What you must know about CIS Benchmarks for Google Cloud Platform

Introduction:

In the dynamic realm of cybersecurity, safeguarding your cloud infrastructure is paramount. Google Cloud Platform (GCP), renowned for its innovative services, is a preferred platform for many organizations. To bolster GCP security configurations, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) offers comprehensive benchmarks. This article delves into key CIS Benchmarks for GCP across various domains.

Identity and Access Management (IAM):

IAM stands as a fundamental pillar for GCP security. Proper IAM settings are critical to safeguard sensitive data and systems. Key recommendations include:

• Utilize Corporate Login Credentials.
• Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for non-service accounts.
• Refrain from granting admin privileges to Service Accounts.
• Enforce Security Key Enforcement for All Admin accounts.
• Employ GCP-managed Service Account Keys.
• Implement automated role assignments at the project level.
• Regularly rotate Service Account keys.

Logging and Monitoring:

Logging and monitoring are pivotal for timely threat detection and compliance. Well-configured logging ensures an effective response to potential threats. Essential settings for logging and monitoring include:

• Activate Log Metric Filters and Alerts.
• Set up alerts for project ownership and audit configuration changes.
• Configure alerts for custom role changes.
• Enable cloud DNS logging and cloud asset inventory.
• Implement VPC Flow Logs for all subnets.
• Ensure SSL proxy load balancers utilize robust cipher suites.

Networking:

Proper networking settings are crucial to secure networked services. Recommendations include:

• Eliminate the default network and legacy networks.
• Enable DNSSEC for Cloud DNS.
• Utilize secure cryptographic technologies.
• Restrict SSH and RDP access from the internet.
• Enable VPC Flow Logs for all subnets.
• Leverage Identity Aware Proxy (IAP) for controlled traffic.

Virtual Machines (VMs):

VMs are a significant use case in GCP, and securing them is paramount. Key settings include:

• Avoid using the default service account for instances.
• Enable "Block Project-Wide SSH Keys" for VM instances.
• Activate Oslogin at the project level.
• Encrypt VM disks with customer-supplied encryption keys.
• Enable shielded VM and refrain from using public IP addresses.
• Enforce HTTPS connections for App Engine applications.
• Enable Confidential Computing for Compute instances.

Storage:

Protecting access to cloud storage buckets, where sensitive data is often stored, is crucial. Key storage-related configurations include:

• Prevent cloud storage buckets from being publicly accessible.
• Enable Uniform Bucket-Level Access for cloud storage buckets.

Conclusion:

Regularly reviewing and implementing these CIS Benchmarks will significantly enhance the security of your GCP environment. Cybersecurity is an ongoing effort, and staying informed about the latest best practices is essential. Request a customized PDF from the CIS website to ensure you're not overlooking any benchmarks. Strengthen your GCP security posture and navigate the evolving threat landscape with confidence.