SCS-C02

The AWS Certified Security - Specialty (SCS-C02) exam focuses on your ability to implement and manage security controls within the AWS ecosystem. Here are the main points, grouped conceptually:

I. Security Concepts and Best Practices:

• Security Pillars: Understanding the foundational security principles AWS emphasizes: Identity and Access Management (IAM), data protection, network security, compliance, and logging and monitoring. You should know how these relate and work together.
• Compliance: Familiarity with various compliance standards (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO 27001) and how AWS services help achieve compliance. Knowing how to map AWS services to specific compliance requirements is crucial.
• Security Frameworks: Understanding common security frameworks (e.g., NIST Cybersecurity Framework) and how they apply to AWS deployments.
• Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks in AWS environments. This includes understanding threat modeling and vulnerability management.

II. Identity and Access Management (IAM):

• IAM Policies: Deep understanding of policy structures, permissions, and how to create least privilege policies. This includes managing roles, users, and groups effectively.
• IAM Identity Center: Configuring and managing user access using AWS IAM Identity Center (successor to AWS SSO) for centralized identity management.
• Federation: Understanding different federation methods to integrate with on-premises identity systems.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing and managing MFA for enhanced security.
• Access Control: Leveraging AWS services for granular control over access to resources (e.g., resource-based policies, condition keys).

III. Data Protection:

• Data Encryption: Using encryption services (e.g., AWS KMS, client-side encryption) to protect data at rest and in transit. Understanding different encryption types (symmetric, asymmetric) is vital.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Implementing solutions to prevent data leakage and ensure data confidentiality. This includes using AWS services like Amazon Macie.
• Data Backup and Recovery: Designing and implementing robust backup and disaster recovery strategies.
• Key Management: Managing encryption keys effectively using AWS Key Management Service (KMS).

IV. Networking Security:

• Virtual Private Cloud (VPC): Understanding VPC design principles, including subnets, routing tables, security groups, and network ACLs. You need to know how to secure your VPC environments.
• Transit Gateway: Using the AWS Transit Gateway to connect multiple VPCs and on-premises networks securely.
• VPN and Direct Connect: Establishing secure connections between AWS and on-premises networks.
• Firewall Management: Implementing and managing firewalls using AWS services like AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall).

V. Security Monitoring and Logging:

• Amazon GuardDuty: Using GuardDuty for threat detection and security monitoring.
• Amazon CloudTrail: Leveraging CloudTrail for auditing and logging of AWS API calls.
• Amazon CloudWatch: Using CloudWatch for monitoring security metrics and creating alarms.
• Amazon Inspector: Using Inspector for automated vulnerability assessments.
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Integrating AWS services with SIEM solutions for centralized security monitoring.

VI. Other Important Areas:

• AWS Organizations: Managing multiple AWS accounts with centralized policies and governance.
• AWS Config: Using AWS Config to assess and manage the configuration of your AWS resources.
• AWS Systems Manager: Utilizing Systems Manager for patching, configuration management, and automated remediation.

Remember that this is a high-level overview. The exam requires in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with these services and concepts. You should consult the official AWS exam guide for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.