Gap Analysis for Cloud Security

Overview

Gap analysis identifies the delta between current cloud security posture and ISO 27017 requirements, enabling targeted improvements.

Learning Objectives

• Conduct comprehensive gap analysis
• Assess current security controls
• Identify control gaps and weaknesses
• Prioritize remediation efforts
• Develop action plans

Gap Analysis Methodology

Step-by-Step Process

1. Scope Definition
   ├─ Identify cloud services in scope
   ├─ Define organizational boundaries
   ├─ Identify applicable regulations
   └─ Document service models used

2. Current State Assessment
   ├─ Document existing controls
   ├─ Review policies and procedures
   ├─ Assess technical implementations
   └─ Interview stakeholders

3. ISO 27017 Mapping
   ├─ Map controls to requirements
   ├─ Assess implementation status
   ├─ Rate maturity level
   └─ Document evidence

4. Gap Identification
   ├─ Identify missing controls
   ├─ Find partial implementations
   ├─ Assess effectiveness gaps
   └─ Document risks

5. Prioritization
   ├─ Risk-based prioritization
   ├─ Compliance requirements
   ├─ Resource availability
   └─ Quick wins identification

6. Remediation Planning
   ├─ Develop action plans
   ├─ Assign ownership
   ├─ Set timelines
   └─ Allocate budget

Gap Assessment Framework

Control Implementation Levels

Gap Assessment Template

ISO 27017 Control: A.9.2.1 - User Registration and Deregistration

Current State:
├─ Manual user provisioning process exists
├─ Deprovisioning often delayed
├─ No automated workflows
├─ No access review process
└─ Documentation incomplete

Gap Identified:
├─ No automated provisioning
├─ Deprovisioning not timely
├─ Access reviews missing
└─ Insufficient documentation

Implementation Level: 2 - Partially Implemented

Risk: HIGH (Orphan accounts pose security risk)

Remediation Required:
├─ Implement automated provisioning
├─ Integrate with HR system
├─ Automated deprovisioning
├─ Quarterly access reviews
└─ Complete documentation

Priority: HIGH
Estimated Effort: 3 months
Estimated Cost: $50,000
Owner: IAM Team Lead

Domain-Specific Gap Analysis

Access Control Gap Analysis

Data Protection Gap Analysis

Monitoring Gap Analysis

Risk-Based Prioritization

Risk Assessment Matrix

Impact vs. Likelihood Matrix

        │ Low    │ Medium │ High   │
────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
High    │ Medium │ High   │Critical│
        │   3    │   4    │   5    │
────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
Medium  │ Low    │ Medium │ High   │
        │   2    │   3    │   4    │
────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
Low     │ Low    │ Low    │ Medium │
        │   1    │   2    │   3    │
────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┘

Priority Mapping:
├─ Critical (5): Immediate action (< 1 month)
├─ High (4): Urgent (1-3 months)
├─ Medium (3): Important (3-6 months)
├─ Low (2): Scheduled (6-12 months)
└─ Low (1): Opportunistic (> 12 months)

Example Risk Assessment

Gap: No Multi-Factor Authentication

Risk Assessment:
├─ Threat: Account compromise
├─ Vulnerability: Password-only authentication
├─ Asset: Customer data in cloud
├─ Likelihood: High (frequent phishing attacks)
├─ Impact: High (data breach, regulatory fines)
└─ Risk Level: Critical

Business Impact:
├─ Potential data breach
├─ Regulatory fines (GDPR: up to €20M)
├─ Reputational damage
├─ Customer loss
└─ Legal liabilities

Prioritization: CRITICAL - Immediate Action
Timeline: 1 month
Budget: $20,000
ROI: Risk reduction of $5M potential breach cost

Gap Analysis Tools

Assessment Questionnaire

Access Control Assessment (Sample Questions)

1. User Lifecycle Management
   Q: Is user provisioning automated?
   A: [ ] Yes [ ] No [X] Partially
   
   Q: What is average provisioning time?
   A: 3 days
   
   Q: Is deprovisioning automated?
   A: [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Partially
   
   Q: Are access reviews conducted?
   A: [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Partially
   
   Gap Score: 40% (Needs Improvement)

2. Authentication
   Q: Is MFA enforced for all users?
   A: [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Partially
   
   Q: What MFA types are supported?
   A: None currently
   
   Q: Are password policies enforced?
   A: [X] Yes [ ] No [ ] Partially
   
   Gap Score: 33% (Critical Gap)

Gap Analysis Checklist

Phase 1: Preparation

• Assemble assessment team
• Define scope and objectives
• Gather documentation
• Schedule interviews
• Prepare assessment tools

