AWS re:Inforce 2023 - How AWS threat intelligence becomes managed firewall rules (NIS301)

Introduction

This tutorial explores how AWS collects and utilizes threat intelligence to implement managed firewall rules, specifically through AWS Managed Rules for AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall). Understanding this process is crucial for enhancing your security posture in cloud environments, ensuring that your applications are protected against evolving threats.

Step 1: Understand Threat Intelligence Collection

AWS collects threat intelligence from various sources to identify potential security risks. This process involves:

• Data Gathering: AWS aggregates threat data from multiple sources, including:

  • Internal security findings
  • External threat feeds
  • Community reports

• Verification: Collected data is thoroughly vetted for accuracy to prevent false positives.

• Collation: Verified data is organized to create actionable intelligence that can be used across AWS services.

Step 2: Integrate Threat Intelligence into AWS Services

Once threat intelligence is verified and collated, it is integrated into AWS services, particularly in AWS WAF. Here’s how this integration works:

• Managed Rules: AWS WAF offers managed rules based on threat intelligence, which can be activated to protect your applications automatically.

• Customization: Users can customize rules to better reflect their specific security needs. This allows tailoring of security measures based on:

  • Application type
  • User traffic patterns
  • Known vulnerabilities

Step 3: Configure AWS WAF with Managed Rules

To set up AWS WAF using managed rules, follow these steps:

1. Access the AWS Management Console:

   • Log in to your AWS account.
   • Navigate to the WAF & Shield service.

2. Create a Web ACL:

   • Click on "Create web ACL."
   • Provide a name and description for your Web ACL.

3. Add Managed Rules:

   • In the rules configuration section, select “Add managed rule groups.”
   • Choose the relevant managed rule groups based on your threat intelligence needs.

4. Set Default Action:

   • Decide whether to allow or block requests that do not match any rules.

5. Review and Create:

   • Review your configuration and click “Create web ACL.”

Step 4: Monitor and Adjust Security Posture

After implementing AWS WAF with managed rules, continuous monitoring is essential:

• Logging and Metrics: Enable logging for your Web ACL to track traffic and rule effectiveness.

• Adjust Rules: Regularly review and adjust your managed rules based on:

  • New threats
  • Changes in application usage
  • Performance metrics

• Stay Informed: Keep up with updates from AWS regarding new managed rules or changes in threat intelligence sources.

Conclusion

By effectively integrating AWS threat intelligence into managed firewall rules, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture. Regular monitoring and customization of AWS WAF settings help adapt to new threats. For further exploration, consider diving into AWS best practices for security and compliance or exploring additional AWS security services to complement your setup.