11Sep, 2023
Author Image Pat Saucier
Formal AWS certification program – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Formal AWS certification program

AWS certifications encompass a wide range of knowledge areas within AWS. They can be very interesting options for professionals seeking to validate and enhance their expertise. Opinions on the value of certifications in general vary widely and are often debated. I find certifications to be instrumental in setting goals for self-study and invaluable as a freelance AWS security consultant and instructor for demonstrating expertise and commitment to professional development.

Overview of the AWS certification program

AWS offers a series of certifications that can be instrumental for individuals aiming to develop and demonstrate their AWS knowledge. A considerable portion of each certification’s curriculum is devoted to security-related topics, accounting for 15% to 30% of the exam content, as outlined in the guide documentation for each specific exam. The exception to this range is the AWS Certified Security—Specialty exam, which is wholly centered on security topics.

For readers of this book embarking on their AWS learning path, the following certifications are particularly pertinent:

  • AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA): This certification validates expertise in deploying, managing, and operating workloads. It also covers operational security to ensure VPCs and systems are secure and compliant.
  • AWS Certified Developer – Associate (DVA): Ideal for developers, this certification covers security concepts relevant to developing and maintaining secure applications on AWS throughout the CI/CD pipeline.
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA): This certification focuses on designing secure and robust distributed systems using multiple AWS services. It covers aspects of network security, encryption, and access control, among others.
  • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (DOP): Tailored to professionals involved in DevOps roles, this certification dives deeper into automation and security protocols for continuous delivery and the secure deployment of applications and infrastructures on AWS.
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP): For advanced architectural skills, this certification includes designing scalable and secure solutions across diverse AWS projects and services.
  • AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS): Specifically tailored for security experts, this certification is crucial for those looking to prove their knowledge of AWS security services and best practices. It is highly relevant to you as it offers deep insights into AWS-specific security considerations.
  • AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (ANS): This certificate demonstrates mastery in architecting and operating highly available, secure network solutions on AWS. It’s ideal for network engineers and security specialists responsible for robust network infrastructure.

With an understanding of the key AWS certifications to target, let’s proceed to examine the wealth of resources and study strategies to ensure your success in these exams.

12Jul, 2023
Author Image Pat Saucier
Resources to prepare for your next exam – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Resources to prepare for your next exam

Preparing for an AWS certification exam demands a methodical study approach and the right resources:

  • Official exam page: Start with the official AWS certification web page, where you can find exam guides detailing the content areas covered. Ensure any training material you use is aligned with the correct exam number and version.
  • Online video courses: Platforms such as Udemy and Coursera offer video courses by highly recognized authors. These courses are very cost-effective and can be valuable for those who like learning from videos. Search for the most reviewed and recently updated courses, avoiding content older than 2 years.
  • Books: Investing in a well-reviewed book tailored to the targeted AWS certification exam can provide in-depth knowledge to study at your own pace. Note that this book itself, while not an exam guide, can complement your study plan with practical AWS security knowledge, enriching your preparation for any exam.
  • AWS Skill Builder: This platform is excellent for an official overview and exam preparation questions, although it may not be free.
  • Cloud Academy: This platform offers structured learning paths for AWS certifications, including hands-on labs and quizzes.
  • Tutorial Dojo: This platform provides a mix of free and paid content, including practice exams and cheat sheets that are highly regarded for exam preparation.
  • AWS exam preparation webinars: AWS regularly hosts webinars focusing on exam preparation, offering insights into the exam structure and tips for success.
  • Instructor-led classroom training: Though often the priciest option, they offer intensive, focused training sessions that can significantly boost your understanding and readiness for the exam. Perform due diligence and prefer official training delivered by AWS-accredited instructors in case of doubt.
  • Mentoring and peering: Connecting with peers or finding a mentor who has successfully navigated AWS certifications can provide personalized advice and encouragement.

Having explored the key resources that are available for your exam preparation, let’s move on to practical advice and strategies that can enhance your study routine and performance.

