Policy Development

Overview

Effective policies provide the foundation for ISO 27017 implementation, defining security requirements and expectations for cloud services.

Learning Objectives

• Develop cloud security policies
• Align policies with ISO 27017
• Create supporting procedures
• Communicate policies effectively
• Maintain and update policies

ISO 27017 Policy Requirements

A.5.1.1 - Policies for Information Security

Policy Requirements:

• Documented information security policy
• Management approval
• Published and communicated
• Reviewed at planned intervals
• Updated as appropriate

Cloud-Specific Policy Needs

Cloud Security Policy Framework

┌────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Information Security Policy       │
│  (High-level, board-approved)      │
└──────────┬─────────────────────────┘
           │
    ┌──────┴──────────┬──────────────┬────────────┐
    │                 │              │            │
┌───▼────────┐ ┌─────▼──────┐ ┌────▼──────┐ ┌──▼────────┐
│ Cloud      │ │ Data       │ │ Access    │ │ Incident  │
│ Usage      │ │ Protection │ │ Control   │ │ Response  │
│ Policy     │ │ Policy     │ │ Policy    │ │ Policy    │
└───┬────────┘ └─────┬──────┘ └────┬──────┘ └──┬────────┘
    │                │              │            │
┌───▼────────────────▼──────────────▼────────────▼───────┐
│  Procedures and Work Instructions                      │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Cloud Usage Policy

Template Structure

Cloud Usage Policy

1. Purpose
   Define acceptable use of cloud services

2. Scope
   All employees, contractors, cloud services

3. Policy Statements
   
   3.1 Approved Services
   ├─ Only pre-approved cloud services may be used
   ├─ Shadow IT is prohibited
   ├─ Approval process defined
   └─ Approved service catalog maintained

   3.2 Data Protection
   ├─ Data classification must be considered
   ├─ Restricted data requires encryption
   ├─ Data residency requirements must be met
   └─ Data sovereignty laws must be followed

   3.3 Access Control
   ├─ MFA required for all cloud access
   ├─ Least privilege access
   ├─ Quarterly access reviews
   └─ Shared credentials prohibited

   3.4 Security Configuration
   ├─ Security baselines must be applied
   ├─ Default passwords must be changed
   ├─ Unnecessary services disabled
   └─ Regular security scans required

4. Roles and Responsibilities
   ├─ Cloud Administrator: Service management
   ├─ Data Owner: Data classification
   ├─ Users: Compliance with policy
   └─ Security Team: Monitoring and enforcement

5. Compliance
   ├─ Violations investigated
   ├─ Disciplinary action may result
   └─ Regular audits conducted

6. Review
   ├─ Annual review required
   ├─ Updated as needed
   └─ Version control maintained

Approved by: [CIO/CISO]
Date: [Date]
Next Review: [Date + 1 year]
Version: 1.0

Data Protection Policy for Cloud

Key Components

Data Protection Policy

1. Data Classification
   ├─ Public: No restrictions
   ├─ Internal: Employee access only
   ├─ Confidential: Authorized personnel
   └─ Restricted: Strict need-to-know

2. Data Handling by Classification
   
   Restricted Data:
   ├─ Storage: Encrypted (AES-256, customer-managed keys)
   ├─ Transit: TLS 1.3
   ├─ Access: MFA required, logged
   ├─ Sharing: Prohibited externally
   ├─ Retention: Per regulatory requirement
   └─ Deletion: Secure deletion, verified

   Confidential Data:
   ├─ Storage: Encrypted (AES-256)
   ├─ Transit: TLS 1.2+
   ├─ Access: Authorized users, logged
   ├─ Sharing: Approved channels only
   ├─ Retention: 7 years
   └─ Deletion: Secure deletion

3. Cloud-Specific Requirements
   ├─ Data residency: EU data in EU regions
   ├─ Encryption: Mandatory for confidential+
   ├─ Backup: Encrypted, tested quarterly
   ├─ Access logging: Enabled for all data access
   └─ DLP: Enabled for restricted data