Phase 2: Assessment

• Review policies and procedures
• Interview stakeholders
• Review technical configurations
• Test control effectiveness
• Document findings

Phase 3: Analysis

• Map controls to ISO 27017
• Identify gaps
• Assess risks
• Prioritize remediation
• Estimate resources

Phase 4: Reporting

• Document gaps
• Create remediation plan
• Present to management
• Obtain approval
• Assign ownership

Gap Analysis Report

Executive Summary Template

ISO 27017 Gap Analysis Report

Executive Summary:

Overall Maturity: Level 2.5 (Developing)

Key Findings:
├─ 15% controls not implemented (Critical)
├─ 35% controls partially implemented (Need improvement)
├─ 40% controls implemented (Adequate)
├─ 10% controls managed (Good)
└─ 0% controls optimized (Room for improvement)

Critical Gaps (Immediate Action):
1. Multi-Factor Authentication not implemented
2. Automated backup not configured
3. No formal access review process
4. Encryption not enabled for sensitive data
5. No SIEM/monitoring solution

High Priority Gaps (1-3 months):
1. Automated user provisioning
2. Data classification scheme
3. Encryption key management
4. Comprehensive logging
5. Incident response plan for cloud

Estimated Remediation:
├─ Timeline: 12 months
├─ Budget: $500,000
├─ FTEs Required: 3
└─ External Support: Recommended

Risk Reduction:
├─ Current Risk Score: 65/100 (High)
├─ Target Risk Score: 25/100 (Low)
└─ Risk Reduction: 62%

Detailed Findings by Domain

Domain: Access Control
Maturity: Level 2 (Developing)
Gaps Identified: 8
Critical: 2, High: 4, Medium: 2

Critical Gaps:
├─ A.9.4.2 - Secure Log-on (No MFA)
│  Impact: High | Likelihood: High | Risk: Critical
│  Remediation: Implement MFA for all users
│  Timeline: 1 month | Cost: $20K
│
└─ A.9.2.5 - Access Reviews (Not Conducted)
   Impact: High | Likelihood: Medium | Risk: High
   Remediation: Implement quarterly reviews
   Timeline: 1 month | Cost: $10K

High Priority Gaps:
├─ A.9.2.1 - User Lifecycle (Manual)
├─ A.9.2.3 - Privileged Access (Basic only)
├─ A.9.1.2 - Federation (Not implemented)
└─ A.9.2.4 - Secret Management (Inadequate)

Total Domain Remediation:
├─ Timeline: 6 months
├─ Cost: $150K
└─ Risk Reduction: 70%

Remediation Roadmap

Phased Approach

Phase 1: Critical (Months 1-3)
├─ Implement MFA
├─ Enable encryption at rest
├─ Configure automated backups
├─ Implement access reviews
└─ Enable comprehensive logging

Phase 2: High Priority (Months 4-6)
├─ Automate user provisioning
├─ Implement data classification
├─ Deploy SIEM
├─ Implement customer-managed keys
└─ Document incident response

Phase 3: Medium Priority (Months 7-9)
├─ Implement CASB
├─ Deploy PAM solution
├─ Implement federation/SSO
├─ Advanced monitoring (UEBA)
└─ Configuration management

Phase 4: Optimization (Months 10-12)
├─ Continuous compliance monitoring
├─ Advanced threat detection
├─ Automation enhancement
├─ Process optimization
└─ Training programs

Resource Planning

Budget Allocation

Continuous Gap Assessment

Ongoing Process

Quarterly Gap Re-Assessment

┌────────────────────────────────┐
│  1. Control Effectiveness      │
│  - Test implemented controls   │
│  - Review metrics              │
│  - Identify issues             │
├────────────────────────────────┤
│  2. New Requirements           │
│  - Regulatory changes          │
│  - New cloud services          │
│  - Business changes            │
├────────────────────────────────┤
│  3. Progress Tracking          │
│  - Remediation status          │
│  - Budget vs. actual           │
│  - Timeline adherence          │
├────────────────────────────────┤
│  4. Continuous Improvement     │
│  - Process optimization        │
│  - Automation opportunities    │
│  - Best practice adoption      │
└────────────────────────────────┘

Key Takeaways

1. Gap analysis identifies the delta between current and desired state
2. Risk-based prioritization ensures resources focus on critical gaps
3. Phased remediation is more achievable than big-bang approach
4. Regular re-assessment tracks progress and identifies new gaps
5. Executive support and budget allocation are critical to success

Self-Assessment

1. What are the six steps of gap analysis?
2. How are control implementation levels rated?
3. What is risk-based prioritization?
4. What should be included in a gap analysis report?
5. Why is continuous gap assessment important?