16May, 2023
Author Image Pat Saucier
Personal advice from an experienced exam taker – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Personal advice from an experienced exam taker

Having taken more than 20 exams in my career and only failing two on the first attempt, I recommend the following strategies for effective exam preparation:

  • Diversify learning resources: Use at least two different types of learning resources to cover all bases and limit the risk of bias from specific authors – for example, a Udemy video course and a book, or a video course and a Cloud Academy learning path.
  • Develop a detailed learning plan: Structure your study time and topics to cover comprehensively. Set achievable goals, regularly assess your progress, and adjust your plan as necessary to stay on track.
  • Schedule your exam date and time: Booking your exam in advance gives you a clear deadline to work toward. Schedule your exam for when you are most alert and focused. For many like myself, the morning is ideal. Additionally, after booking your exam, consider giving a call or sending an email to the exam center. Some centers are infrequently used, and issues such as no staff presence on the exam day can occur, leading to lengthy rescheduling frustrations.
  • Practice with exam quizzes: Engage in extensive quiz practice, focusing on retaking failed questions and undertaking full new quizzes to simulate the exam experience and improve time management. Aim to consistently score above 80% on fresh quizzes to gauge your readiness for the real exam day.
  • Manage time: Always aim to answer all questions as guessing yields a better success rate than leaving answers blank. Calculate the time per question and set easy-to-remember milestones. As an example, the CSC exam requires 65 questions to be answered within 170 minutes, which means you should allocate 2.5 minutes and 37 seconds for each question. Aim to answer 12 questions after the first 30 minutes, 24 questions by the 60-minute mark, and so on.
  • Prefer in-person exams for lengthy tests: While online proctoring allows for taking an exam from home, it can be overly strict, risking disqualification for minor infractions. My preference is to opt for test centers to avoid these issues.

Moving on from the AWS certification, let’s delve into continuous professional development, emphasizing the power of participating in events and networks.

15Mar, 2023
Author Image Pat Saucier
Engaging in continuous professional development – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Engaging in continuous professional development

Continuous professional development is essential for staying current in the rapidly evolving field of cloud computing and AWS security. Engaging in such activities ensures that professionals not only maintain their skills and knowledge but also stay ahead of new AWS technologies and security best practices. Let’s go through strategies for engaging in continuous learning and professional growth.

Participating in webinars

AWS and other reputable platforms frequently host webinars covering a broad spectrum of topics, from unveiling new services to comprehensive explorations of specific security practices. These sessions, which are often led by field experts, present a prime opportunity to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in AWS security. The majority of these webinars are offered free of charge, providing an accessible avenue for broadening your knowledge. Engaging in these webinars not only enhances your expertise but also facilitates interaction with professionals and allows for direct questioning. Here’s how to derive maximum benefit from these learning opportunities:

  • Select relevant topics: Focus on webinars and courses that align with your career goals and areas where you seek improvement or deeper knowledge.
  • Engage with experts: Most webinars offer Q&A sessions. Take advantage of these opportunities to engage directly with AWS experts and gain insights that are not readily available in written content. It is also common to connect with speakers on LinkedIn post-event. Seize the opportunity to expand your professional network and deepen your understanding.
  • Dedicate time for learning: Schedule regular slots in your weekly or monthly schedule for attending webinars or progressing through online courses, treating them as essential components of your workweek.
  • Apply learned concepts: After attending a webinar, look for AWS workshops or consult the AWS Security Blog for posts that offer hands-on applications related to the topics discussed. This approach helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation.
  • Become a speaker: Consider sharing your expertise by becoming a webinar speaker. This not only enhances your visibility within the professional community as a thought leader in AWS security but also deepens your understanding of the subject matter as you prepare your presentation.

The following platforms are known to regularly host webinars related to AWS security:

  • AWS events and webinars: This page lists all upcoming AWS webinars and events, ensuring access to the latest information directly from the source.
  • Securzy: A platform dedicated to security professionals, it offers deep-dive sessions into the latest AWS security technologies and challenges. While most webinars are free, replays may require a subscription.
  • BrightTALK and TechTarget: Both platforms offer a wide range of webinars across various topics, including cloud security and AWS-specific sessions. Note that content is often sponsored by vendors, so a degree of marketing material can be expected, yet they remain valuable for educational content.
  • Cloud Academy: While primarily known for its comprehensive courses, Cloud Academy also hosts webinars that delve into the latest trends and practices in AWS and cloud security.
  • Cloud Security Alliance (CSA): CSA provides webinars focusing on wider cloud security issues, which is ideal for those looking to understand the broader security landscape.

Following webinars, let’s dive into the opportunities offered by AWS conferences.

