Section 1.1: The Benefits of IaC

IaC proves invaluable as it mitigates challenges associated with manual processes. When resources are created manually, access control often rests solely with cloud administrators due to concerns about the potential for non-compliant resource creation. Given their accountability, cloud admins typically enforce stricter access controls.

With IaC, management occurs at the code and configuration level. If the code is sanctioned by both Security and the cloud administrators, it allows developers greater freedom to create resources. This is because they would be utilizing pre-approved code, which reduces the chances of misconfigurations that frequently accompany manual processes and facilitates the sharing of a standardized procedure.

Implementing IaC also minimizes resource waste, as cloud administrators are not limited to merely resource creation. While maintaining standards is crucial, processes and policies should be enforced to alleviate the burdens faced by cloud admins. By utilizing IaC, the "shift left" strategy can be applied, enabling security measures to be integrated into the code before deployment, with inherent security layers enforced through policy management.

Section 1.2: Addressing Security Concerns

Security remains a paramount consideration in any infrastructure management strategy. Properly applied processes and policies are essential to avoid exposing resources or sensitive data.

To enhance the security of IaC, consider the following strategies:

• Code Scanning: Utilize various open-source scanners designed to prevent the deployment of unsecured code. The choice of scanner should align with the specific use case, and it’s advisable to implement at least one.
• Secret Management: Avoid storing credentials and secrets within the code. Instead, reference or retrieve them during deployment. Tools like Azure Key Vault can be beneficial in this regard. Additionally, securing the repository is critical; inadvertently including sensitive information can lead to vulnerabilities.
• Version Control: This is essential for tracking misconfigurations and the specific deployments in use. Enabling auditing alongside version control provides a safety net for the administrative team if issues arise. Tagging resources can also help link back to the specific deployment versions.
• Access Control: Implement a least privilege access model across the process. The code should be afforded a higher access level than merely the deployment action itself. If an account is compromised, altering the code could facilitate malicious changes, such as deploying virtual machines with public access or embedding backdoor credentials. Attackers need only modify the code and await an admin's actions.
• Portal Security: Whether your code is hosted separately or integrated into your infrastructure, securing access to your IaC process is critical. Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other preventative measures can help avert unintended changes. Although securing IaC can be straightforward, vulnerabilities can easily be reintroduced, such as by disabling auditing.
• Continuous Monitoring: Security should routinely review code and processes throughout the lifecycle. As cloud platforms evolve, it's essential to keep configuration files current to meet standards. This should align with platform security; for example, if a compliance tool flags that recent resources lack encryption, the resource templates should be assessed and updated to prevent future vulnerabilities.