diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index dc161db..3dcf3ff 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,12 +1,77 @@ -# cloudific - -[Monitoring & Security ] -Regarding the Previous Architecture On May 31, 2024, the backend experienced a 3-hour downtime due to unresponsiveness, which impacted the business. After further investigation, it was determined that the issue was caused by a DDoS attack (IP flooding) on the backend ECS service . The client requires a robust monitoring and alerting system with built-in security features such as a firewall and authentication, without relying on third-party monitoring/security tools due to budget constraints. As a DevOps/Cloud/Solutions specialist, how would you create an observability solution with security measures in place within the infrastructure to meet their objectives? Please ensure the following points are addressed: - -Timeline: 1 week (flexible if necessary, but aim to complete within the estimated time) -*[IMPORTANT]* Architecture Diagram: A detailed architecture diagram is crucial. -*[IMPORTANT]* Proposed Solutions: Clearly state the solutions and explain why they are effective. Outline the changes that will enhance monitoring and security within the infrastructure. *[IMPORTANT]* Threat Mapping Diagram: Provide a threat mapping diagram in the architecture. -*[GOOD TO HAVE]* Infrastructure as Code: Use infrastructure as code to create AWS resources. -*[GOOD TO HAVE]* CI/CD Integration: Implement CI/CD pipelines to deploy resources. -*[IMPORTANT]* Version Control: Store the code in GitHub or any other version control system. -*[GOOD TO HAVE]* Network Flow Diagram: Include a network flow diagram. +# cloudific Secure Cloud Monitor Project + +## Overview + +The cloudific Secure Cloud Monitor Monitor project is designed to enhance the security and monitoring capabilities of cloud infrastructure on AWS. It aims to provide a robust, scalable, and cost-effective observability framework, incorporating AWS-native services and Aviatrix for advanced network security. This initiative addresses the need for improved resilience and threat management following a DDoS attack that highlighted vulnerabilities in the existing setup. + +## Components + +- **Amazon ECS**: Container management service that supports Docker containers. +- **Amazon CloudWatch**: Monitoring service for AWS cloud resources and applications. +- **AWS WAF and Shield**: Services providing protection against DDoS attacks and other web exploits. +- **AWS IAM**: Manages access to AWS services and resources securely. +- **AWS VPC**: Isolates cloud resources with virtual networking environment. +- **AWS ALB**: Automatically distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets. +- **Amazon GuardDuty**: Threat detection service that continuously monitors malicious or unauthorized behavior. +- **AWS Config**: Service that enables you to assess, audit, and evaluate the configurations of AWS resources. +- **AWS CloudTrail**: Service that enables governance, compliance, operational auditing, and risk auditing of your AWS account. +- **AWS Systems Manager**: Helps you manage your AWS resources. +- **Aviatrix**: Cloud network platform with enhanced security and multi-cloud network visibility. + +## Prerequisites + +Before you begin, ensure you have the following: + +- An AWS account with appropriate permissions to create the necessary resources. +- Terraform installed on your machine. Visit Terraform's website for download instructions. +- Configure your AWS CLI with credentials that have necessary permissions. + +## Repository Structure + +- **/modules**: Contains all Terraform configuration files. +- **/.github/workflows**: Contains scripts for CI/CD integration and other automation tasks. +- **/SAD.md**: Documentation files and additional resources. +- **main.tf**: main file for infrastructure provisioning. +- **provisioners.tf**: provisioning. + +## Setup Instructions + +1. **Clone the Repository**: + + `git clone https://github.com/alvo254/cloudific.git cd cloudific` + +2. **Initialize Terraform**: In the root directory and run the initialization command. This will download all necessary Terraform providers. + + `terraform init` + +3. **Configure AWS Credentials**: Make sure your AWS credentials are configured by setting up the AWS CLI or by setting environment variables: + + `export AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID="your-access-key-id" export AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="your-secret-access-key" export AWS_DEFAULT_REGION="us-east-1"` + +4. **Plan the Deployment**: Check the execution plan to see the resources Terraform plans to create: + + `terraform plan` + +5. **Apply the Configuration**: Deploy your infrastructure: + `terraform apply` + + When prompted, type `yes` to proceed with the creation of resources. + +6. **Verify Deployment**: After Terraform successfully applies the configuration, verify that all resources are created and