Cloud Security Architect+

R&R -- Cloud Security Architect (for FedRAMP and IL4+ using Azure).

• NEEDS: (1) Create a secure cloud infrastructure design and deployment architecture for (2) FedRAMP and (3) IL4+ environments on Azure, using threat models, risk analysis, and AI prompts. 

• What is FedRAMP: FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program): A U.S. government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. -- FedRAMP Tailored will allow agencies to select a smaller set of controls based on information types and use, allowing them to obtain authorization more easily for these types of services. This tailoring process is explicitly allowed within NIST SP 800-53 revision 4. 

• What is IL4 (Impact Level 4): A DoD impact level that applies to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Requires stringent security controls to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, modification, or destruction. -- IL4+ implies even stricter controls than basic IL4.

• Secure Cloud Infrastructure Design (Key Principles): (7)

  1. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): -- BLUF: "Never trust, always verify." Assume breach and implement strong identity and access management (IAM), micro-segmentation, and continuous monitoring.

  2. Defense in Depth: -- BLUF: Implement multiple layers of security controls to protect against various threats.

  3. Least Privilege: -- BLUF: Grant users and services only the minimum necessary permissions.

  4. Data Encryption: -- BLUF: Encrypt data at rest and data in transit using strong encryption algorithms.

  5. Continuous Monitoring and Logging: -- BLUF: Collect and analyze logs to detect and respond to security incidents.

  6. Automated Security Controls: -- BLUF: Use automation to enforce security policies and reduce human error.

  7. Threat Modeling and Risk Analysis: -- BLUF: This is the core of your secure design. Identify threats and vulnerabilities, and assess the potential impact of risks.

• Azure Tools used for FedRAMP to meet IL4+ Compliance (w/ Actions): (8+2)

  1. Azure Government: A physically isolated instance of Azure designed for U.S. government agencies and their partners. Meets FedRAMP and IL4+ requirements.

  2. Azure AD: Provides IAM, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), conditional access, and role-based access control (RBAC).

     • Action: Mitigate threats of unauthorized access; 

     • DO: Use Azure AD conditional access policies. 

     • Prompt: Generate an Azure Policy definition that enforces MFA for all administrative users in Azure AD. 

  3. Azure Security Center & Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Provides security posture management and threat protection (1o2). Offers continuous security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and threat detection.

     • Action: (List) Create a document that lists all data flows, trust boundaries, and potential threat actors. Then use a threat modeling tool to create diagrams and threat lists. 

     • DO: Conduct Threat Modeling and Risk Analysis: (1) Use MS Threat Modeling Tools to identify potential threats. (2) Perform a risk assessment to evaluate the likelihood and impact of each threat. (3) Document the findings in a risk register.

  4. Azure Policy: Enforces organizational standards and compliance requirements at scale. Can be used to implement FedRAMP and IL4+ controls.

     • Action: (Map controls) For each threat identified, map a specific Azure control that mitigates that threat. 

     • DO: Implement Security Controls Based on Threat Model: (1) Use Azure Policy to enforce security controls based on FedRAMP and IL4+ requirements. (2) Implement network segmentation using Azure VNets and network security groups (NSGs). (3) Configure Azure Firewall to filter traffic and prevent unauthorized access.

  5. Azure Key Vault: Securely stores and manages cryptographic keys, secrets, and certificates.

     • Prompt: (List) Create a list of best practices for securing Azure Key Vault in a FedRAMP environment.

  6. Azure Virtual Network (VNet): Provides network isolation and segmentation.

     • Prompt: (Code) Generate Terraform code to deploy an Azure VNet with three subnets and an Azure Firewall. 

  7. Azure Firewall: Provides network security and threat protection (2o2).

  8. Azure Monitor & Azure Sentinel: Provides comprehensive monitoring and security information and event management (SIEM) capabilities.

