Reference no: EM133907568
Enterprise Cloud Security
Cloud Security Architecture Case Study: Anaiysis and design Report
Purpose of the assessment:
Purpose of this assessment is to engage student groups in designing a secure cloud architecture for a real-world organization undergoing cloud migration. Acting as cloud security consultants, students will apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address security, compliance, and risk management requirements specific to their chosen industry scenario The task aims to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and technical expertise in cloud security design through a detailed report and a video presentation.
Your group is acting as cloud security consultants for an organization undergoing cloud migration. The company operates in a critical sector and requires a robust security strategy to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry standards. Your group task is to design a secure cloud architecture that addresses security concerns and meets regulatory requirements based on the principles covered in lectures and activities.
Case Study Options
Each group must choose one of the following case scenarios to base their report and presentation on:
Healthcare Cloud Migration - A hospital wants to move patient records to a cloud environment while ensuring HIPAA compliance.
Financial Institution Security - A bank is adopting cloud services and needs a secure architecture to protect transactions and customer data.
E-Government Platform - A government agency is transitioning to a cloud-based infrastructure and must meet strict security regulations.
Retail and E-Commerce Security - A large retail company is moving its operations to the cloud and must design a secure payment processing system.
Cloud-Based Learning Management System - A university is deploying an LMS on the cloud and needs secure authentication and data privacy controls.
Media Streaming Platform Security - A media company is building a cloud-based video streaming platform and must secure copyrighted content.
Automotive IoT and Cloud Security - A car manufacturer is integrating IoT-based vehicle tracking systems into a cloud environment.
Supply Chain and Logistics Security - A global logistics company is leveraging cloud services for real-time supply chain tracking.
Telecommunications Cloud Security - A telecom provider is shifting its operations to the cloud and must secure its VoIP and customer data.
Blockchain and Cloud Security - A fintech startup is deploying blockchain-based transactions on a cloud infrastructure and needs security assurance. Boost your grades with expert assignment help today!
Assessment: Report Structure (With Report Template)
Title Page
This must contain the title of the report (make the title as informative as possible), names and IDs of all group members, and unit code and name.
Table of Contents
Ideally, but not necessarily, constructed using the hyperlink functions in Word. Lists of figures and tables are not required.
Summary
Provides a brief overview of the report, highlighting the selected cloud service and deployment models, key threats and vulnerabilities, proposed security controls, and how the overall design enhances future cloud security and compliance.
Main Body
Introduction
This section introduces the importance of secure cloud architecture in critical sectors. It outlines the report's objective-to develop a secure cloud solution tailored to a real-world organization undergoing cloud migration. The introduction highlights the need to assess risks, select appropriate cloud models, ensure compliance, and implement layered security to safeguard data and services.
Cloud Deployment and Service Models
Justifies the use of IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS based on organizational needs. Evaluates and recommends the most suitable cloud deployment model (Public, Private, Hybrid, or Multi-Cloud) for scalability, control, and compliance.
Security Architecture Design
Proposes a cloud security architecture following Defence in Depth principles. Identifies essential security layers (e.g., perimeter, identity, data) and specifies required controls at each layer to protect cloud resources.
Risk Assessment and Threat Mitigation
Assesses potential threats such as data breaches, misconfigurations, and insider risks. Provides effective mitigation strategies including monitoring, access control, and secure design practices.
Data Protection and Cryptography
Outlines encryption and hashing methods to secure data at rest and in transit. Justifies the use of symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption based on performance, confidentiality, and key management.
Network Security and Server Hardening
Details firewall settings, IPS/IDS deployment, and network segmentation for isolation and monitoring. Provides secure server configuration techniques to minimize attack surfaces.
Compliance and Business Continuity
Identifies applicable regulations and SLA considerations. Proposes a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery strategy to maintain operations and data integrity during disruptions.
Practical Design Demonstration
The following practical design elements must be included in your reports:
Design and document a cloud security architecture diagram that illustrates the chosen cloud deployment for the selected case scenario.
Demonstrate secure authentication mechanisms by designing a small-scale identity and access management (IAM) configuration using a cloud provider (e.g., AWS IAM roles, Azure Active Directory, or Google Cloud Identity).
Showcase encryption in transit and at rest by describing how data is protected within the cloud environment, referencing real-world cloud encryption mechanisms.
Provide a step-by-step approach for server hardening techniques relevant to cloud-hosted environments.
Reflection
Provides your reflections on the project experience, outlining contributions, collaboration strategies, challenges faced, and lessons learned during the design and implementation of the secure cloud architecture.
Conclusion
This section summarizes the key design elements and mitigation strategies proposed in the report. It reaffirms the importance of aligning technical controls with organizational needs and regulatory requirements. The report concludes with a reflection on the role of secure cloud architecture in supporting long-term digital resilience.
References
A list of at least 10 recent and relevant academic and industry sources, formatted in IEEE style, supporting the design choices, risk analysis, and technologies discussed in the report.
Assessment 2b: Presentation Structure (PPT Format)
You must prepare a presentation summarising your cloud security design. The presentation must be clear, concise, and demonstrate practical application, including the following structure:
Slide 1: Title slide (Project title, group members' names, date, video link)
Slide 2: Introduction (Company overview and cloud migration goals)
Slides 3-4: Cloud Deployment and Service Models
Slides 5-6: Security Architecture and Defence in Depth Design
Slide 7: Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Slide 8: Data Protection and Cryptography Strategy
Slide 9: Network Security & Server Hardening
Slide 10: Compliance & Business Continuity Plan
Slide 11: Practical Design Demonstration
Slide 12: Conclusion
Slide 13: References