SEC06: How do you protect your compute resources?

Compute resources in your workload require multiple layers of defense to help protect from external and internal threats. Compute resources include EC2 instances, containers, AWS Lambda functions, database services, IoT devices, and more. Recommendations in this section focus on three main areas: defending against threats, reducing the attack surface, and implementing a uniform baseline. Defending against threats includes implementing a vulnerability management program, reducing the attack surface, and implementing automated patching.

Best Practices

This question includes the following best practices:

Key Concepts

Compute Security Fundamentals

Defense in Depth: Implement multiple layers of security controls across your compute infrastructure. This includes host-based security, application security, container security, and serverless security measures.

Attack Surface Reduction: Minimize the potential entry points for attackers by removing unnecessary software, closing unused ports, disabling unneeded services, and implementing least privilege access.

Vulnerability Management: Establish systematic processes to identify, assess, prioritize, and remediate security vulnerabilities across all compute resources throughout their lifecycle.

Automated Protection: Implement automated security controls and responses to reduce human error, ensure consistency, and enable rapid response to threats at scale.

Compute Resource Types and Security Considerations

Virtual Machines (EC2): Traditional compute instances requiring OS-level security, patch management, host-based intrusion detection, and configuration hardening.

Containers: Lightweight, portable compute units requiring container image security, runtime protection, orchestration security, and supply chain security.

Serverless Functions (Lambda): Event-driven compute requiring function-level security, dependency management, execution environment protection, and secure coding practices.

Database Services: Managed and self-managed databases requiring access controls, encryption, audit logging, and vulnerability management.

IoT and Edge Devices: Distributed compute resources requiring device authentication, secure communication, firmware management, and physical security.

AWS Services to Consider

Amazon Inspector

Automatically assesses applications for exposure, vulnerabilities, and deviations from best practices. Provides detailed findings and remediation guidance for EC2 instances and container images.

AWS Systems Manager

Gives you visibility and control of your infrastructure on AWS. Provides patch management, configuration management, and automation capabilities for compute resources.

Amazon GuardDuty

Provides intelligent threat detection for your AWS accounts and workloads. Includes runtime protection for EC2 instances, containers, and serverless functions.

AWS Security Hub

Provides a comprehensive view of your security state in AWS. Centralizes security findings from compute security tools and provides compliance dashboards.

Amazon ECR (Elastic Container Registry)

Fully managed Docker container registry that makes it easy to store, manage, and deploy Docker container images. Includes vulnerability scanning for container images.

AWS Lambda

Lets you run code without provisioning or managing servers. Provides built-in security features and integrates with other AWS security services for comprehensive protection.

Implementation Approach

1. Vulnerability Management Program

Implement continuous vulnerability scanning across all compute resources
Establish vulnerability assessment and prioritization processes
Create automated patching workflows for operating systems and applications
Set up vulnerability tracking and remediation reporting
Integrate vulnerability management with CI/CD pipelines

2. Attack Surface Reduction

Harden operating system configurations and remove unnecessary components
Implement least privilege access for compute resources
Disable unused services and close unnecessary network ports
Use minimal base images for containers and serverless functions
Implement network segmentation and micro-segmentation

3. Automated Security Controls

Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions
Implement automated patch management and configuration drift detection
Set up runtime security monitoring and threat detection
Configure automated incident response and remediation
Establish security baseline enforcement and compliance monitoring

4. Secure Development and Deployment

Implement secure coding practices and code review processes
Integrate security testing into CI/CD pipelines
Use infrastructure as code for consistent security configurations
Implement container image scanning and signing
Establish secure software supply chain practices

Compute Security Architecture

Multi-Layer Compute Protection

Vulnerability Management Lifecycle

Secure Development Integration

Compute Security Controls Framework

Preventive Controls

Hardening: OS configuration, service minimization, secure baselines
Access Controls: Least privilege, role-based access, multi-factor authentication
Patch Management: Automated patching, vulnerability remediation, update policies
Code Security: Secure coding practices, dependency management, supply chain security

Detective Controls

Vulnerability Scanning: Continuous assessment, compliance monitoring, risk evaluation
Runtime Monitoring: Behavioral analysis, anomaly detection, threat hunting
Log Analysis: Security event correlation, audit trail analysis, compliance reporting
Integrity Monitoring: File integrity, configuration drift, unauthorized changes

Responsive Controls

Incident Response: Automated containment, forensic analysis, recovery procedures
Threat Mitigation: Real-time blocking, quarantine, traffic redirection
Patch Deployment: Emergency patching, rollback procedures, testing protocols
Recovery Operations: Backup restoration, system rebuilding, service continuity

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Patch Management at Scale

Solution: Implement AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager for automated patching, establish maintenance windows, use immutable infrastructure patterns, and implement canary deployments for updates.

