Week 4 Research: What Are Baseline Security Requirements

Week 4 Research: What are baseline security requirements tha

Week 4 Research: What are baseline security requirements that should be applied to the design and implementation of applications, databases, systems, network infrastructure, and information processing when considering cloud computing within an enterprise risk management framework? The paper should include an introduction, a body with fully developed content, and a conclusion. Support answers with course readings, the textbook, and at least two scholarly journal articles. Follow APA7 guidelines and include in-text citations and a reference page.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

Cloud computing introduces shared responsibility, multi-tenancy, and dynamic resource allocation that alter traditional enterprise risk profiles (Mell & Grance, 2011). Within an enterprise risk management (ERM) framework, baseline security requirements must be defined to mitigate confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) risks across applications, databases, systems, network infrastructure, and information processing. This paper outlines essential baseline controls and practices—mapped to ERM concepts such as risk identification, control selection, and continuous monitoring—and cites standards and scholarly research to support recommended requirements (Subashini & Kavitha, 2011; Hashizume et al., 2013).

Establishing Baseline Requirements within ERM

An ERM approach begins with risk assessment and risk appetite definition; baseline security requirements derive from identified enterprise risks and regulatory obligations (Whitman & Mattord, 2020). Baselines should be mandatory minimum controls applied uniformly across cloud-hosted assets and include administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Standards such as NIST SP 800-145 and NIST SP 800-53 provide mapping for controls, while ISO/IEC 27001/27017 guide governance and cloud-specific practices (Mell & Grance, 2011; NIST, 2020; ISO/IEC, 2015).

Identity, Authentication, and Access Control

Identity and access management (IAM) is a cornerstone baseline. Requirements should mandate unique identities, role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based models, least privilege, multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative and remote access, and privileged access management (PAM) for sensitive operations (Cloud Security Alliance [CSA], 2017). Strong IAM reduces insider and external compromise risks and aligns with ERM controls for authorization and segregation of duties (Hashizume et al., 2013).

Data Protection and Encryption

Data-at-rest and data-in-transit encryption are baseline requirements. Enterprises must define encryption standards (approved algorithms, key lengths) and require encryption for backups, databases, object storage, and inter-service communication (NIST SP 800-57; NIST, 2020). Key management must be explicit: enterprise-managed keys versus provider-managed keys should be documented in SLAs, and hardware security modules (HSMs) used where required for highest assurance (ISO/IEC 27018, 2019). Data classification and lifecycle controls (retention, secure deletion) should be enforced to satisfy privacy and compliance risks (Subashini & Kavitha, 2011).

Secure Configuration and Hardening

Baseline secure configurations for cloud resources, virtual machines, containers, databases, and network devices reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities. Requirements should reference hardening benchmarks (e.g., CIS, vendor guidance), require automated configuration management (IaC scanning), and enforce change control processes to prevent drift. Continuous compliance scanning and automated remediation link back to ERM continuous monitoring and control monitoring activities (Zissis & Lekkas, 2012).

Network Security and Segmentation

Network-layer baselines must include logical segmentation of workloads (VPCs, subnets), micro-segmentation where appropriate, perimeter controls (web application firewalls, API gateways), encrypted transit (TLS), and secure management planes (VPNs or dedicated interconnects). Network monitoring (flow logs, IDS/IPS) and least-exposure design reduce lateral movement risk and support rapid detection and containment (Hashizume et al., 2013).

Logging, Monitoring, and Detection

Continuous logging, centralized log aggregation, retention policies, and alerting thresholds are baseline expectations. Logs should capture authentication, privileged actions, configuration changes, and data access events. Integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and defined incident response playbooks supports ERM incident management processes and ensures timely escalation and remediation (CSA, 2017; Whitman & Mattord, 2020).

Vulnerability and Patch Management

Enterprises must require vulnerability scanning, timely patching schedules, and risk-based remediation prioritization. Baseline SLAs for patching critical and high severity issues should be defined. Container and serverless paradigms require additional baselines for image scanning and dependency management to prevent supply-chain risks (Subashini & Kavitha, 2011).

Business Continuity, Backup, and Recovery

Baseline resilience controls include documented backup procedures, tested restoration processes, and geographically separated recovery strategies aligned with recovery time and recovery point objectives (RTO/RPO). ERM ties these to business impact analyses and continuity planning to ensure acceptable residual risk for cloud-hosted services (NIST SP 800-144, 2011).

Application and Database Security

Secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) practices—threat modeling, secure coding, static/dynamic testing, and code review—must be baseline requirements for applications deployed to the cloud. Databases require access controls, encryption, auditing, and protection against injection attacks and misconfiguration. Service-level baselines should require databases to be provisioned with minimal privileges and network isolation (Hashizume et al., 2013; Zissis & Lekkas, 2012).

Vendor Management and Contractual Controls

Baseline contractual requirements include clear delineation of responsibilities (shared responsibility model), data residency, incident notification timelines, audit rights, and compliance attestations (ISO/IEC 27017; ISO/IEC 27018). ERM requires that third-party risk be quantified and that cloud provider controls be validated through certifications and audits (Mell & Grance, 2011).

Governance, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

Governance baselines should mandate policy frameworks, regular risk reviews, and control effectiveness measurements. Continuous improvement through periodic assessments and alignment with standards (NIST, ISO, CSA) ensures baselines evolve with threats and business needs (Whitman & Mattord, 2020).

Conclusion

Baseline security requirements for cloud computing should be comprehensive, enforceable, and integrated into an enterprise's ERM framework. Key baselines include strong IAM, encryption and key management, secure configuration, network segmentation, logging and monitoring, vulnerability management, business continuity, SSDLC practices, and explicit vendor controls. Applying these baselines consistently across applications, databases, systems, networks, and information processing reduces residual risk and provides a measurable foundation for governance and compliance (Subashini & Kavitha, 2011; Hashizume et al., 2013; NIST, 2020).

References

  • Cloud Security Alliance. (2017). Security guidance for critical areas of focus in cloud computing v4.0. Cloud Security Alliance. https://cloudsecurityalliance.org
  • Hashizume, K., Yoshioka, N., & Fernandez, E. B. (2013). An analysis of security issues for cloud computing. Journal of Internet Services and Applications, 4(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1869-0238-4-5
  • ISO/IEC. (2015). ISO/IEC 27017:2015 — Code of practice for information security controls for cloud services. International Organization for Standardization.
  • ISO/IEC. (2019). ISO/IEC 27018:2019 — Protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds. International Organization for Standardization.
  • Mell, P., & Grance, T. (2011). The NIST definition of cloud computing (NIST SP 800-145). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-145
  • NIST. (2011). Guidelines on security and privacy in public cloud computing (NIST SP 800-144). National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  • NIST. (2020). Security and privacy controls for information systems and organizations (NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5). National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  • Subashini, S., & Kavitha, V. (2011). A survey on security issues in service delivery models of cloud computing. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 34(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2010.07.006
  • Whitman, M. E., & Mattord, H. J. (2020). Principles of information security (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Zissis, D., & Lekkas, D. (2012). Addressing cloud computing security issues. Future Generation Computer Systems, 28(3), 583–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2010.12.006

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