functioning as expected in the AWS Management Console. + +## CI/CD Integration + +This project uses GitHub Actions for CI/CD. The workflows located in the `.github/workflows` directory facilitate the automation of build, test, and deployment processes. + +- Review and adapt the pipeline scripts as necessary. +- Ensure all environment variables and secrets are configured in your GitHub repository settings. + +## Maintenance and Monitoring + +- Regularly update and review AWS CloudWatch for insights. +- Set CloudWatch alarms to notify on critical issues. +- Use AWS Config for continuous compliance monitoring. + +## Documentation and Training + +- Keep all project documentation updated within the `sad.md` solutions architect document. diff --git a/SAD.md b/SAD.md index 9bfa865..9be8d7d 100644 --- a/SAD.md +++ b/SAD.md @@ -1,57 +1,267 @@ # Solutions architect document - ## Table of Contents -Executive Summary -Current Architecture Review -Proposed Enhancements -AWS Native Solutions -Aviatrix Integration -Terraform Infrastructure as Code -CI/CD Pipeline Implementation -Testing and Validation -Deployment Strategy -Maintenance and Monitoring - -Project Overview +- Executive Summary +- Current Architecture Review +- Proposed Enhancements +- AWS Native Solutions +- Aviatrix Integration +- Terraform Infrastructure as Code +- CI/CD Pipeline Implementation +- Testing and Validation +- Deployment Strategy +- Maintenance and Monitoring + +## 1. Executive Summary The SecureCloud Monitor project aims to enhance the security and monitoring capabilities of a cloud infrastructure on AWS, specifically addressing the need for an integrated solution that utilizes AWS-native services for a cost-effective, scalable, and robust observability framework. This initiative follows a recent DDoS attack that caused significant downtime, underlining the need for improved resilience and threat management. -Project Objectives -Implement robust monitoring and alerting systems: Utilize AWS CloudWatch and AWS X-Ray for comprehensive monitoring and observability. -Enhance security measures: Integrate AWS WAF and AWS Shield for improved security posture against DDoS and other attacks. -Infrastructure as Code: Use Terraform for provisioning and managing AWS resources. -CI/CD Integration: Establish pipelines for continuous integration and deployment using AWS CodePipeline and AWS CodeBuild. -Version Control: Manage and store all infrastructure code on GitHub. -Architectural Strategy -1. AWS Core Services Utilization -Amazon VPC: Foundation of the cloud environment ensuring isolated network architecture. -Amazon ECS: Container management service to run and scale application deployments securely. -2. Security Components -AWS WAF and AWS Shield: Protect the application from web exploits and DDoS attacks. -IAM Roles and Policies: Ensure minimal access necessary for operations to enhance security. -3. Monitoring and Logging -AWS CloudWatch: Monitor resources and applications, capturing logs and metrics. -AWS X-Ray: Analyze and debug production, providing insights into the architecture's performance and operations. -4. CI/CD and DevOps Tools -AWS CodePipeline: Automate the release processes, enabling fast and reliable application updates. -AWS CodeBuild: Compile source code, run tests, and produce ready-to-deploy software packages. -5. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) -Terraform: Provision and manage AWS resources as code, enhancing the consistency and reproducibility of the infrastructure. -Detailed Component Analysis -Networking and Security -VPC Configuration: Define subnets, route tables, and gateways to control network traffic flow securely. -Security Groups and NACLs: Deploy stateful and stateless traffic control to safeguard inbound and outbound interactions. -Containerization and Orchestration -ECS Task Definitions: Specify the containers and volume configuration. -ECS Services: Manage the long-running instances of application containers. -Identity and Access Management -IAM Roles: Specific roles for ECS tasks, CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy to interact securely with other AWS services. -Deployment Strategy -Blue/Green Deployment: Minimize downtime and risk by ensuring that the new version is up and running before switching traffic. - -Documentation and Version Control -Documentation: Detailed documentation of the architecture, settings, and operational procedures. -Version Control: Use GitHub for source code management and version control, ensuring that changes are tracked and managed effectively. -Risk Assessment and Mitigation -Threat Identification: Regularly update threat models to reflect potential security risks. -Security Audits: Periodic reviews and audits to ensure compliance with security standards and best practices. \ No newline at end of file +## 2. Current Architecture Review + +- On May 31, 2024, the backend ECS service experienced a 3-hour downtime caused by a DDoS attack (IP flooding). +- The current