Challenge: Container Security Complexity

Solution: Use Amazon ECR for image scanning, implement runtime security monitoring, establish secure base images, and integrate security into container orchestration platforms.

Challenge: Serverless Security Visibility

Solution: Implement function-level monitoring, use AWS X-Ray for tracing, establish secure coding practices for Lambda, and monitor function dependencies and permissions.

Challenge: Legacy System Protection

Solution: Implement compensating controls, use network segmentation, deploy host-based security solutions, and plan for system modernization and migration.

Challenge: DevSecOps Integration

Solution: Shift security left in development processes, automate security testing in CI/CD pipelines, provide security training for developers, and establish security champions programs.

Compute Security Maturity Levels

Level 1: Basic Compute Security

Manual vulnerability scanning and patching
Basic antivirus and host-based protection
Standard OS configurations with minimal hardening
Reactive security incident response

Level 2: Managed Compute Security

Automated vulnerability scanning and reporting
Centralized patch management and deployment
Standardized security baselines and configurations
Proactive threat detection and monitoring

Level 3: Advanced Compute Security

Continuous vulnerability assessment and remediation
Runtime protection and behavioral analysis
Automated security orchestration and response
Integrated security in development lifecycle

Level 4: Optimized Compute Security

AI/ML-powered threat detection and response
Predictive vulnerability management
Autonomous security operations and remediation
Continuous security optimization and improvement

Compute Protection Best Practices

Vulnerability Management:

Implement Continuous Scanning: Regular assessment of all compute resources
Prioritize Based on Risk: Focus on critical vulnerabilities and high-value assets
Automate Patch Deployment: Reduce time between vulnerability discovery and remediation
Test Before Deployment: Validate patches in non-production environments
Track and Report: Maintain visibility into vulnerability status and trends

Attack Surface Reduction:

Minimize Installed Software: Remove unnecessary applications and services
Harden Configurations: Apply security baselines and best practices
Implement Least Privilege: Restrict access to minimum required permissions
Use Immutable Infrastructure: Replace rather than patch infrastructure components
Regular Security Assessments: Continuously evaluate and reduce attack surface

Automation and Orchestration:

Automate Security Controls: Reduce manual processes and human error
Integrate with CI/CD: Build security into development and deployment pipelines
Implement SOAR: Security orchestration, automation, and response capabilities
Use Infrastructure as Code: Ensure consistent security configurations
Continuous Monitoring: Real-time visibility into security posture and threats

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Vulnerability Management Metrics:

Mean time to detect vulnerabilities (MTTD)
Mean time to remediate vulnerabilities (MTTR)
Vulnerability remediation rate and backlog
Critical vulnerability exposure time

Security Posture Metrics:

Security baseline compliance rate
Patch deployment success rate
Security incident frequency and impact
Attack surface reduction measurements

Operational Metrics:

Automated security control coverage
Security tool integration effectiveness
Security team productivity and efficiency
Cost of security operations and tools

Technology-Specific Considerations

EC2 Instance Security:

Use AWS Systems Manager for patch management
Implement Amazon Inspector for vulnerability assessment
Deploy GuardDuty for runtime threat detection
Use AWS Config for configuration compliance

Container Security:

Scan images with Amazon ECR vulnerability scanning
Implement runtime protection with GuardDuty for EKS
Use AWS Fargate for serverless container security
Establish secure container image pipelines

Serverless Security:

Implement function-level permissions and policies
Use AWS X-Ray for application tracing and monitoring
Secure function dependencies and third-party libraries
Monitor function execution and resource usage

Database Security:

Enable encryption at rest and in transit
Implement database activity monitoring
Use AWS Secrets Manager for credential management
Regular security assessments and compliance checks