Top Ten NSA and CISA Cloud Security Strategies

NSA and CISA release a  joint guide outlining ten pivotal cloud security strategies for enterprise

In a business world dominated by cloud-based solutions, robust cloud security strategies for cloud environments have never been more vital. Recognizing this urgency, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have jointly released a top-level guide outlining ten pivotal strategies to bolster cloud security. This initiative comes amid growing concerns over the adaptation of adversaries, notably Russian intelligence services, to the cloud’s expanding landscape, as highlighted in a recent CISA report. High-profile incidents, such as software supply chain attacks and targeted nation-state operations against major cloud service platforms, further underscore the need for robust cloud security measures.

The Imperative of Formal Cloud Security Strategies

As organizations migrate data to the cloud to leverage its scalability, cost-efficiency, and flexibility, the NSA emphasizes the necessity of maintaining on-premises security parity and addressing cloud-specific threats, with consideration into how ransomware spreads and multi-cloud security challenges. This guidance serves as a response to a dynamic threat ecosystem, where the convenience of cloud services is matched by the attractiveness of these platforms to cyber adversaries.

The Top Ten Strategies

The collaborative effort between the NSA and CISA identifies ten crucial areas requiring attention to secure cloud environments effectively:

1. Upholding the Cloud Shared Responsibility Model: Clarifying the division of security responsibilities between cloud service providers (CSPs) and customers is fundamental. Misunderstandings in this area can lead to vulnerabilities, as customers might overlook critical security measures not covered by CSPs.
2. Secure Cloud Identity and Access Management Practices: Robust IAM controls are essential for safeguarding access to cloud resources, preventing unauthorized access, and minimizing potential breaches. Examples might include:
   Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Requiring multiple forms of verification for user access to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized entry.
   Least Privilege Access: Granting users the minimal level of access necessary for their role to limit the potential damage from compromised accounts.
   Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assigning permissions based on roles within the organization, and not on an individual basis, to simplify management and ensure consistency.
   Privileged Access Management (PAM): Monitoring and controlling elevated privileges and the use of administrative accounts.
   Identity Federation: Using trusted third-party services to authenticate users across multiple IT systems or organizations.
   Single Sign-On (SSO): Allowing users to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials to minimize password fatigue and reduce the risk of credential compromise.
   User Behavior Analytics (UBA): Monitoring for abnormal behavior that could indicate a compromised account.
   Regular Auditing and Reporting: Keeping logs of user activity and regularly reviewing access rights to identify and correct any inappropriate permissions.
   Automated Provisioning and Deprovisioning: Automating the process of granting and revoking access to ensure timely updates in line with personnel changes.
   Comprehensive Identity Lifecycle Management: Managing the entire lifecycle of user identities from initial creation to eventual archiving, ensuring that access rights are always current and appropriate.
3. Secure Cloud Key Management Practices: Proper management of encryption keys ensures the security of sensitive data in the cloud, protecting it from unauthorized access and leaks. Secure cloud key management practices for organizations involve:
   Centralized Key Management: Utilizing a centralized key management system to maintain oversight and control over all encryption keys.
   Regular Key Rotation: Implementing automated processes to regularly change encryption keys, reducing the risk of key compromise over time.
   Access Controls for Keys: Restricting access to encryption keys based on the principle of least privilege, ensuring only authorized personnel can use or manage keys.
   Audit Trails for Key Usage: Keeping detailed logs of when and how keys are used to ensure traceability and accountability. The creation of audit trails for key usage by meticulously logging all access and actions related to key management activities within the environment ensures a clear traceability of how encryption keys are utilized and by whom, which is crucial for maintaining accountability and complying with security and privacy standards.
   Secure Key Storage: Storing keys in secure hardware security modules (HSMs) or using a cloud service provider’s key storage service with strong security assurances.
   Data Encryption at Rest and in Transit: Encrypting sensitive data both when stored and when sent over networks, using strong cryptographic algorithms.
   Key Backup and Recovery Plans: Establishing robust backup procedures for encryption keys to prevent data loss and ensuring there are secure recovery methods in place.
   By adhering to these practices, organizations can strengthen the security of their cryptographic keys and, by extension, protect the data that these keys encrypt.
4. Network Segmentation and Encryption: Implementing segmentation within cloud environments, coupled with encryption, enhances security by isolating resources and protecting data in transit and at rest. Enterprises must embrace microsegmentation tools, the core principle of zero trust, and cybersecurity automation for protective best practices.
5. Securing Data in the Cloud: Strategies for data security must encompass comprehensive measures to protect data integrity, confidentiality, and availability in the cloud. While a seemingly broad statement, this would include implementing robust encryption methods for data at rest and in transit, employing strong access controls, and continuously monitoring for suspicious activity with real-time behavior analytics. Additionally, adopting a comprehensive data governance framework, ensuring adherence to the shared responsibility model for cloud security, and utilizing identity and access management (IAM) protocols are critical. Regularly conducting security assessments, staying compliant with cybersecurity regulatory compliance, and using advanced security solutions for threat detection and response further strengthen cloud data protection.
6. Defending Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Environments: Secure CI/CD pipelines are critical for maintaining the integrity and security of software delivery processes. Organizations can secure Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines by implementing automated security checks, adopting version control for all code and configurations, and enforcing strict access controls along with regular vulnerability scanning and code reviews.
7. Enforcing Secure Automated Deployment Practices: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices can significantly bolster security by automating and standardizing deployment processes, reducing human error. Continuously monitoring for deviations from established security baselines during automated deployments, ensuring that any drift is promptly detected and addressed, some modern platforms integrate security controls into the IaC lifecycle, enabling security policies to be consistently applied across all automated deployment processes, thereby minimizing the risk of human error and maintaining a solid security posture.
8. Addressing Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Complexities: Organizations must navigate the added security complexities of operating across multiple cloud services and hybrid environments, ensuring consistent security postures across all platforms. With a unified security solution that centralizes monitoring and management across multiple cloud services and hybrid environments, organizations can ensure consistent security postures and policies throughout the enterprise’s infrastructure. Using platforms with the ability to integrate with various environments allows for seamless enforcement of security controls, offering comprehensive visibility and control over their diverse cloud landscapes.
9. Mitigating Risks from Managed Service Providers: Due diligence and continuous monitoring of third-party providers are crucial to prevent security lapses in managed cloud services. By closely monitoring the behavior of applications and services under a providers’ control, ensuring they adhere to established security policies and configurations, it’s possible to create detailed activity logs and alerting mechanisms that provide insights into any unauthorized or anomalous actions, enabling rapid response to potential threats or policy violations.
10. Effective Management of Cloud Logs for Threat Hunting: Maintaining and analyzing cloud logs are vital for detecting, investigating, and mitigating threats in a timely manner. The TrueFort platform manages cloud logs for threat hunting by aggregating and normalizing log data across various cloud services, applying advanced analytics to identify abnormal patterns indicative of cybersecurity threats. It then correlates this information with known threat intelligence, enabling security teams to proactively detect, investigate, and respond to potential security incidents swiftly and effectively.

