Book Image

Cloud Auditing Best Practices

By : Shinesa Cambric, Michael Ratemo
5 (1)
Book Image

Cloud Auditing Best Practices

5 (1)
By: Shinesa Cambric, Michael Ratemo

Overview of this book

As more and more companies are moving to cloud and multi-cloud environments, being able to assess the compliance of these environments properly is becoming more important. But in this fast-moving domain, getting the most up-to-date information is a challenge—so where do you turn? Cloud Auditing Best Practices has all the information you’ll need. With an explanation of the fundamental concepts and hands-on walk-throughs of the three big cloud players, this book will get you up to speed with cloud auditing before you know it. After a quick introduction to cloud architecture and an understanding of the importance of performing cloud control assessments, you’ll quickly get to grips with navigating AWS, Azure, and GCP cloud environments. As you explore the vital role an IT auditor plays in any company’s network, you'll learn how to successfully build cloud IT auditing programs, including using standard tools such as Terraform, Azure Automation, AWS Policy Sentry, and many more. You’ll also get plenty of tips and tricks for preparing an effective and advanced audit and understanding how to monitor and assess cloud environments using standard tools. By the end of this book, you will be able to confidently apply and assess security controls for AWS, Azure, and GCP, allowing you to independently and effectively confirm compliance in the cloud.
Table of Contents (16 chapters)
1
Part 1: The Basics of Cloud Architecture and Navigating – Understanding Enterprise Cloud Auditing Essentials
4
Part 2: Cloud Security and IT Controls
8
Part 3: Executing an Effective Enterprise Cloud Audit Plan

Preparing to assess cloud IAM controls

As we covered in Chapter 2, Effective Techniques for Preparing to Audit Cloud Environments, developing a good audit plan requires a thorough understanding of how the enterprise environment is architected and connected. When it comes to IAM controls, knowing that the cloud environment is federated with another identity store versus using a localized identity store only, for example, will change the test procedures that should be used and the evidence that you would expect to gather. It may also influence the points of contact within the organization you would need to work with to obtain evidence details. In addition to understanding the architecture and integration design of the environment, like other audits, it’s essential to understand the risk and control objectives the organization is trying to address as part of the cloud audit process. As we’ve uncovered throughout Chapter 1, Cloud Architecture and Navigation, to Chapter 6...