setup lacks sufficient monitoring, alerting, and security measures to prevent and respond to such incidents. + +**Existing Components:** + +- **Amazon ECS**: Manages containerized applications. +- **AWS ALB**: Distributes traffic to ECS tasks. +- **AWS IAM**: Manages access control + +## 3. Proposed Enhancements +- **Amazon ECS (Elastic Container Service)**: Manages the containerized application. +- **Amazon CloudWatch**: For monitoring and logging. +- **AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall)**: For protection against DDoS attacks and IP filtering. +- **AWS Shield**: Provides DDoS protection. +- **AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management)**: For secure access control. +- **AWS VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)**: Isolates the ECS service in private subnets with necessary security groups. +- **AWS ALB (Application Load Balancer)**: Distributes traffic and integrates with WAF for security. +- **Amazon GuardDuty**: For continuous security monitoring and threat detection. +- **AWS Config**: To assess, audit, and evaluate the configurations of AWS resources. +- **AWS CloudTrail**: For logging and monitoring account activity. +- **AWS Systems Manager**: For operational data and automation of tasks. +- **Aviatrix**: For advanced network security and multi-cloud networking. + +### 4. AWS Native Solutions + +**Security Measures:** + +- **AWS WAF**: Protect against DDoS attacks and IP flooding. +- **AWS Shield**: Provide DDoS protection. +- **AWS IAM**: Implement least privilege access control. +- **AWS VPC**: Isolate ECS services in private subnets with security groups. +- **AWS ALB**: Distribute traffic and integrate with WAF. + +**Monitoring and Observability:** + +- **Amazon CloudWatch**: Monitor logs, metrics, and set alarms. +- **Amazon GuardDuty**: Continuous security monitoring and threat detection. +- **AWS Config**: Track resource configurations and compliance. +- **AWS CloudTrail**: Log and monitor account activity. +- **AWS Systems Manager**: Centralize operational data and automate tasks. + +### 5. Aviatrix Integration + +**Network Security and Management:** + +- **Aviatrix Controller**: Centralized management of network security and operations. +- **Aviatrix CoPilot**: Enhanced visibility and monitoring of network traffic. +- **Aviatrix Security**: Advanced security controls including segmentation, firewall, and encryption. +#### **Centralized Network Visibility** + +Aviatrix provides a centralized controller that allows you to visualize and manage your entire multi-cloud network through a single pane of glass. This includes: + +- **Topology Visualization**: Interactive, real-time diagrams of your entire network architecture across multiple clouds. This helps in quickly understanding the network layout and the interconnections between different network entities. +- **Traffic Flow Analysis**: Insights into traffic patterns and flows within the network. This is crucial for identifying bottlenecks, understanding traffic behavior, and ensuring efficient routing of data. + +#### **Advanced Analytics and Logging** + +Aviatrix enhances its monitoring capabilities by integrating with native cloud services like AWS CloudWatch and also by providing its own detailed logging mechanisms: + +- **FlowIQ**: Aviatrix FlowIQ provides deep analytics into network traffic flows. It uses data collected from across the network to provide visibility into traffic based on source, destination, protocols, ports, and more. This is valuable for security monitoring, compliance audits, and troubleshooting network issues. +- **NetFlow Data**: Aviatrix gateways can export NetFlow data, which can be integrated with third-party SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems for advanced analysis and threat detection. + +#### **Alerting and Notifications** + +Aviatrix allows you to set up custom alerts based on a wide range of metrics related to network and security: + +- **Threshold-based Alerts**: You can configure alerts for various metrics like traffic thresholds, VPN tunnel status, gateway health, etc. +- **System Events**: Receive notifications for system events such as configuration changes, unauthorized access attempts, and more. + +#### **Security Monitoring** + +The security features integrated into Aviatrix’s monitoring capabilities are designed to provide enhanced protection and visibility: + +- **Egress Security**: Monitors and controls outbound traffic to prevent data exfiltration and block access to malicious destinations. +- **Ingress Security**: Ensures only authorized access to resources within the cloud environment, monitoring for anomalies and potential attacks. +- **Network Segmentation**: Visibility into network segmentation rules and their enforcement points, helping ensure compliance and reduce the risk of lateral movement within the network. + +#### **Operational Intelligence** + +Aviatrix also provides operational insights that are critical for