Reduce permissions continuously

Managing permissions effectively is vital to maintain a secure environment in AWS. It ensures that both human and machine identities have the necessary access to resources while minimizing potential attack vectors. Continuous reduction of permissions promotes a least privilege access model, helping organizations protect sensitive data and resources.

Best Practices

Implement Least Privilege Access

• Identify the minimum permissions required for each role within your organization, ensuring that users and machines only have access to what they absolutely need for their functions. This minimization reduces potential attack vectors. Regularly review and adjust these permissions to align with changing job functions or project requirements.

Establish Regular Permission Reviews

• Set up a schedule for periodic reviews of user and machine permissions. This can be quarterly or biannually, depending on the scale of your operations. Utilize automated tools to flag unused or excessive permissions, enabling a proactive approach to maintaining least privilege.

Utilize Automation for Identity Management

• Use IAM (Identity and Access Management) policies and tools like AWS CloudTrail or AWS Config to track permissions and identities. Automate the removal of unused policies and entities where possible. Automating these processes helps streamline permission management and ensures compliance.

Create a Clear Access Request Process

• Develop a standardized access request process that includes justification for permissions needed. This ensures that any requested permissions are necessary and tracked. Review this process regularly for effectiveness and to incorporate any lessons learned.

Educate Your Teams on Security Practices

• Regularly train staff on the importance of managing permissions and the risks associated with excessive access rights. Encourage a culture where least privilege access is a shared responsibility, promoting awareness on the potential threats that can arise from improper access management.

Questions to ask your team

• What process do you have in place for regularly reviewing permissions assigned to both people and machines?
• How do you monitor for unused identities and permissions within your AWS resources?
• Can you describe the steps taken when an employee leaves the organization or changes roles regarding their permissions?
• What tools do you use to automate the removal of unneeded permissions?
• How frequently do you conduct access reviews to ensure compliance with the least privilege principle?
• Are there documented guidelines for determining the appropriate level of access for different roles within your organization?

Who should be doing this?

Security Administrator

• Establish and enforce access control policies based on the principle of least privilege.
• Regularly review and audit user and machine permissions.
• Remove unneeded permissions promptly when access is no longer required.
• Implement automated tools to monitor for unused identities and permissions.
• Coordinate with teams to document and refine access requirements.
• Ensure compliance with security standards and regulations.

Identity and Access Management (IAM) Specialist

• Manage IAM roles, policies, and permissions effectively.
• Assist in configuring IAM services to align with security best practices.
• Develop and maintain documentation on permission changes and access reviews.
• Provide training to staff on managing access and understanding security permissions.
• Analyze and report on access trends and potential security risks.

DevOps Engineer

• Implement access requirements from development and operations teams.
• Collaborate with the Security Administrator to ensure infrastructure permissions are optimal.
• Utilize infrastructure as code tools to automate permission management.
• Participate in permission review processes to maintain security and compliance.
• Monitor application performance related to permissions and access controls.

Compliance Officer

• Ensure that permission management practices meet legal and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct periodic reviews and audits of access control mechanisms.
• Report on compliance status and recommend improvements in security policies.
• Work with various teams to raise awareness about the importance of permission management.

What evidence shows this is happening in your organization?

• Access Control Policy Template: A template that outlines the principles and framework for managing access control within the organization, including the process for reviewing and reducing permissions.
• Least Privilege Access Checklist: A checklist that guides teams through the process of ensuring that user and machine permissions adhere to least privilege principles, covering key steps for reviewing and removing unnecessary permissions.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM) Review Report: A detailed report of the regular IAM review process, highlighting which permissions have been granted, which have been revoked, and suggestions for further reducing access.
• IAM Monitoring Dashboard: A dashboard that displays real-time metrics on permissions usage, including unused identities and permissions, helping teams identify and remove unnecessary access.
• Access Permissions Review Playbook: A playbook that outlines the step-by-step process for conducting access permissions reviews, including guidelines for establishing review cycles, identifying unneeded permissions, and documenting changes.

Cloud Services

AWS

• AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM): Manage user access and permissions securely. Allows you to create and manage AWS users and groups, and use permissions to allow and deny their access to AWS resources.
• AWS Organizations: Helps automate the management of permissions across multiple AWS accounts, making it easier to adhere to the principle of least privilege by managing policies centrally.
• AWS Config: Enables you to assess, audit, and evaluate the configurations of your AWS resources. You can use it to monitor permissions over time and ensure they align with least privilege access.
• AWS Access Analyzer: Helps identify resources in your organization and accounts that are shared with external principals. It provides insights into permissions that could be overly broad.

Azure

• Azure Active Directory (AAD): Enables you to manage user identities and access rights in a cloud environment, supporting least privilege permission strategies.
• Azure Policy: Allows you to define policies and enforce permission governance across Azure resources, helping maintain security and compliance.
• Azure Privileged Identity Management: Helps manage, control, and monitor access within Azure AD, ensuring that users have just-in-time access to resources and least privilege permissions.

Google Cloud Platform

• Google Cloud Identity: Provides identity management for users and groups, enabling organizations to enforce least privilege access across Google Cloud resources.
• Google Cloud IAM: Enables you to manage access control by defining who (identity) has what access (roles) to which resources, supporting continuous permission assessment.
• Google Cloud Audit Logs: Keeps track of the activities performed on your Google Cloud resources, helping you analyze permissions and access over time.

Question: How do you manage permissions for people and machines?
Pillar: Security (Code: SEC)