12Jan, 2023
Author Image Pat Saucier
Attending AWS conferences – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Attending AWS conferences

AWS conferences provide opportunities for deep immersion in the AWS community. Here’s how to make the most of these events:

  • Virtual or in-person attendance: Many AWS conferences are accessible both virtually and in-person, catering to a global audience. Virtual attendance can be a convenient option for those unable to travel, while in-person attendance offers a more immersive experience and direct networking opportunities.
  • Plan your agenda: With numerous sessions available in parallel and limited seats available, review the agenda in advance and prioritize sessions that are most relevant to your interests and professional needs.
  • Network actively: Use these gatherings to connect with peers, AWS professionals, and industry leaders. Networking can open doors to new opportunities, insights, and collaborative ventures.
  • Participate in workshops and breakout sessions: These interactive sessions provide valuable hands-on experience and facilitate deeper discussions on security features and challenges.
  • Stay updated on announcements: AWS often introduces new services, features, and updates during these events. Keeping up with these announcements can give you a competitive edge.
  • Replay access: Many conferences offer replay access to sessions post-event. This feature is useful for revisiting content or catching up on sessions you may have missed, ensuring you don’t miss out on any learning opportunities.

Here is an overview of key relevant AWS conferences:

  • AWS summits: These are free events that are hosted around the world, designed to bring the cloud computing community together to connect, collaborate, and learn about AWS. Attending these summits provides insights into new AWS features, networking opportunities with AWS experts and peers from your country, as well as hands-on workshops that can enhance your practical skills.
  • AWS re:Invent: This is the largest annual AWS cloud conference, offering multiple sessions on cloud strategies, security, and service deep dives. Besides attending AWS re:Invent, look for re:Cap sessions that summarize key takeaways, something that’s perfect for those unable to attend every session of interest.
  • AWS re:Inforce: This is another key event for security professionals and AWS enthusiasts focusing specifically on security. It is ideal for gaining advanced knowledge, discovering new tools and techniques, and networking with industry leaders in that field.

Transitioning from conferences, let’s shift our focus to communities and peer networks.

Leveraging communities and peer networks

Continuous professional development thrives on a strong support network. Seek out and engage with communities of like-minded individuals to exchange knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and stay updated on the evolving AWS landscape. Here are a few ways to get involved:

  • Online forums: Utilize platforms such as AWS re:Post and Stack Overflow to ask questions, share your expertise, and connect with the broader AWS community.
  • Local meetups and user groups: Discover AWS user groups in your area. These gatherings foster a sense of community and create valuable opportunities for collaboration and networking with peers.
  • AWS Community Builders: This program offers a wealth of resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for those passionate about sharing AWS knowledge. It’s a fantastic way to accelerate your learning, grow your professional network, and give back to the AWS community.
  • Conferences and community events: Actively participate in the various events hosted by AWS, community groups, or third-party organizations. These are excellent avenues to expand your professional network, learn from others’ experiences, and stay abreast of the latest trends in AWS security.
  • Find a mentor: Build relationships with experienced community members for mentorship and guidance. A mentor can help you learn faster, avoid common pitfalls, and become an active contributor to the AWS security community yourself.

In the next and final section, we will review best practices for keeping abreast of AWS security advancements, enabling you to proactively strengthen your knowledge and your AWS environment’s security posture.

15Dec, 2022
Author Image Pat Saucier
Keeping abreast with new technologies – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Keeping abreast with new technologies

The AWS ecosystem is dynamic, with the landscape of cloud technology and security threats constantly evolving. AWS and third-party vendors frequently introduce new security services, features, and tools designed to address these challenges. For AWS professionals, staying updated with these innovations is not just about enhancing security postures—it is also about ensuring their knowledge remains current. This section delves into effective strategies for keeping pace with these developments and seamlessly integrating them into your environment.

Staying informed

Information is power in the realm of security. Security professionals must proactively seek out information on the latest AWS security announcements and security blog posts related to their topics of interest. Regular participation in AWS-specific webinars and workshops provides opportunities to gain firsthand knowledge of the latest updates and how they can be applied in practice. These resources can help you to anticipate and mitigate emerging threats with the latest AWS security technologies.

The next crucial phase involves evaluating and testing these advancements within AWS.

Evaluating and testing

Upon discovering new security technologies, evaluating their potential impact and testing their effectiveness is key. This involves doing the following:

  • Defining security enhancement objectives: Evaluate how new services or features can bolster your security posture. Establish clear metrics for evaluating new security tools, including performance, compatibility with existing systems, and overall security enhancement.
  • Testing in a controlled environment: Implement new technologies in a sandbox or development environment first. This allows you to gauge their performance, identify any integration issues, and understand their operational implications without risking production systems.
  • Security testing: Determine the actual security benefits by simulating attack scenarios or using penetration testing tools. Evaluate how technology improves your defense against these simulated threats.
  • Performance testing: Measure how the new technology performs under different scenarios. Look at its responsiveness, speed, and resource consumption during peak and off-peak hours.