maintaining the health and efficiency of cloud networks: + +- **Health Checks**: Regular health checks on critical network components like gateways and VPN connections. +- **Configuration Tracking**: Monitors and logs configuration changes, providing an audit trail that can be used for troubleshooting and compliance. + +#### **API Integration** + +Aviatrix provides a robust API that allows you to integrate its monitoring capabilities into other operational tools or custom dashboards. This enables automated workflows and enhances the ability to respond to events quickly and efficiently. + +#### **Geographical Insights** + +With its global reach across multiple clouds, Aviatrix can provide geographical insights into traffic flows and threats, which is particularly useful for organizations with a global footprint, ensuring compliance with regional regulations and optimizing performance. + + +### 6. Terraform Infrastructure as Code + +Terraform will be used to automate the provisioning and management of the AWS infrastructure and Aviatrix integration. This ensures consistency, repeatability, and ease of management. + +**IAM Role and Policy Attachments:** + +- Define IAM roles with policies for ECS task execution. +- Attach necessary policies for CloudWatch logging and task execution. + +**ECS Task Definition and Service:** + +- Define ECS task definition with container configurations, resource allocations, and security settings. +- Create ECS service to manage task deployment, scaling, and networking. + +### 7. CI/CD Pipeline Implementation + +A CI/CD pipeline will automate the build, test, and deployment processes, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery of updates. + +**Pipeline Components:** + +- **Source Control**: Use GitHub for version control and collaboration. +- **Build and Test**: Automate building Docker images and running tests. +- **Deployment**: Use GitHub Actions to deploy updates to ECS and manage infrastructure with Terraform. + +### 8. Testing and Validation + +**Automated Tests:** + +- Implement unit tests and integration tests for application code. +- Use load testing tools to simulate traffic and ensure the system can handle DDoS attacks. + +**Security Validation:** + +- Use AWS Security Hub to review and improve security posture. +- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing. + +### 9. Deployment Strategy + +#### Blue-Green Deployment Model + +#### Implementation Steps + +1. **Environment Setup** + + - **Blue Environment**: This is your current production environment. + - **Green Environment**: This environment is created as an exact replica of the Blue environment. It is updated with the new release for testing and validation. +2. **Infrastructure Duplication** + + - Use Terraform to provision a complete replica of your existing production environment. This includes ECS services, databases, networking configurations, and any other dependent resources. + - Ensure both environments are isolated and do not share stateful resources like databases unless these are also replicated or synchronized. +3. **CI/CD Pipeline Adaptation** + + - Adapt your CI/CD pipeline (implemented using GitHub Actions) to support Blue-Green deployments. + - Deploy changes initially to the Green environment. Once deployed, conduct all necessary tests including load testing and security validation. +4. **Traffic Management** + + - Utilize AWS Route 53 or an Application Load Balancer (ALB) to manage traffic between the two environments. + - Gradually route a small percentage of traffic to the Green environment (canary testing) and monitor performance and stability. + - If the Green environment is stable, switch all traffic from Blue to Green. The ALB can facilitate this switch without downtime. +5. **Monitoring and Validation** + + - During the initial traffic rerouting phase, closely monitor application logs, performance metrics, and user feedback. + - Utilize AWS CloudWatch and Aviatrix’s CoPilot for real-time monitoring and alerting. +6. **Rollback Strategy** + + - In case of any issues post-deployment, immediately reroute traffic back to the Blue environment. + - Because the Blue environment remains untouched during the new release testing, rollback is safe and immediate. +7. **Final Cutover and Cleanup** + + - Once the Green environment has been validated and is fully operational without issues, decommission the previous Blue environment or repurpose it as the new staging area for the next release cycle. + - Regularly update the rollback environment to keep it synchronized with production changes that occur post-deployment. + +#### Advantages + +- **Reduced Risk**: Immediate rollback capabilities without impacting the user experience. +- **Zero Downtime**: Switch traffic between environments without downtime, ideal for high-availability applications. +- **Reliable Releases**: Thorough testing in a production-like environment before full exposure to end-users. + +#### Maintenance and Continuous