Implementing a Centralised Zero-Trust Identity Framework with Senior Internet
Client
Senior Internet
Industry
Technology Company
Location
United Kingdom
AWS CloudTrail
AWS Single Sign-On
AWS Security Hub
AWS IAM
Overview
Cecure Intelligence Limited (CIL) modernised Senior Internet's multi-account AWS environment by implementing centralised identity management. The initiative strengthened access controls and established a scalable zero-trust security framework.
The Challenge
As Senior Internet's AWS environment grew across multiple accounts, the organisation faced challenges maintaining a consistent security posture. The use of fragmented IAM users and long-lived credentials increased the risk of credential misuse, unauthorised access, and reduced visibility into privileged activities.
Three (3) Security Customisations
1. Automated Identity Synchronisation Pipeline: To remove manual user management and reduce human error, CIL built an automated sync between the company’s corporate directory and the cloud environment. This ensures user accounts are continuously updated, so any change in employment status automatically updates or removes cloud access in real time.
2. Role-Based Access Controls: To fix excessive access issues, CIL implemented role-based permission sets. Access is now assigned based on job roles such as administrators, developers, and read-only users. This ensures users only have the permissions they need, reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorised changes.
3. Cross-Environment Access Isolation: CIL introduced strict separation between different cloud environments and departments. Each user group is restricted to specific accounts, preventing access from spilling across environments. This limits the impact of any compromised credentials and protects critical production systems.
2. Role-Based Access Controls: To fix excessive access issues, CIL implemented role-based permission sets. Access is now assigned based on job roles such as administrators, developers, and read-only users. This ensures users only have the permissions they need, reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorised changes.
3. Cross-Environment Access Isolation: CIL introduced strict separation between different cloud environments and departments. Each user group is restricted to specific accounts, preventing access from spilling across environments. This limits the impact of any compromised credentials and protects critical production systems.
Leveraging AWS Native Security Controls
1. AWS Single Sign-On (IAM Identity Centre): Serves as the central multi-account login gateway, giving employees a single secure portal to access assigned accounts.
2. AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM): Enforces role boundaries and eliminates old-school, static user profiles across the organisation.
3. AWS CloudTrail: Records all login attempts and permission changes, giving the security team a foolproof audit log of user activity.
4. Amazon CloudWatch: Keeps a close eye on cross-account user log patterns, tracking system anomalies to detect unauthorised access attempts instantly.
5. AWS Security Hub: Provides an easy-to-read compliance dashboard to monitor identity security metrics across all connected accounts.
2. AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM): Enforces role boundaries and eliminates old-school, static user profiles across the organisation.
3. AWS CloudTrail: Records all login attempts and permission changes, giving the security team a foolproof audit log of user activity.
4. Amazon CloudWatch: Keeps a close eye on cross-account user log patterns, tracking system anomalies to detect unauthorised access attempts instantly.
5. AWS Security Hub: Provides an easy-to-read compliance dashboard to monitor identity security metrics across all connected accounts.
Exceeding AWS Best Practices
1. Hands-Free Identity Automation: CIL implemented a fully automated identity sync between the corporate directory and AWS. User access is updated instantly across all accounts without manual intervention in the cloud.
2. Short-Lived Access Tokens: Long-lived admin sessions were removed and replaced with temporary, short-lived login tokens. This reduces the risk of stolen credentials being reused, as access automatically expires quickly.
2. Short-Lived Access Tokens: Long-lived admin sessions were removed and replaced with temporary, short-lived login tokens. This reduces the risk of stolen credentials being reused, as access automatically expires quickly.
Process and People Transformation
1. All user access is now controlled directly through corporate directory groups, making onboarding, updates, and offboarding fast and consistent.
2. Users now use a secure single login instead of multiple passwords, improving security and usability.
2. Users now use a secure single login instead of multiple passwords, improving security and usability.
The Result
CIL’s comprehensive execution established a resilient, modern security footprint that optimised Senior Internet's operations:
1. Replaced static IAM users with federated, short-lived credentials.
2. Real-time user syncing is active via continuous cross-domain directory integration.
3. Total control is achieved by tightly locking directory groups to specific corporate functions.
1. Replaced static IAM users with federated, short-lived credentials.
2. Real-time user syncing is active via continuous cross-domain directory integration.
3. Total control is achieved by tightly locking directory groups to specific corporate functions.
Meet a few of our clients
Cecure Intelligence Limited is trusted by the most innovative and tech-forward companies who focus on customer experience without compromising on business goals.
Vodafone Group
Outscope IT
GBG PLC
Bank of Ireland
Vantage Towers
Jously
Leika Microsystems
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