Data Protection – Encryption, Key Management, and Data Storage Best Practices

Welcome to the fourth chapter of our in-depth exploration of AWS security. This chapter is dedicated to the critical subject of data protection within AWS, a topic that is indispensable for any organization aiming to secure its assets in the cloud. We will kick off this chapter by delving into AWS encryption mechanisms, focusing on how AWS approaches data-at-rest and data-in-transit encryption. This first part will pave the way for a comprehensive understanding of the types of encryption supported by AWS. We will discuss envelope encryption, symmetric versus asymmetric encryption, and the options of using bring-your-own or AWS-managed keys. As we move forward, the spotlight will turn to the management of cryptographic keys. We will explore AWS Key Management Service (KMS) in detail, covering the types of keys, their life cycles, and best practices for key policies and access management. We will also...

AWS encryption mechanisms and services

In an era marked by escalating cyber threats, encryption emerges as a robust shield in the arsenal of cloud security. It is more than just the science of code-making; it is a critical layer in a multi-tiered defense strategy that includes other controls such as access control and network security. As data volumes swell in the cloud, the imperative for securing this data through encryption and other means has never been more significant. AWS offers a multitude of encryption mechanisms that not only secure your data but also help you meet compliance mandates. This section delves into the multifaceted encryption services provided by AWS, shedding light on their functionalities and best use cases.

AWS approach to encryption

The AWS approach to encryption is holistic, ensuring data protection both when it is at rest and in transit, thanks to a comprehensive suite of encryption tools and features. This approach allows organizations to enforce...

Managing cryptographic keys

While encryption is the process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access, the keys used in this process are the linchpin. Without secure and efficient key management, even the most robust encryption can be rendered ineffective, giving a false sense of security.

Key management services in AWS

AWS offers a robust set of services and features for key management that go beyond mere storage and retrieval. These services are designed to integrate seamlessly with AWS encryption offerings, providing a holistic security solution that aligns with the most stringent compliance requirements. AWS global infrastructure and data centers across multiple regions allow organizations to easily address data residency requirements when selecting AWS for key management.

AWS KMS is often the first stop for organizations looking to manage cryptographic keys. However, AWS also offers AWS CloudHSM for those who require a dedicated HSM. Additionally,...

Data protection in key AWS services

In this section, we will delve into the various mechanisms and strategies for data protection across key AWS services, showing how encryption and key management are just pieces of a larger puzzle that also includes backups and access control.

S3 buckets

While S3’s ease of use and scalability make it popular, securing data stored in buckets is essential. Let’s dive into data protection features in S3, focusing on versioning, encryption, and access control.

Versioning and MFA Delete

Versioning is an often-underestimated feature that can serve as a first line of defense against both accidental deletions and malicious activities. When versioning is enabled on an S3 bucket, any overwrite or delete operation on an object doesn’t remove the previous versions. This allows for easy recovery and provides an additional layer of security.

For those who are already quite familiar with S3 versioning, you might be aware that...

Summary

In this chapter, we embarked on a comprehensive journey into the realm of data protection within AWS. This chapter commenced with an exploration of AWS encryption mechanisms, shedding light on the platform’s approach to safeguarding data both at rest and in transit. The narrative then transitioned to the pivotal topic of managing cryptographic keys. Here, we gained insights into AWS KMS, with a deep dive into KMS, including the types of keys it manages, their life cycles, policies, and integration with CloudHSM. As we ventured further, the focus shifted to data protection across key AWS services. From S3 buckets to EBS volumes, EFS filesystems, RDS databases, and DynamoDB tables, we learned about the best practices for backup, encryption, access control, and more.

As we transition to the next chapter, we will expand our focus to the vast array of AWS security services, providing an overview of the tools and technologies available to build a robust, enterprise-grade...

Questions

Answer the following questions to test your knowledge of this chapter:

1. What is the primary purpose of the AWS Encryption SDK, and how does it benefit developers?
2. What is the significance of key rotation in KMS, and how does it work?
3. How does RDS ensure data encryption?
4. Differentiate between SSE and CSE in S3. What are the primary types of each?

Answers

Here are the answers to this chapter’s questions:

1. The AWS Encryption SDK is a client-side library that’s designed to make encryption more accessible and manageable for developers. It enhances data protection, both at rest and in transit, and can be used across various AWS services and even outside the AWS environment. It offers features such as data key caching, a suite of robust encryption algorithms, and message protection, making it developer-friendly and cost-efficient.
2. Key rotation is crucial for maintaining robust cryptography. KMS supports automatic key rotation for CMKs, where new key material is generated every year. You also have the option to manually rotate keys. When a key is rotated, the key material changes, but the key ID remains the same.
3. RDS supports volume encryption using keys managed through KMS. It also allows for field-level encryption either through application-level logic or native TDE features provided by certain database...

Further reading

To learn more about the topics that were covered in this chapter, take a look at the following resources:

• Demystifying KMS keys operations, bring your own key (BYOK), custom key store, and ciphertext portability, by Arthur Mnev (2021): https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/security/demystifying-kms-keys-operations-bring-your-own-key-byok-custom-key-store-and-ciphertext-portability/
• Top 10 security best practices for securing backups in AWS, by Ibukun Oyewumi (2022): https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/security/top-10-security-best-practices-for-securing-backups-in-aws/
• AWS KMS Encryption: Server-Side Encryption for Data in AWS, by NetApp (2022): https://bluexp.netapp.com/blog/aws-cvo-blg-aws-kms-encryption-server-side-encryption-for-data-in-aws
• Encryption fundamentals with AWS KMS and CloudHSM, by Graham Thompson (2021): https://intrinsecsecurity.com/blog/cloud-security/encryption-fundamentals-with-aws-kms-and-cloudhsm/
• NIST FIPS 140-2 Non-Proprietary Security...