Key Takeaways

  • Shared Responsibility Model: Amazon protects the physical data center. YOU protect the data you put in it.
  • IAM is God: Identity and Access Management is where 90% of hacks happen. Using the "Root" account is a sin.
  • S3 Leaks: Misconfigured storage buckets are the #1 cause of data breaches in the cloud.

"The Cloud" is just someone else's computer. But that someone else (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) has better physical security than you. Theoretical security is higher, but configuration complexity creates massive holes.

The Shared Responsibility Model

This is the most misunderstood concept in cloud security.
AWS is responsible for: The Security OF the Cloud (Compute, Storage, Database, Networking, Global Infrastructure).
You are responsible for: The Security IN the Cloud (Client-side Data, Encryption, IAM, Firewall config, OS patches).

The "Big Three" Threats

1. Misconfiguration

In 2017, a defense contractor left an AWS S3 bucket "Public." Anyone with the URL could download Top Secret US Army files. There was no "hacking" involved. They just checked a box that said "Allow Public Access."

2. Insecure Interfaces (API Keys)

Developers often hard-code AWS API Keys into their GitHub code. Hackers scrape GitHub looking for these keys. Within seconds of finding one, they spin up 1,000 servers to mine crypto on your credit card.

3. Insider Threats

A disgruntled employee with admin access can delete your entire company with one click. This is why MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) and Least Privilege principles are mandatory.

CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management)

Tools like Wiz or Orca scan your cloud environment constantly. They tell you: "Hey, that database is exposed to the internet," or "This server has a vulnerability." You cannot manage cloud security manually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

is the Cloud safer than On-Premise?
Generally, yes. AWS has thousands of security engineers. You have three. However, the Cloud is more complex, so it is easier to make a mistake.
What is "Serverless" security?
With AWS Lambda, you don't manage servers (OS patching). You only deploy code. Security shifts to the Code layer (AppSec) rather than the Infrastructure layer.

Learn about containers next.
Read Docker & K8s Security