4. Data Subject Rights (GDPR)
   ├─ Right to access
   ├─ Right to rectification
   ├─ Right to erasure
   ├─ Right to data portability
   └─ Procedures documented

Access Control Policy

Cloud Access Requirements

Access Control Policy for Cloud Services

1. Authentication
   
   1.1 Multi-Factor Authentication
   ├─ Required for all cloud access
   ├─ Hardware tokens for privileged access
   ├─ TOTP acceptable for standard users
   └─ SMS not acceptable

   1.2 Password Requirements
   ├─ Minimum 12 characters
   ├─ Complexity requirements
   ├─ No password reuse (last 24)
   ├─ 90-day expiration
   └─ Password manager recommended

2. Authorization
   
   2.1 Least Privilege
   ├─ Minimum access required
   ├─ Time-limited where possible
   ├─ Just-in-Time for privileged access
   └─ Regular right-sizing

   2.2 Role-Based Access Control
   ├─ Roles defined by job function
   ├─ Pre-approved role templates
   ├─ Manager approval required
   └─ Security approval for privileged roles

3. User Lifecycle
   
   3.1 Provisioning
   ├─ Automated via HR system
   ├─ Manager approval
   ├─ Security training before access
   └─ Maximum 24 hours

   3.2 Changes
   ├─ Manager approval
   ├─ Security review for escalation
   ├─ Logged and audited
   └─ Maximum 48 hours

   3.3 Deprovisioning
   ├─ Automated on termination
   ├─ Immediate for termination
   ├─ 24 hours for resignation
   └─ Data ownership transferred

4. Access Reviews
   ├─ Quarterly for all users
   ├─ Monthly for privileged access
   ├─ Manager certification
   └─ Auto-revoke uncertified access

5. Federation
   ├─ SSO via corporate identity provider
   ├─ Automated provisioning (SCIM)
   ├─ Attribute-based access control
   └─ Session timeout: 8 hours

Encryption Policy

Cryptographic Requirements

Encryption Policy

1. Encryption Requirements

   1.1 Data at Rest
   ├─ Algorithm: AES-256
   ├─ Key Management: Customer-managed (confidential+)
   ├─ Provider-managed: Acceptable for internal
   └─ No unencrypted storage of sensitive data

   1.2 Data in Transit
   ├─ Protocol: TLS 1.2 minimum (1.3 preferred)
   ├─ Cipher Suites: Strong ciphers only
   ├─ Certificate Management: Automated renewal
   └─ HSTS enforced for web applications

   1.3 Client-Side Encryption
   ├─ Required for restricted data
   ├─ Customer controls all keys
   ├─ Encrypt before cloud upload
   └─ Decryption only in secure environment

2. Key Management

   2.1 Key Generation
   ├─ Cryptographically secure RNG
   ├─ Minimum 256-bit keys
   ├─ HSM-generated for sensitive keys
   └─ Documented procedure

   2.2 Key Storage
   ├─ Cloud KMS for cloud-stored data
   ├─ Hardware HSM for highest sensitivity
   ├─ On-premises HSM for HYOK
   └─ Never in application code

   2.3 Key Rotation
   ├─ Automatic: 365 days
   ├─ Sensitive: 90 days
   ├─ Upon compromise: Immediate
   └─ Maintain old keys for decryption

   2.4 Key Access
   ├─ Least privilege
   ├─ MFA required
   ├─ All access logged
   └─ Quarterly access reviews

3. Approved Algorithms
   ├─ Symmetric: AES-256
   ├─ Asymmetric: RSA 2048+, ECDSA P-256+
   ├─ Hashing: SHA-256+
   └─ Prohibited: DES, 3DES, MD5, SHA-1

Incident Response Policy

Cloud Incident Management

Incident Response Policy for Cloud

1. Incident Classification
   ├─ P1 - Critical: Data breach, service down
   ├─ P2 - High: Major degradation, security compromise
   ├─ P3 - Medium: Minor impact, potential threat
   └─ P4 - Low: Informational, no impact

