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