory standards (e.g., CIS, NIST) as part of the CI/CD pipeline.

4. Environment Configuration and Secrets Management

   • Control: Securely Manage Secrets and Credentials.

     • Recommendation: Use Azure Key Vault to store and manage secrets, API keys, and certificates securely. Avoid hardcoding secrets in IaC scripts.

   • Control: Implement Environment Isolation.

     • Recommendation: Use separate environments (development, staging, production) and ensure that configurations are isolated to prevent cross-environment access.

5. Logging and Monitoring

   • Control: Enable Logging for IaC Deployments.

     • Recommendation: Configure logging for all IaC deployment activities. Use Azure Monitor and Log Analytics to aggregate and analyze logs.

   • Control: Implement Continuous Monitoring.

     • Recommendation: Set up continuous monitoring for deployed resources using Azure Security Center and Azure Monitor to detect and respond to security incidents.

   • Control: Audit Changes Regularly.

     • Recommendation: Regularly audit changes to the IaC codebase and deployed resources to ensure compliance with security policies.

6. Automated Testing and CI/CD Integration

   • Control: Integrate IaC with CI/CD Pipelines.

     • Recommendation: Use Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or other CI/CD tools to automate the deployment of IaC. Ensure that security checks are integrated into the pipeline.

   • Control: Implement Automated Testing.

     • Recommendation: Use automated testing frameworks to validate IaC scripts and templates. Include unit tests, integration tests, and security tests in the CI/CD pipeline.

   • Control: Enforce Build and Release Gates.

     • Recommendation: Use gates in the CI/CD pipeline to enforce that deployments only proceed if all security and compliance checks pass.

7. Backup and Recovery

   • Control: Regular Backups of Configuration.

     • Recommendation: Regularly back up IaC configuration files and repository states. Ensure backups are stored securely and are encrypted.

   • Control: Disaster Recovery Planning.

     • Recommendation: Develop and test a disaster recovery plan for IaC code and deployed infrastructure. Ensure the plan includes steps for restoring from backups.

8. Endpoint Security

   • Control: Secure Workstations and CI/CD Runners.

     • Recommendation: Ensure that workstations and CI/CD runners used to manage IaC are secured with up-to-date antivirus and endpoint protection solutions.

   • Control: Implement Network Security.

     • Recommendation: Use network security groups (NSGs) and firewalls to protect the infrastructure managed by IaC from unauthorized access.