🔒 Strengthening Cloud Security: Check out our comprehensive Cloud Security Control Audit Checklist and take the crucial step ahead towards a secure cloud environment! Protect your data by staying updated with the latest best practices.

2. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
1 Identity and Access
Management (IAM):
Use strong authentication mechanisms like Multi-
Factor Authentication (MFA)
Verify that MFA is enforced for all privileged accounts and
sensitive data access
2 Implement role-based access control (RBAC) for
managing user privileges
Review and validate the RBAC policies to ensure users have
appropriate access permissions
3 Regularly review and audit user access rights Review access logs and reports to check for any
unauthorized access attempts
4 Enable just-in-time access for administrative
accounts
Verify that administrative accounts require temporary
activation and are not permanently active
Data Encryption:
5 Encrypt data at rest using encryption keys managed
by the customer
Validate that data stored in the cloud is encrypted with
customer-controlled encryption keys
6 Enable encryption for data in transit using secure
communication protocols like HTTPS/TLS
Check network logs to confirm that data transmissions are
encrypted
7 Implement encryption for data backups Review the backup configurations to ensure data backups
are encrypted
Cloud Security Policies:
8 Develop and enforce cloud security policies that
align with industry best practices and regulatory
requirements
Review the cloud security policies and ensure they are up to
date and followed
9 Implement a security awareness and training
program for cloud users
Verify that employees receive regular security training
related to cloud services
10 Define incident response procedures for cloud-
based incidents
Review the incident response plan and assess its
effectiveness during tabletop exercises

3. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
Data Loss Prevention (DLP):
11 Implement DLP solutions to prevent sensitive data
from being leaked or exfiltrated
Assess DLP policies and validate that they are accurately
configured to prevent data leaks
12 Monitor and audit DLP events and incidents Check DLP logs and reports for any data leakage or policy
violations
Cloud Provider Compliance:
13 Verify that the cloud provider meets relevant
compliance certifications and industry standards
Review the cloud provider's compliance certifications and
audit reports
14 Regularly review the cloud provider's security
practices and procedures
Conduct regular assessments of the cloud provider's
security practices through questionnaires and audits
Patch Management:
15 Ensure that the cloud provider promptly applies
security patches to their infrastructure
Review the patch management process and verify that
critical patches are applied promptly
16 Maintain a record of applied patches and updates Review patch logs and validate the patch history for critical
systems
Security Logging and Monitoring:
17 Enable and review comprehensive logging and
monitoring for security events
Verify that security logs are being collected and retained as
per the defined log retention policy
18 Implement a Security Information and Event
Management (SIEM) system for real-time
monitoring
Review SIEM configuration and ensure it's effectively
correlating and analyzing security event
Network Security:
19 Implement network security controls like firewalls
and intrusion detection/prevention systems
Assess firewall configurations and review intrusion
detection/prevention logs
20 Segment networks to isolate critical systems and
data
Validate the network segmentation configuration to ensure
sensitive data is isolated

4. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
21 Secure Configuration
Management:
Follow secure configuration practices for cloud
services and virtual machines
Check cloud service configurations against security best
practices
22 Regular Security Assessments: Conduct periodic vulnerability assessments and
penetration testing
Review the results of vulnerability assessments and
penetration testing and verify that remediation steps are
taken for identified vulnerabilities
23 Data Backup and Recovery: Establish a robust data backup strategy with regular
testing for data recovery
Validate the data backup strategy and test the restoration
of backups
24 Disaster Recovery Plan: Develop a disaster recovery plan for business
continuity during cloud outages or incidents
Review the disaster recovery plan and evaluate its
effectiveness in recovering from various scenarios
25 Cloud API Security: Securely manage and authenticate access to cloud
APIs
Review API access controls and validate the
implementation of authentication mechanisms
26 Secure DevOps: Integrate security practices into the DevOps
process for secure application development
Evaluate the implementation of security checks and code
reviews in the DevOps pipeline
27 Asset Inventory: Maintain an updated inventory of all cloud assets
and services
Validate the asset inventory against cloud service usage
and configuration
28 Third-Party Risk Assessment: Assess and manage security risks associated with
third-party cloud service providers
Review third-party security assessments and evaluate the
effectiveness of risk management procedures
29 Secure Data Deletion: Implement secure data deletion processes to
prevent data remnants after deletion
Verify that data is securely deleted and not recoverable
after deletion
30 Cloud Compliance Monitoring: Monitor cloud services for compliance with defined
security policies
Review compliance monitoring reports and validate
compliance with security policies
31 Security Incident Logging and
Retention:
Ensure security logs are retained for an appropriate
period for forensic analysis
Verify that security logs are being retained as per the
defined log retention policy
32 Encryption Key Management: Manage encryption keys securely, and rotate them
regularly
Review encryption key management practices and validate
key rotation procedures
33 Vulnerability Management: Implement vulnerability management processes for
cloud assets
Evaluate the effectiveness of vulnerability scanning and
remediation processes
34 Audit Trail and Activity
Monitoring:
Enable audit trails and monitor activities for
unauthorized access
Review audit logs and assess access attempts and actions

5. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
35 Cloud Access Reviews:
Regularly review user access to cloud services and
data
Validate that access reviews are conducted at appropriate
intervals
36 Cross-Account Access Control:
Implement secure access controls between cloud
accounts
Verify that cross-account access is appropriately managed
and restricted
37
Secure Data Transfer to the
Cloud: Encrypt data during transmission to the cloud
Confirm that data transfer protocols use secure encryption
methods.
38 Secure Data Classification:
Classify data based on sensitivity and apply
appropriate security controls
Verify that data is classified correctly and that the relevant
security controls are applied
39 Secure API Integration:
Use secure methods to integrate applications with
cloud APIs Evaluate the security practices in place for API integration
40
Cloud Provider Security
Practices:
Understand the cloud provider's security practices
and responsibilities
Assess the cloud provider's security documentation and
agreements
41
Service Level Agreements
(SLAs):
Define service level agreements with the cloud
provider that include security requirements
Validate that SLAs include appropriate security metrics and
response times
42 Data Privacy and Compliance:
Ensure that data privacy requirements and
regulations are met Review data privacy policies and processes for compliance
43 Geolocation Restrictions:
Implement geolocation restrictions to control where
data is stored and processed
Validate that data is stored and processed only in approved
locations
44
Secure Cloud Deployment
Models:
Choose the appropriate cloud deployment models
(public, private, hybrid) based on security
requirements
Review the organization's cloud deployment models and
validate if they are appropriate
45 Cloud Incident Management:
Establish cloud-specific incident management
procedures
Review the incident management plan and evaluate its
effectiveness
46 Data Integrity Controls:
Implement data integrity controls to prevent
unauthorized changes to data
Validate the integrity of critical data and check for any
unauthorized changes
47
Secure Cloud API
Documentation:
Securely manage cloud API documentation to
prevent unauthorized access
Review API documentation access controls and verify their
effectiveness

6. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
48
Security Testing for Cloud
Applications:
Conduct security testing (e.g., penetration testing)
for cloud applications
Review security testing reports and assess the remediation
of identified vulnerabilities
49 Secure Cloud Storage:
Securely configure cloud storage to prevent
unauthorized access
Review cloud storage configurations against security best
practices
50
Cloud Provider Incident
Response:
Ensure the cloud provider has a robust incident
response plan
Review the cloud provider's incident response plan and
assess its effectiveness
51
Secure Data Transfer between
Cloud Regions:
Implement secure data transfer mechanisms
between different cloud regions
Verify that data transferred between cloud regions is
encrypted and secure
52 Cloud Resource Monitoring:
Monitor cloud resource utilization to detect
anomalies or suspicious activities
Review resource monitoring reports and assess any
unusual activities
53 Supply Chain Security:
Assess the security practices of third-party vendors
in the cloud supply chain
Review vendor security assessments and verify compliance
with security requirements
54 Secure Cloud Containerization:
Use secure containerization practices for cloud
applications
Validate that containers are securely configured and
patched
55
Business Continuity and Disaster
Recovery Testing:
Regularly test business continuity and disaster
recovery plans for cloud environments
Review test results and assess the effectiveness of the
plans
56 Secure Cloud Governance:
Implement governance measures for cloud services
and resources
Review cloud governance policies and verify their
implementation
57 Secure Cloud Orchestration:
Securely manage cloud orchestration tools and
configurations
Review cloud orchestration processes and validate their
security
58
Regulatory Compliance for Cloud
Data Storage:
Ensure compliance with data storage regulations
when using cloud services
Review compliance documentation and assess adherence
to regulations
59
Secure Cloud Integration with
On-Premises Systems:
Implement secure integration practices for
connecting cloud and on-premises systems
Validate that integration methods are secure and well-
configured
60 Data Residency Compliance:
Comply with data residency requirements when
processing data in cloud environments
Verify that data is stored and processed in locations
compliant with data residency regulations
61 Cloud Service Isolation:
Ensure isolation between different cloud services
and tenants
Validate the effectiveness of isolation mechanisms and
review access controls

7. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
62 Secure Data Anonymization and
Pseudonymization:
Use data anonymization and pseudonymization
techniques to protect sensitive data
Review data anonymization and pseudonymization
practices and assess their effectiveness
63 Secure Cloud Development
Frameworks:
Use secure development frameworks and libraries
for cloud applications
Validate that secure development practices are followed in
cloud application development
64 Cloud Threat Intelligence: Monitor cloud threat intelligence to stay informed
about emerging threats
Review threat intelligence sources and assess their
relevance and timeliness
65 Secure Cloud Change
Management:
Implement secure change management practices
for cloud environments
Review cloud change management processes and verify
adherence to procedures
66 Backup Integrity: Validate the integrity of cloud backups and ensure
they are not tampered with
Review backup logs and reports for signs of tampering
67 Secure Cloud API Gateway: Securely manage and monitor cloud API gateways Verify that API gateways are secure and properly
configured
68 Incident Root Cause Analysis: Conduct root cause analysis for cloud incidents Review incident root cause analysis reports and verify
corrective action
69 Cloud Security Training and
Awareness:
Provide cloud security training to all cloud users Validate that employees have received the required cloud
security training
70 Cloud Disaster Recovery Testing: Regularly test cloud disaster recovery capabilities Review cloud disaster recovery testing results and assess
the effectiveness of recovery procedures
71 Secure Cloud Load Balancing: Implement secure cloud load balancing for high
availability and performance
Validate that load balancers are configured securely
72 Identity Federation and Single
Sign-On (SSO):
Implement identity federation and SSO for cloud
services
Review identity federation and SSO configurations and
assess their security
73 Cloud Provider Incident
Communication:
Ensure the cloud provider has an effective
communication plan for incidents
Review the cloud provider's incident communication plan
and assess its effectiveness
74 Secure Cloud File Sharing: Use secure cloud file sharing services with
appropriate access controls
Verify that file sharing services are securely configured and
access is restricted
75 Cloud Security Analytics: Use security analytics to identify potential security
threats in the cloud environment
Review security analytics reports and assess the
effectiveness of threat detection

8. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
76 Cloud Security Training for
Developers:
Provide cloud security training to developers Validate that developers have received cloud-specific
security training
77 Cloud Compliance Audits: Conduct periodic compliance audits for cloud
environment
Review cloud compliance audit reports and verify
adherence to regulatory requirements
78 Secure Cloud Database
Management:
Securely manage cloud databases and access
controls
Verify that cloud databases are securely configured and
access is controlled
79 Security Incident Handling
Procedures:
Define procedures for handling cloud security
incidents
Review incident handling procedures and assess their
effectiveness
80 Cloud Security Risk Assessment: Conduct cloud-specific risk assessments to identify
and mitigate risks
Review cloud risk assessment reports and validate risk
mitigation actions
81 Secure Cloud Development
Environments:
Secure development environments for cloud
applications
Validate that development environments are secure and
access is controlled
82 Third-Party Cloud Security
Audits:
Conduct third-party security audits for cloud
providers
Review third-party cloud security audit reports and validate
compliance with security requirements
83 Secure Cloud DNS Management: Securely manage cloud DNS configurations to
prevent DNS-based attacks
Verify that DNS configurations are secure and follow best
practices
84 Incident Response Plan Testing: Regularly test the incident response plan through
simulations
Review incident response testing reports and assess the
effectiveness of the plan
85 Cloud Asset Discovery: Implement cloud asset discovery tools to identify
and track cloud resources
Validate that cloud assets are discovered and properly
accounted for
86 Secure Cloud Code Review: Conduct code reviews for cloud applications to
identify security vulnerabilities
Review code review reports and assess the remediation of
identified issues
87 Cloud Service Provider Security
Reviews:
Perform regular security reviews of cloud service
providers
Review cloud service provider security assessment reports
and verify adherence to security requirements
88 Secure Cloud Mobile Access: Implement secure mobile access to cloud services Validate that mobile access to cloud services is secure and
follows best practices
89 Cloud Encryption Key Rotation: Regularly rotate encryption keys used in cloud
services
Verify that encryption keys are regularly rotated as per the
defined key management policy

9. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
90
Secure Cloud Serverless
Architecture:
Secure serverless architectures for cloud
applications
Validate that serverless applications are securely
configured and follow best practices
91 Cloud Data Retention Policies:
Implement data retention policies for cloud
data Review data retention policies and assess compliance
92
Secure Cloud Container
Orchestration:
Implement secure container orchestration for
cloud applications
Validate that container orchestration is secure and
follows best practices
93
Cloud Business Continuity
Review:
Conduct regular reviews of cloud business
continuity plans
Review cloud business continuity plans and assess
their effectiveness
94
Secure Cloud Data
Warehousing:
Securely manage cloud data warehouses and
access controls
Verify that cloud data warehouses are securely
configured and access is controlled
95
Cloud Security Metrics and
Reporting:
Define and report cloud security metrics to
track the effectiveness of controls
Review cloud security metric reports and assess
control effectiveness
96 Secure Cloud Email Services:
Use secure cloud-based email services with
robust anti-phishing and anti-malware features
Verify that email services are securely configured and
protection features are active
97
Cloud Service Provider
Vulnerability Management:
Verify that cloud service providers have
effective vulnerability management processes
Review cloud service provider vulnerability
management procedures and assess their
effectiveness
98
Secure Cloud Microservices
Architecture:
Implement secure microservices architecture
for cloud applications
Validate that microservices are securely configured
and follow best practices
99
Cloud User Activity
Monitoring:
Monitor user activities in the cloud environment
for security events
Review user activity logs and validate that any
suspicious activities are investigated
100
Secure Cloud AI/ML
Implementations:
Implement security measures for cloud-based
artificial intelligence and machine learning
applications
Validate that AI/ML implementations are secure and
follow best practices

10. Sno. Domain Control Audit Step
101
Data Classification and
Encryption:
Classify data based on sensitivity and encrypt
data at rest and in transit
Review data classification policies and check
encryption mechanisms in use
102 Network Security:
Implement network segmentation, firewalls,
and intrusion detection/prevention systems
Review network diagrams, firewall configurations, and
monitoring logs
103 Secure APIs:
Ensure APIs are secured with authentication
and authorization mechanisms
Review API documentation and validate authentication
mechanisms
104 Disaster Recovery Testing:
Regularly test disaster recovery procedures and
failover capabilities
Validate the frequency and results of disaster recovery
tests
105
Cloud Service Configuration
Review:
Regularly review and update cloud service
configurations
Assess the currency and accuracy of cloud service
configurations
106 Cloud Asset Inventory:
Maintain an up-to-date inventory of cloud
assets Validate the accuracy of the cloud asset inventory
107 Cloud Compliance Monitoring:
Continuously monitor and report on compliance
status
Validate the accuracy of compliance monitoring
reports