Cloud Security Principle 1: Data in transit protection
User data transiting networks should be adequately protected against tampering and eavesdropping.
Cloud Security Principle 2: Asset protection and resilience
User data, and the assets storing or processing it, should be protected against physical tampering, loss, damage or seizure.
Cloud Security Principle 3: Separation between users
A malicious or compromised user of the service should not be able to affect the service or data of another.
Cloud Security Principle 4: Governance framework
The service provider should have a security governance framework which coordinates and directs its management of the service and information within it. Any technical controls deployed outside of this framework will be fundamentally undermined.
Cloud Security Principle 5: Operational security
The service needs to be operated and managed securely in order to impede, detect or prevent attacks. Good operational security should not require complex, bureaucratic, time consuming or expensive processes.
Cloud Security Principle 6: Personnel security
Where service provider personnel have access to your data and systems you need a high degree of confidence in their trustworthiness. Thorough screening, supported by adequate training, reduces the likelihood of accidental or malicious compromise by service provider personnel.
Cloud Security Principle 7: Secure development
Services should be designed and developed to identify and mitigate threats to their security. Those which aren’t may be vulnerable to security issues which could compromise your data, cause loss of service or enable other malicious activity.
Cloud Security Principle 8: Supply chain security
The service provider should ensure that its supply chain satisfactorily supports all of the security principles which the service claims to implement.
Cloud Security Principle 9: Secure user management
Your provider should make the tools available for you to securely manage your use of their service. Management interfaces and procedures are a vital part of the security barrier, preventing unauthorised access and alteration of your resources, applications and data.
Cloud Security Principle 10: Identity and authentication
All access to service interfaces should be constrained to authenticated and authorised individuals.
Cloud Security Principle 11: External interface protection
All external or less trusted interfaces of the service should be identified and appropriately defended.
Cloud Security Principle 12: Secure service administration
Systems used for administration of a cloud service will have highly privileged access to that service. Their compromise would have significant impact, including the means to bypass security controls and steal or manipulate large volumes of data.
Cloud Security Principle 13: Audit information for users
You should be provided with the audit records needed to monitor access to your service and the data held within it. The type of audit information available to you will have a direct impact on your ability to detect and respond to inappropriate or malicious activity within reasonable timescales.
Cloud Security Principle 14: Secure use of the service
The security of cloud services and the data held within them can be undermined if you use the service poorly. Consequently, you will have certain responsibilities when using the service in order for your data to be adequately protected.
Source: NCSC
