How can you manage access control in Cloud IaaS?

Managing access control in Cloud IaaS is crucial for security. Use Identity and Access Management (IAM) to create users, groups, roles, and permissions. Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for specific permissions based on roles. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added security. Apply the least privilege principle and use temporary access credentials when needed. Monitor access with logging and network security measures. Ensure data encryption at rest and in transit. Regularly audit the cloud environment for security gaps and misconfigurations. These best practices help maintain the security and integrity of cloud resources.

In general, you can choose between cloud-native solutions and third-party solutions. Cloud-native access control is part of the cloud service provider's fabric, like Microsoft Entra ID on Azure. In my experience, starting with the cloud-native IAM solution is best as (1) it reduces complexity, (2) it has deep cloud integration to IaaS and PaaS, (3) it connects well with security tools, and (4) some cloud-native solutions support multi-cloud.

The foundation for controlling access to cloud resources, including data storage lies with the IAM services provided by the cloud provider. I would also recommend following the design principle of least privilege, granting users and services only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks. Other approaches are to enable multi-factor authentication, implement data encryption for data at rest and in-transit. Additionally implement data classification to classify data based on its sensitivity, ensure you comply with data residency regulations, so you know where the data is physically residing. Lastly, it's important to regularly review user access privileges and ensure they are still needed or relevant.

The real question when it comes to cloud data protection and use of encryption is where the decryption takes place. Any solution based on cloud KMS or BYOK means you give the keys to the kingdom to someone else. This means your sensitive data is compromised by definition as it is decrypted on cloud, and can be easily accessed by cloud administrators. Yhey righy way to do it is to implement Client-side Encryption, with fu key segregation. This, coupled with ABAC is the way to properly protect your sensitive data.

IAM: Define user identities, roles, and permissions using IAM services. Role-Based Access Control: Assign permissions to roles rather than individual users, based on their organizational responsibilities. Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users only the permissions needed to perform their tasks, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Resource Policies: Define access control rules at the resource level to specify who can access specific resources and actions they can perform. Encryption and Key Management: Implement encryption mechanisms and securely manage encryption keys to protect data. Monitoring and Auditing: Monitor user activities, access logs, and audit trails to detect and respond to security incidents promptly

Define roles based on job responsibilities and assign permissions accordingly. Regularly review and audit role assignments to ensure compliance and minimize the risk of unauthorized access. Use cloud-native monitoring and logging services to track user activities, resource changes, and security events. Implement PAM solutions to manage and monitor privileged accounts (e.g., administrators, root users).