     • Action: (Log) Create log analytics workspaces, enable diagnostic logs for all relevant resources, and create sentinel analytics rules that correlate logs to detect threats. 

     • DO: Enable Continuous Monitoring and Logging: (1) Configure Azure Monitor to collect logs from all Azure resources. (2) Use Azure Sentinel to analyze logs and detect security incidents. (3) Set up alerts to notify security personnel of suspicious activity.

     • Prompt: Create an Azure Sentinel query to detect brute-force attacks against Azure VMs. 

  9. Other:

     • Prompt: (Code) Create a script using Azure CLI to export all Azure activity logs from the last 7 days and store them in Azure Storage

     • Prompt: (Table) Create a table that maps NIST 800-53 controls to applicable Azure services.

• Authoritative Sources (5)

  1. FedRAMP Website: Provides official guidance and documentation on FedRAMP requirements.

  2. NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology): Publishes security standards and guidelines, including NIST SP 800-53, which is used as the basis for FedRAMP controls.

  3. CISA's Zero Trust Maturity Model (ZTMM): Complements NIST SP 800-53. 

  4. DoD Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG): Provides guidance on security requirements for DoD cloud deployments.

  5. Microsoft Azure Documentation: Provides detailed information on Azure services and security features.

  6. Cloud Security Alliance (CSA): Provides best practice guidance on cloud security.

R&R -- MS Cybersecurity Architect (CERT: SC-100).

• BLUF: Must achieve 1 of the following to take CERT: SC-100.

  1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate.

  2. Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate.

  3. Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate

• Skills Measured: (4)

  1. Designing solutions that align with security best practices, compliances (Ex. NIST or CISA ZTMM, OMB M-22-09), and priorities.

  2. Designing security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities.

  3. Designing security solutions for infrastructure.

  4. Designing security solutions for applications and data.

• Key Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Architect: (4)

  1. Design and guide the implementation of security solutions that follow Zero Trust principles and best practices.

  2. Develop security strategies (VMGO or Steve's format) for identity, devices, data, AI, applications, networks, infrastructure, and DevOps.

  3. Design solutions for Governance and Risk Compliance (GRC), security operations, and security posture management.

  4. Collaborate with leaders and practitioners in security, privacy, engineering, and other roles across the organization.

R&R -- Threat Model Development Expert

• Knowledge: (5)

  1. Security Fundamentals: Understand core security concepts like vulnerabilities, threats, attacks, risks, and countermeasures.

  2. Threat Modeling Methodologies (3): Learn popular frameworks like STRIDE, PASTA, and Trike. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on the project. ~ Note: ZT and RMF are "frameworks," not "methodologies" (step-by-step structured approach). You can use the Azure tools & framework below to aid you.

     • STRIDE (6): (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Info Disclosure, Denial-of-Service, Elevation of Privilege). -- BLUF: Simple and easy to understand, ideal for initial threat modeling or smaller projects. Steps:

       1. Define Scope: Identify the system or application you're modeling and its boundaries.

       2. Data Gathering: Understand system architecture, data flow, trust boundaries, and relevant security requirements. This may involve reviewing documentation, code, and system diagrams.

       3. Threat Identification: For each STRIDE category (Spoofing, Tampering, etc.), brainstorm potential threats and attack vectors. -- DO (6): (1) Spoofing: Can someone impersonate a legitimate user or system? (2) Tampering: Can data be modified in transit or at rest? (3) Repudiation: Can someone deny an action they performed? (4) Information Disclosure: Can unauthorized users access confidential information? (5) Denial-of-Service: Can someone disrupt or prevent legitimate users from accessing the system? (6) Elevation of Privilege: Can someone gain unauthorized access rights? 

       4. Risk Assessment: Evaluate the likelihood and impact of each identified threat. Prioritize them based on this risk assessment. 

       5. Mitigation Strategies: Develop countermeasures to mitigate the identified threats. This might involve access controls, encryption, input validation, etc.