Following evaluation and testing, let’s transition to ensuring compatibility and compliance as our next essential step.

12Oct, 2022
Author Image Pat Saucier
Ensuring compatibility and compliance – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Ensuring compatibility and compliance

As new security technologies are adopted, ensuring compatibility with existing systems and compliance with relevant regulations is essential. This step requires a thorough review of how new tools interact with current architectures and an assessment of compliance implications, especially for industries subject to strict regulatory standards. This requires doing the following:

  • Mapping the current infrastructure: Start by creating an updated map or diagram of your current AWS infrastructure and security setup. This will help you pinpoint where new tools will be integrated.
  • Identifying integration points: Highlight specific areas within your infrastructure where the new security solutions will interact with existing systems. This could include network connections, data flows, APIs, and Lambda functions.
  • Compatibility assessment: Conduct a detailed analysis of how new security solutions integrate with your current AWS setup. Look for potential conflicts or dependencies that might affect their function.
  • Compliance evaluation: For organizations subject to industry regulations, it is crucial to ensure that new technologies do not compromise compliance. Review the security and compliance documentation provided by AWS or third-party vendors to understand their implications.

Next, let’s discuss how to effectively integrate these solutions into your environment.

Integrating into existing environments

The successful adoption of new security technologies depends on their integration into your existing AWS environment without causing disruptions. This involves doing the following:

  • Incremental deployments: Gradually introduce new technologies, starting with non-critical systems to minimize disruption and allow for adjustments based on initial observations.
  • Automating where possible: Leverage automation for the integration process to reduce manual errors and streamline deployment. Automation can also assist in maintaining configuration standards across your environment.
  • Updating security documentation: Revise your existing security documentation. This update should cover any new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) introduced by the integration.
  • Monitoring and adjusting: After deployment, continuously monitor for operational and security performance. Be prepared to make adjustments based on the outcome.

Integration lays the groundwork for our final focus—planning for future-proof security.

12Aug, 2022
Author Image Pat Saucier
Planning for future-proof security – Keeping Up with Evolving AWS Security Best Practices and Threat Landscape

Planning for future-proof security

Adopting a forward-thinking approach to security can help you stay ahead of threats and leverage innovations in the AWS ecosystem effectively. This includes doing the following:

  • Future trends analysis: Keep an eye on emerging trends and anticipate technological advancements by leveraging market studies from renowned institutes such as Gartner, Forrester, and the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). Such research provides a broad view of the cloud security landscape, helping you predict shifts in threats and technology that could impact your security posture.
  • Engaging with AWS previews: Participate in AWS beta and preview programs by regularly checking AWS blogs and announcements, engaging with the AWS community, and attending AWS events for early access to upcoming features and services. This engagement not only offers a sneak peek into potential AWS innovations but also allows you to test and adapt these technologies in a controlled manner, giving you a competitive edge in security preparedness.
  • Monitoring AWS roadmaps: Keep a close watch on AWS product roadmaps and future feature announcements. By staying informed about planned developments, you can better align your security measures and strategies with upcoming AWS enhancements.
  • Adopting an adaptive security framework: Establish an inherently adaptable security framework, allowing for the seamless integration of new technologies. Such a framework typically involves modular security policies that can be quickly updated, automation to swiftly implement changes, and continuous monitoring to assess the effectiveness of your current security measures.

Employing these strategies will help you stay abreast of new security developments and ensure that your AWS environment remains secure and prepared for the future. Concluding our exploration of future-proof security strategies, let’s pivot to a summary of the essential points that were discussed throughout this chapter.

Summary

This final chapter served as a comprehensive guide for AWS professionals aiming to stay at the forefront of AWS security advancements. We delved into the critical importance of staying current with AWS security best practices and the evolving threat landscape. This chapter emphasized the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation in the face of rapidly advancing cloud technologies and security threats. We explored how AWS professionals can leverage a wide array of resources, including educational materials, training and certification programs, and community insights to enhance their security knowledge and skills. Through strategic planning, regular engagement with AWS updates, and proactive integration of new security measures, professionals can fortify their AWS environments against current and future vulnerabilities. This chapter serves as a guide to navigating the complex and dynamic field of AWS security, providing the tools and strategies needed to maintain a robust and resilient security posture.

