What are the key considerations for managing privileged access in Cloud IAM?

1 Define privileged access

Privileged access is the ability to perform actions that can affect the security, availability, or functionality of cloud resources, such as creating or deleting users, roles, or policies, modifying configurations or settings, accessing sensitive data, or executing code. Privileged access can be granted to human users, such as administrators, developers, or auditors, or to non-human entities, such as applications, services, or scripts. Depending on the cloud provider and service, privileged access can be assigned through predefined or custom roles, policies, or permissions.

2 Implement least privilege principle

The least privilege principle is an essential security measure that requires users and entities to only have the minimum access level necessary to perform their tasks. This reduces the attack surface and potential damage of any malicious users or entities. To implement this principle in Cloud IAM, you should identify and classify cloud resources based on their sensitivity and criticality, then define and assign roles and policies that match each user’s or entity’s needs. Additionally, you should review and audit roles and policies regularly, revoking or modifying any unnecessary or outdated privileges.

3 Use multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security measure that requires users to provide more than one piece of evidence to verify their identity before accessing cloud resources. MFA can include factors such as passwords, tokens, codes, biometrics, or devices. MFA adds an extra layer of protection against phishing, credential theft, or brute force attacks. You should enable MFA for all users who have privileged access in Cloud IAM, especially for administrative or root accounts that have the highest level of permissions.

4 Monitor and audit privileged access

Monitoring and auditing privileged access in Cloud IAM is essential to detect and respond to any suspicious or anomalous activities, such as unauthorized access attempts, privilege escalation, or policy violations. You should use the tools and features provided by your cloud provider or third-party solutions to collect and analyze logs, events, and alerts related to privileged access. You should also define and enforce policies and rules that trigger notifications or actions when certain conditions or thresholds are met.

5 Rotate and manage credentials

Credentials are the keys that allow users or entities to access cloud resources, such as passwords, keys, tokens, certificates, or secrets. Unfortunately, credentials can be compromised, leaked, or stolen by attackers, which could expose your cloud resources to unauthorized or malicious access. To prevent this from happening, you should rotate and manage your credentials regularly and securely. Strong and complex passwords and keys should be used that are difficult to guess or crack. Change passwords and keys frequently and avoid reusing them across different accounts or services. Store and transmit your credentials securely using encryption, hashing, or vaulting techniques. Additionally, hardcoding or embedding your credentials in code, configuration files, or environment variables should be avoided. Doing so will help you protect your cloud resources from unauthorized access.