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Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management, or CIEM, is a cybersecurity framework centered on managing and monitoring permissions within cloud platforms.
A cornerstone concept in CIEM is entitlements, which are the specific permissions or rights assigned to users or applications, determining what actions they can undertake on cloud resources. There are 11 elements that make up CIEM and dictate user cloud entitlements.
Another foundational principle is least privilege, which is the concept that users and services should only be granted the minimal set of permissions necessary to perform their tasks, reducing the likelihood of security vulnerabilities.
Cloud infrastructure entitlements are the specific permissions or rights assigned to users, services, or applications within a cloud environment. These entitlements, encompassing everything from reading data to managing configurations, determine who can access what and to what extent in the cloud. Proper management of these entitlements ensures that entities operate under the principle of least privilege. Misconfigurations or excessive entitlements can expose cloud environments to potential security risks, such as data breaches and loss of IP.
Key elements of cloud infrastructure entitlements
Cloud infrastructure entitlements are central to securing cloud environments. Here are the essential elements of entitlements.
The 11 key elements that make up CIEM
The concept of least privilege
The concept of least privilege is a cybersecurity term that describes the practice of granting users only the minimum level of permissions required for their specific requirements. Implementing least privilege helps limit the potential damage of misconfigurations, insider threats, or external breaches. CIEM tools operate under the least privilege methodology by monitoring and managing cloud entitlements to ensure that identities have as little access as is necessary.
Relevancy of least privilege for CIEM
Least privilege is a foundational component of CIEM solutions. By focusing on the effective management of cloud entitlements, CIEM solutions ensure that users have only the narrow entitlements they require to effectively perform their functions. This helps by reducing the overall attack surface, mitigating insider threats, simplifying audit and compliance, and reducing the risks of misconfigurations.
In conclusion
CIEM key concepts include the foundational elements for protecting identities in the cloud, enabling organizations to understand who is accessing your cloud resources, what data, projects and systems they are using, and how they are using your IP within your cloud environment.
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