16Jun, 2022
Author Image Pat Saucier
The essence of AWS security mastery – Closing Note

The essence of AWS security mastery

Our journey began with the shared responsibility model, a foundational concept that sets the stage for understanding the balance of security tasks between AWS and its users. We ventured deeper into infrastructure security, IAM, data protection, and the vast arsenal of AWS security services. We dissected VPC design, IAM intricacies, the power of encryption, the nuances of securing microservices, serverless deployments, multi-tenancy, automating security, and many more topics. Each chapter was built upon the last, brick-by-brick, layering knowledge to equip you with a robust framework for AWS security. With practical examples and in-depth discussions, the goal was to illuminate the path toward a comprehensive and resilient security posture.

The continuous evolution of cloud security

In the realms of AWS, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, change is the only constant. New threats emerge with increasing sophistication, prompting AWS to continuously roll out new services and features. These advancements are designed not just to combat emerging threats but also to meet the evolving demands of businesses. This ever-shifting landscape demands a proactive and informed security approach – an approach agile enough to embrace change and integrate cutting-edge technologies.

A significant part of AWS security’s future lies in the advancements of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the burgeoning field of generative AI. These technologies are already reshaping our security strategies, from enhancing threat detection and prediction to automating security responses. AWS has begun this transformative journey, integrating AI and ML into services such as Amazon GuardDuty for intelligent threat detection and Amazon SageMaker for building ML models to predict and thwart security vulnerabilities. As AWS continues to innovate, your ability to harness these technologies is crucial for staying ahead in the security domain.

The journey of continuous learning

As the landscape of cloud security continuously evolves, so does the need for perpetual learning and adaptation. True mastery in AWS security transcends theory; it thrives on application. This book has provided the seeds, but the garden of your expertise must be continually cultivated. The vast expanse of cloud security demands relentless curiosity, exploration, and hands-on experience. To refine your skills, actively engage with the vibrant AWS community, dive into forums and workshops, and embark on real-world projects that challenge and expand your knowledge. Remember, the path to proficiency is one of perpetual learning, where each challenge conquered is a stepping stone toward mastery.

In conclusion

This book marks a significant milestone in your journey toward AWS security mastery, but it is merely the beginning. The road ahead is filled with opportunities to expand your knowledge and refine your skills. As you progress, carry the principles and insights from these pages with you. May this knowledge serve as a foundation upon which you will continue to build, innovate, and secure within the ever-evolving AWS ecosystem.

Keep learning, keep exploring, and keep securing your cloud with passion and expertise.

25Apr, 2022
Author Image Pat Saucier
The Road to Serverless – Introduction to Serverless on AWS

The Road to Serverless

During the early 2000s, I (Sheen) was involved in building distributed applications that mainly communicated via service buses and web services—a typical service-oriented architecture (SOA). It was during this time that I first came across the term “the cloud,” which was making a few headlines in the tech industry. A few years later, I received instructions from upper management to study this new technology and report on certain key features. The early cloud offering that I was asked to explore was none other than Amazon Web Services.

My quest to get closer to the cloud started there, but it took me another few years to fully appreciate and understand the ground-shifting effect it was having in the industry. Like the butterfly effect, it was fascinating to consider how past events had brought us to the present.

The butterfly effect is a term used to refer to the concept that a small change in the state of a complex system can have nonlinear impacts on the state of that system at a later point. The most common example cited is that of a butterfly flapping its wings somewhere in the world acting as a trigger to cause a typhoon elsewhere.

From Mainframe Computing to the Modern Cloud

During the mid-1900s, mainframe computers became popular due to their vast com‐ puting power. Though massive, clunky, highly expensive, and laborious to maintain, they were the only resources available to run complex business and scientific tasks. Only a lucky few organizations and educational institutions could afford them, and they ran jobs in batch mode to make the best use of the costly systems. The concept of time-sharing was introduced to schedule and share the compute resources to run programs for multiple teams (see Figure 1-1). This distribution of the costs and resources made computing more affordable to different groups, in a way similar to the on-demand resource usage and pay-per-use computing models of the modern cloud.

Figure 1-1. Mainframe computer time-sharing (source: adapted from an image in Guide to Operating Systems by Greg Tomsho [Cengage])

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