Cloud Security Policy as Code

Overview

This repository manages an organization’s official Cloud Security Policy using Markdown to enable version control, transparent collaboration, and real-time updates. It is tailored for the healthcare industry, ensuring alignment with HIPAA and cloud-specific compliance mandates.

The policy is stored in a GitHub repository with branch protection, automated review workflows, and traceable change history. This Git-native model enables GRC and engineering teams to collaborate on security governance seamlessly.

Objectives

• Author and manage cloud security policy in Markdown
• Track all changes with Git commit history and reviewer approvals
• Integrate compliance checks into pull requests using GitHub Actions
• Provide a searchable, linkable policy that reflects real-time state
• Support audit readiness with evidence of access, edits, and reviews

Architecture Diagram

(Lucidchart or Draw.io link showing Markdown repo + PR review pipeline + GitHub Actions + AWS S3 for backups + GitHub Audit Logs)

Prerequisites

• GitHub repository with branch protections
• CODEOWNERS configured for mandatory review
• GitHub Actions enabled
• AWS CLI configured
• Optional: AWS CodeCommit or CodeArtifact for private backup/mirroring

Lab Steps

1. Clone the repository:
   git clone https://github.com/your-org/cloudsecurity-policy-repo-gov

2. Create initial policy:

   mkdir -p docs
   touch docs/cloud-security-policy.md
   git add docs/cloud-security-policy.md
   git commit -m "Initial cloud security policy scaffold"
   git push -u origin main

3. Set up CODEOWNERS to enforce review:

   # .github/CODEOWNERS
   * @grc-leads @cloud-architects
   

4. Create .gitignore to protect local and sensitive files:

   *.tfstate
   *.log
   .terraform/
   *.bak
   *.zip
   aws-exports.js
   credentials
   .env
   

5. Enable GitHub Actions with policy linter (e.g., markdownlint)

6. Optional: Sync to AWS CodeCommit or store snapshots in S3 for resilience

Cloud Security Policy Content (Healthcare Aligned)

Stored in docs/cloud-security-policy.md with the following outline:

• IAM and Role Management
• Data Protection (S3, KMS, TLS)
• Logging and Monitoring (CloudTrail, Config, GuardDuty)
• System Security and Patch Management
• Incident Response and Escalation
• Change Management through IaC
• Quarterly Audits and Artifact Evidence
• Workforce Training and Awareness

Automation (GitHub Actions + AWS)

• GitHub Actions: Lint cloud-security-policy.md
• GitHub Actions: Terraform deployment pipeline
• AWS S3: Backup every merged policy version
• AWS IAM Access Analyzer: Region-wide enablement
• AWS Config: Managed rules for encryption and MFA

Terraform IaC

• AWS Config Rules for S3 encryption and IAM MFA
• SNS + Lambda remediation trigger setup
• Python function to enforce encryption

Drift Detection and Auto-Remediation Lab

• Simulates unencrypted S3 drift
• Remediates via Lambda
• Optionally logs GitHub Issue for audit evidence

Compliance Mapping

Control ID	Framework	Description	Implementation
PL-2	NIST 800-53	System Security and Privacy Plan	Policy versioned in Git with mandatory review
A.5.1.1	ISO 27001	Policies for Information Security	Stored as Markdown, reviewed quarterly
14.2	CIS Controls	Establish and Maintain Security Policies	GitHub with audit logs and CODEOWNERS
164.308(a)(1)(ii)(A)	HIPAA Security Rule	Risk Management Process	Git-backed policies & PR traceability

Skills Demonstrated

• GRC-as-Code using GitHub and Markdown
• Policy governance aligned with NIST, ISO, HIPAA
• GitOps for compliance control tracking
• GitHub CI for policy review workflows
• AWS integration for backup and evidence collection
• Terraform for AWS Config compliance enforcement
• CI pipeline for infrastructure policy deployment
• Automated drift detection and remediation

Resources

• NIST 800-53 PL Control Family
• HIPAA Security Rule Summary
• CIS Controls v8
• GitHub Actions Documentation
• AWS Config Rule Reference