       6. Documentation: Document the threat model, including identified threats, risks, and mitigation strategies.

     • PASTA (8): (Process for Attack Simulation & Threat Analysis). -- BLUF: More comprehensive, suitable for complex systems or those with high-security requirements. Steps:

       1. Define Business Objectives: Identify the system's purpose and critical functionality.

       2. Define Asset Scope: Identify all system components, data stores, and communication channels.

       3. Application Decomposition: Break down the system into smaller components and data flows.

       4. Threat Actor Analysis: Identify potential attackers (hackers, disgruntled employees, etc.) and their motivations.

       5. Vulnerability Analysis: Identify potential vulnerabilities within the system components.

       6. Attack Enumeration & Modeling: Simulate potential attacks based on attacker capabilities and identified vulnerabilities.

       7. Risk Assessment & Prioritization: Evaluate the likelihood and impact of each modeled attack. Prioritize threats based on risk.

       8. Countermeasure Selection & Implementation: Develop and implement mitigation strategies to address the prioritized threats.

     • Trike (3): (STRIDE + Risk Assessment). -- BLUF: Trike combines the threat identification approach of STRIDE with a risk assessment component. It follows the same steps as STRIDE (1-3), but then adds:

       1. Risk Assessment: For each identified threat, estimate the likelihood (low, medium, high) and impact (low, medium, high) on the system. Calculate a combined risk score to prioritize threats.

       2. Mitigation Strategies: Develop countermeasures based on the risk score of each threat.

       3. Documentation: Document the threat model findings, including identified threats, risk scores, and mitigation strategies.

  3. Application Security: Gain a deep understanding of common application vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10) and how they are exploited.

  4. System Architecture: Familiarity with system design principles and different architectures (cloud, microservices, etc.) will help analyze attack surfaces effectively.

  5. Risk Management: Understand risk assessment methodologies and how to prioritize threats based on likelihood and impact.

• Skills: (4)

  1. Threat Analysis: Develop a critical mindset to identify potential threats, their motivations, and attack vectors.

  2. Communication & Collaboration: Effectively communicate complex security concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

  3. Documentation: Ability to document threat models for future reference and collaboration.

  4. Tools: Familiarity with threat modeling tools like the STRIDE threat modeling tool, Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool, and ThreatModeler can streamline the process.

     • Azure doesn't directly provide a service for threat modeling but only aids in the process: (3) 

       1. Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool: This free tool integrates with Azure and helps visualize and document threat models. It supports various programming languages (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/develop/threat-modeling-tool).

       2. Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) Threat Modeling: Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework promotes secure development practices including threat modeling. The SDL provides a threat modeling guide at no additional cost (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/develop/threat-modeling-tool).

       3. Azure Resources for Threat Detection: While not strictly threat modeling, Azure offers threat detection services like Azure Defender for Cloud. These can identify suspicious activity and potential vulnerabilities, informing your threat modeling process (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/).

• Experience: (3)

  1. Hands-on Practice: The best way to learn is by doing. Participate in threat modeling workshops, hackathons, or bug bounty programs. -- Example: Formulated a Red/Blue Team Strategy/Roadmap.

  2. Contribute to Open Source Projects: Working on open-source security projects allows you to collaborate with other security professionals and gain practical experience. -- Example: Contributed to a Cybersecurity Table-top (CTT) M&S Events supporting NAVSEA.

  3. Certifications: Consider pursuing certifications like Certified Threat Modeling Professional (CTMP) to validate your skills and enhance your resume. -- My active certs are Security+CE & RMF.

• Additional Resources: (3)

  1. OWASP Threat Dragon: https://owasp.org/www-project-threat-dragon/ - Interactive threat modeling tool.

  2. SANS Institute: https://www.sans.org/ - Offers various threat modeling courses.

  3. Threat Modeling Magazine: https://threatmodeler.com/news/ - Articles and resources on threat modeling practices.