Improvement + +- Continuously refine the Blue-Green process, especially focusing on automation and monitoring aspects. +- Use insights from deployments to improve system resilience and deployment smoothness. + +**Phased Rollout:** + +- Deploy updates to a staging environment first. +- Monitor the staging environment for any issues. +- Gradually roll out changes to production using a canary deployment strategy. + +**Rollback Plan:** + +- Implement automated rollback mechanisms in case of deployment failures. +- Use versioned ECS task definitions to quickly revert to a previous stable version. + +### 10. Maintenance and Monitoring + +**Regular Monitoring:** + +- Continuously monitor system performance and security using CloudWatch, GuardDuty, and Aviatrix CoPilot. +- Set up CloudWatch alarms to alert on any critical issues. +##### AWS Config Integration + +AWS Config plays a pivotal role in compliance and configuration management. It provides detailed insights into resource configuration and changes while ensuring that the configurations adhere to compliance guidelines. Here’s how AWS Config can be incorporated into the existing system: + +1. **Configuration Recording**: + + - **Resource Tracking**: Automatically record configurations and changes for all AWS resources. This includes tracking changes in VPCs, EC2 instances, ECS services, IAM roles, and security groups. + - **Inventory**: Maintain an inventory of all AWS resources, which helps in auditing and compliance. +2. **Compliance Enforcement**: + + - **Managed Rules**: Utilize AWS Config managed rules to assess compliance with common best practices and regulatory standards. + - **Custom Rules**: Develop custom AWS Lambda functions to define and evaluate specific compliance requirements unique to your organizational needs. +3. **Continuous Monitoring**: + + - **Change Management**: AWS Config continuously monitors and records your AWS resource configurations and captures changes in real-time. This enables quick detection of non-compliant changes and unauthorized activities. + - **Alerts and Notifications**: Integrate with Amazon SNS to send real-time alerts when non-compliant changes are detected. +4. **Compliance Auditing**: + + - **Audit Trail**: AWS Config maintains a record of all configuration changes over time, which serves as an audit trail for security audits and compliance checks. + - **Compliance Dashboard**: Use the AWS Config dashboard to review current and historical configurations and their compliance status against the rules. +5. **Integration with CI/CD Pipeline**: + + - **Automated Compliance Checks**: Integrate AWS Config compliance checks into your CI/CD pipeline to ensure that all deployments are compliant before they are released to production. + - **Rollback Mechanisms**: Automate rollback of changes that do not comply with defined compliance checks. + +#### Enhancing the Deployment Strategy with Compliance + +#### Revised Deployment Process + +1. **Pre-Deployment Compliance Assessment**: + + - **Automated Compliance Check**: Before deploying new configurations or updates, automatically trigger AWS Config rules to ensure changes comply with security and regulatory policies. + - **Approval Process**: Incorporate an approval step in the CI/CD pipeline where deployment proceeds only after compliance is confirmed. +2. **Post-Deployment Monitoring and Validation**: + + - **Continuous Compliance Monitoring**: After deployment, continuously monitor the compliance status of the new configuration using AWS Config. + - **Compliance Reports**: Generate periodic compliance reports for internal audits and regulatory requirements. +3. **Documentation and Training**: + + - **Compliance Documentation**: Maintain detailed documentation of all compliance checks, configurations, and any exceptions granted. + - **Training Programs**: Regular training sessions for the DevOps and cloud teams to update them on compliance requirements, AWS Config usage, and best practices in configuration management. + +**Ongoing Maintenance:** + +- Regularly update ECS task definitions and security policies. +- Review and optimize infrastructure costs using AWS Cost Explorer. + +**Documentation and Training:** + +- Maintain comprehensive documentation of the infrastructure and deployment processes. +- Provide training to the operations team on new tools and processes. + +### Conclusion + +This comprehensive strategy enhances the security, monitoring, and resilience of the backend ECS service. By leveraging AWS native services and Aviatrix, we ensure a robust, budget-friendly solution that meets the client's needs and protects against future incidents. diff --git a/main.tf b/main.tf index 68bb1d5..2beb653 100644 --- a/main.tf +++ b/main.tf @@ -13,7 +13,3 @@ module "ecs" { # container_image = "fitnesshero" } -# output "ecs_task_definition_arn" { -# description = "The ARN of the ECS task definition from the module" -# value = module.ecs.task_definition_arn -# } \ No newline at end of file