CSA: Implement the Shared Responsibility Model in the Cloud

Source URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/blog/2024/09/27/implementing-the-shared-security-responsibility-model-in-the-cloud
Source: CSA
Title: Implement the Shared Responsibility Model in the Cloud

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Summary: The content discusses the Cloud Security Alliance’s updated Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) v4.0 Implementation Guidelines, emphasizing the Shared Security Responsibility Model in cloud computing. This framework helps define security responsibilities between cloud service providers (CSPs) and cloud service customers (CSCs), making it significant for security professionals in the cloud domain.

Detailed Description: The CSA’s Cloud Trust Summit 2024 panel highlighted crucial updates regarding the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) v4.0 Implementation Guidelines, spearheaded by experts involved in the CCM Working Group. Key points discussed include:

– **Overview of the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)**:
– The CCM is a structured cybersecurity controls framework aiding organizations in risk management related to cloud services.
– It encompasses 17 cloud security domains and 197 detailed control specifications that guide cloud organizations in defining and managing security responsibilities.

– **Shared Security Responsibility Model (SSRM)**:
– There is a focus on how responsibilities for security controls are divided between CSPs and CSCs.
– The panel used the Pizza-as-a-Service analogy to illustrate the varying ownership of security responsibilities depending on the type of cloud service (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
– The exact allocation of security responsibilities can be ambiguous and varies based on specific services and agreements.

– **Implementation Guidance V2**:
– This updated version significantly enhances the previous guidance and will be available in multiple formats, including spreadsheet and PDF.
– The guidance incorporates the SSRM, detailing control ownership and responsibilities, reflecting contributions from various stakeholders across the cloud sector.

– **Guidance Structure**:
– The Implementation Guidelines consist of several tables outlining control specifications, SSRM rationale, and mapping responsibilities.
– Emphasis is placed on cooperative management of security controls between CSPs and CSCs, with clear roles being essential to avoid confusion, especially in multi-vendor environments.

– **Mapping to Other Frameworks**:
– The CCM can be mapped to other standards, such as PCI DSS, which allows CSCs to understand how responsibilities can be managed or inherited from their CSP.
– Over 62 controls indicate partial alignment with PCI DSS, while 90 controls have a one-to-one correspondence, providing valuable guidance for compliance.

– **Leverage Guidelines for Assessments**:
– The Cloud Security Alliance offers the STAR Registry for CSPs to attest compliance with the CCM, enhancing trust and alignment for CSCs seeking to mitigate risks through certified providers.
– Organizations are advised to ensure their CSPs hold the appropriate STAR Level certifications.

– **Conclusion**:
– The guidelines reflect a collaborative effort aiming at realistic expectations of security responsibilities, fostering clarity and accountability between CSPs and CSCs.

This conversation underscores the importance of understanding and implementing the shared security responsibilities in cloud computing, significantly impacting cloud security frameworks and compliance landscapes for professionals in these areas.