Cloud Security Fundamentals

Objectives:

• Introduce cloud architecture and security challenges.
• Prepare learners for cloud security roles.
• Cover basic security best practices for cloud environments.

Curriculum:

• Cloud Computing Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
• Cloud Deployment & Service Models
• Cloud Security Risks & Threats
• Identity & Access Management (IAM)
• Data Security & Encryption
• Cloud Compliance & Governance
• Cloud Security Architectures
• Cost & Security Trade-Offs

12-Week Cloud Security Fundamentals Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing & Architecture

Begin with an overview of cloud computing, including its evolution, benefits, and core concepts. Cover the primary service models — Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) — and deployment models such as public, private, and hybrid clouds.

Week 2: Understanding Cloud Service & Deployment Models Deepen knowledge on how different models are used in real-world scenarios, their advantages, and security implications. Discuss case studies of popular cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Week 3: Cloud Security Risks & Threats

Introduce common security challenges and threats in cloud environments, such as data breaches, misconfigurations, account hijacking, and insider threats. Emphasize the shared responsibility model of cloud security.

Week 4: Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Focus on managing user identities, permissions, and policies within cloud platforms. Hands-on labs configuring IAM roles, users, groups, and policies in AWS, Azure, or GCP to enforce least privilege.

Week 5: Data Security & Encryption

Cover data protection in transit and at rest, including encryption mechanisms, key management, and data masking. Conduct exercises

encrypting data at rest and in transit in cloud environments.

Week 6: Cloud Compliance & Governance

Discuss applicable compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)

and how to implement governance controls. Focus on audit trails, logging, and establishing security policies aligned with compliance requirements.

Week 7: Cloud Security Architectures

Explore best practices for designing secure cloud architectures, including network segmentation, Web Application Firewalls (WAF), intrusion

detection/prevention, and security controls placement.

Week 8: Cost & Security Trade-Offs

Address balancing security with cost management. Discuss options like over-provisioning, automation, and choosing optimal security controls

versus budget constraints. Use real-world scenarios to illustrate trade-offs.

Week 9: Hands-On Cloud Security Configurations

Utilize free cloud tiers (AWS Free Tier, Azure, GCP) for practical labs: setting up secure virtual machines, storage, and networks; configuring IAM roles and policies; implementing basic security controls.

Week 10: Implementing Data Security & Encryption

Conduct exercises on encrypting data stored in cloud buckets, databases, and virtual machines. Practice key management with cloud-native tools

such as AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, or GCP Cloud KMS.

Week 11: Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Security Best Practices

Learn about managing security across multiple cloud providers and hybrid environments. Cover multi-cloud identity federation, unified security policies, and centralized monitoring solutions.

Week 12: Final Review & Cloud Security Best Practices

Conclude with a summary of principles, best practices, and common pitfalls. Include a capstone project: designing a secure cloud architecture for a hypothetical scenario. Assess understanding through quizzes and scenario-based exams.

Labs/Tools/Simulations:

• AWS Free Tier, Azure, GCP environments
• Configuring IAM roles and policies
• Secure VM & Storage setups
• Cloud Data Encryption exercises

• Multi-cloud security best practices

Internships & Projects:

• Cloud architecture design & security review
• Data security in cloud projects
• Cloud compliance assessments

Certifications:

• AWS Certified Security – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer
• Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer

Job Readiness Program:

• Cloud security case studies
• Cloud vendor-specific interview prep
• Resume building for cloud roles