Implementation Challenges and Solutions

The application of these strategies, particularly in complex multi-cloud or hybrid environments, presents some significant challenges for the SOC. Success hinges on effective governance, internal communication, and continuous visibility and monitoring. Security teams, developers, and business leaders must collaborate closely, employing a unified strategy to maintain a robust security posture amidst ongoing changes.

Leveraging Platform Support

Any platform that aligns with these principles will be instrumental in achieving the goals outlined by the NSA and CISA. Such a solution can offer continuous visibility into cloud environments, enabling real-time threat detection and response. TrueFort supports secure cloud identity and access management practices by integrating with existing security infrastructure, including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, to enhance overall security without necessitating significant additional investment.

A platform that embodies these strategies offers an integrated approach to cloud security, addressing the shared responsibility model, securing sensitive data, and ensuring compliance across cloud environments. By utilizing such a solution, organizations can implement the NSA and CISA’s recommended practices and establish a proactive security posture that evolves in tandem with their cloud environments.

Embracing Cloud Security Strategies

The guidance from the NSA and CISA arrives at a critical juncture for cloud security, offering a roadmap for organizations navigating the complexities of protecting cloud-based assets. Implementing these ten strategies requires a holistic approach, combining governance, technology, and collaboration to counteract the threats facing cloud environments today effectively. By embracing these principles and leveraging advanced security platforms, organizations can secure their cloud ecosystems against current and future threats, ensuring the safe and resilient operation of their digital infrastructure in an increasingly cloud-centric world.

For more details on how the TrueFort Platform supports these ten CISA and NSA cloud security strategies and how we can help to enhance any organization’s cybersecurity defenses, please contact us for a free demonstration and a chat about real-time analytics, protecting infrastructure against zero-day threats, and how implementing microsegmentation tools and zero-trust practices can ensure cloud security safety and regulatory compliance.