Top 10 Actions to Prevent Cyber Defence Evasion on AWS Cloud

 

Cyber defence evasion refers to a set of tactics and techniques that attackers use to avoid detection and bypass security measures in order to maintain access to a target network or system. The goal of evasion is to prevent security tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), antivirus software, and security information and event management (SIEM) systems from identifying or stopping malicious activities.

Here are ten actions to help prevent cyber defence evasion on AWS Cloud, based on general best practices and insights that could be found across security guidelines and discussions:

1. Implement Strong Identity and Access Management (IAM) Policies:
   • Use the principle of least privilege, ensuring users and services have only the permissions they need. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts, especially administrative ones.
2. Utilize AWS CloudTrail and AWS Config:
   • Enable CloudTrail for all regions to monitor, log, and retain account activity related to actions across your AWS infrastructure. AWS Config can be used to assess, audit, and evaluate the configurations of AWS resources.
3. Set Up Comprehensive Logging and Monitoring:
   • Use services like Amazon GuardDuty for threat detection, Amazon CloudWatch for logging and monitoring resource usage, and AWS Security Hub for a centralized view of security alerts and compliance status.
4. Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments:
   • Employ tools like Amazon Inspector to automatically assess applications for vulnerabilities or deviations from best practices. Regularly scan your environment for vulnerabilities using trusted third-party tools as well.
5. Encryption of Data in Transit and at Rest:
   • Use AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to manage encryption keys. Ensure data is encrypted both when it’s stored (at rest) and when it’s moving between services (in transit).
6. Implement Network Security Controls:
   • Use Security Groups and Network ACLs to control inbound and outbound traffic. AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF) can help protect against common web exploits.
7. Automate Security Processes:
   • Use automation for patch management, security updates, and responses to security events. AWS Systems Manager can help automate management tasks.
8. Implement Defence in Depth:
   • Layer your security components. For example, if an attacker bypasses one security measure, there should be others in place to catch or stop the intrusion.
9. Regularly Update and Patch Systems:
   • Keep all systems, applications, and AWS services updated with the latest security patches. Automate this where possible to prevent evasion through known vulnerabilities.
10. Education and Training:

• Train your team on AWS security best practices. Awareness of phishing, social engineering, and other evasion techniques can prevent accidental security breaches.

Remember, while these actions are designed to bolster security, they must be part of a broader, ongoing security strategy that includes incident response plans, regular review of security policies, and staying updated with the latest security threats and AWS features. Also, always check for the latest AWS security recommendations as AWS services and security threats evolve.