2. Response Times
   ├─ P1: 15 minutes
   ├─ P2: 1 hour
   ├─ P3: 4 hours
   └─ P4: 24 hours

3. Notification Requirements
   
   3.1 Internal Notification
   ├─ P1: Immediate (CISO, CIO, CEO)
   ├─ P2: Within 1 hour (CISO, CIO)
   ├─ P3: Within 4 hours (Security Manager)
   └─ P4: Daily digest

   3.2 External Notification
   ├─ Cloud Provider: Per SLA
   ├─ Customers: If customer data affected
   ├─ Regulators: Per legal requirements
   └─ Public: If required by law

4. Response Procedures
   ├─ Detection and reporting
   ├─ Initial assessment
   ├─ Containment
   ├─ Eradication
   ├─ Recovery
   └─ Post-incident review

5. Cloud Provider Coordination
   ├─ Defined communication channels
   ├─ Escalation procedures
   ├─ Evidence collection process
   ├─ Joint investigation approach
   └─ Notification timelines

Supporting Procedures

Procedure Development

Procedure: Cloud Service Provisioning

Purpose: Ensure secure and compliant cloud service setup

Scope: All new cloud service implementations

Responsibilities:
├─ Requestor: Business justification
├─ Cloud Admin: Technical implementation
├─ Security: Security review
└─ Compliance: Regulatory review

Procedure Steps:

1. Request Submission
   ├─ Complete service request form
   ├─ Business justification
   ├─ Data classification
   ├─ Compliance requirements
   └─ Submit for approval

2. Security Review
   ├─ Provider evaluation
   ├─ Security questionnaire
   ├─ Certification review
   ├─ Risk assessment
   └─ Security approval or rejection

3. Compliance Review
   ├─ Regulatory requirements check
   ├─ Data residency verification
   ├─ Contract review
   └─ Compliance approval

4. Procurement
   ├─ Vendor selection
   ├─ Contract negotiation
   ├─ SLA definition
   └─ Purchase order

5. Implementation
   ├─ Initial setup
   ├─ Security configuration
   ├─ Integration (SSO, etc.)
   ├─ Security testing
   └─ Production approval

6. Documentation
   ├─ Service catalog update
   ├─ Configuration documentation
   ├─ User guides
   └─ Runbooks

Timeline: 30-60 days
Review: Quarterly

Policy Communication

Communication Strategy

Policy Rollout Plan

1. Stakeholder Engagement
   ├─ Executive briefing
   ├─ Manager training
   ├─ User awareness
   └─ Feedback collection

2. Communication Channels
   ├─ Policy portal (intranet)
   ├─ Email announcements
   ├─ Training sessions
   ├─ Lunch & learns
   └─ Posters/infographics

3. Training Program
   ├─ Role-based training
   ├─ Online modules
   ├─ Hands-on workshops
   ├─ Certification (for critical roles)
   └─ Regular refreshers

4. Acknowledgment
   ├─ Annual policy acknowledgment
   ├─ New hire onboarding
   ├─ Change acknowledgment
   └─ Tracked and reported

Policy Maintenance

Review and Update Process

Annual Policy Review

Q1: Preparation
├─ Gather feedback
├─ Review incidents
├─ Regulatory changes
└─ Technology changes

Q2: Review and Update
├─ Working group review
├─ Draft updates
├─ Stakeholder review
└─ Incorporate feedback

Q3: Approval
├─ Security committee
├─ Executive approval
├─ Board approval (if required)
└─ Version control

Q4: Communication
├─ Change summary
├─ Training updates
├─ Policy publication
└─ Acknowledgment campaign

Key Takeaways

1. Policies provide foundation for ISO 27017 implementation
2. Cloud-specific policies address unique requirements
3. Procedures translate policies into actions
4. Communication ensures policy awareness
5. Regular review keeps policies current

Self-Assessment

1. What are the key components of a cloud usage policy?
2. How should data be protected by classification?
3. What are MFA requirements?
4. What incident response notification timelines are appropriate?
5. How often should policies be reviewed?