Practitioner Certificate in Cloud Security
From £3,460 + VAT
- SFIA
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) identifies and describes over 100 skills and 7 levels of job roles. To find out more, read What is SFIA?
To book this course, call us on 0113 220 7150 or get in touch via the form.
Overview
This NCSC Assured hands-on (25+ labs) five-day vendor agnostic Practitioner Certificate in Cloud Security course is focused on Cloud Security, encompassing Cloud Security Architecture, Cloud Security Testing, Identity & Access Management, DevSecOps, Cloud Data Security, Cloud Assurance, Governance, Cloud Security Operations and Web Application Security, and Zero Trust in the Cloud and Cloud Supply chain.
The course spans cloud security principles, patterns and architectural frameworks, data protection and compliance for the three major cloud providers, cloud-based applications, data and infrastructure, and the design, development and implementation of cloud security architectures. This course that will expose you to a variety of cloud security and assurance aspects across the 3 big cloud computing platforms - AWS, Azure and GCP. It has been specifically blended with 25+ of the most up to date cloud security labs, from our QA Group platform. Learners will have 1 month access to the QA Group platform as part of the course.
We will review the wide range of technical security controls available using Cloud Service Provider and partner technologies, automation and DevSecOps, Kubernetes auditing, assurance, audit, and security testing of cloud-based services. Zero Trust in the cloud and cloud supply chain. Containers and serverless architectures will be introduced and their security implications reviewed. Agile DevOps methodologies will be covered and the use of a Continuous Integration Pipeline for security improvements, validation, and testing.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
CPD points can be claimed for NCSC assured training courses at the rate of 1 point per hour of training for NCSC assured training courses (up to a maximum of 15 points).
Prerequisites
There are no pre-requisites.
Target Audience
This hands-on vendor agnostic course is aimed at technical and security specialists looking to develop and operate secure applications and systems in the cloud.
Learning Outcomes
Delegates will learn about the following topics:
- Cloud Concepts
- Cloud Virtualisation
- Cloud Network Security Fundamentals
- AWS Core Services
- AWS Security Technologies
- Azure Core Services
- Azure Security and Microsoft 365
- Google Cloud Core Services
- Google Cloud Security
- Cloud Security Frameworks, Principles, Patterns and Certifications
- Container Security
- Cloud Native Computing
- Serverless Security
- Cloud Assurance
- Web Application Security
- Cloud Identity Services
- Cloud Security Services
- Automation and Continuous Integration
- DevSecOps
- Zero Trust Architecture
- Zero Trust Governance
Course Outline
Day One
Introduction
- Introductions
- Objectives of course
- Agenda
Cloud Concepts
- What is Cloud Computing?
- Why is everyone moving to the Cloud?
- Cloud computing model
- Infrastructure, Platform and Software as a Service
- Boundaries and responsibilities
- Cloud Service Providers – Gartner Magic Quadrant(s)
- Cloud reference architectures
Virtualisation
- Overview of different virtualisation technologies and types covering storage, networks and systems.
Network Security Fundamentals
- IPv4 and IPv6
- DNS
- Firewalls
- Network Address Translation
- IPSec VPN
AWS Core Services
- EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) and VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) fundamentals
- Availability zones and regions
- Internet Gateway, Elastic IPs, NAT Gateway
- VPN Gateway, DirectConnect
- VPC Peering, AWS Transit Gateway
- Security Groups, Flow Logs, NACLs and subnet routing
- Route53
- Amazon S3
Related Labs
- AWS - Introduction to Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
- AWS - Create Your First Amazon S3 Bucket
- AWS - Create Your First Amazon EC2 Instance (Windows)
- AWS - Create Your First Amazon EC2 Instance (Linux)
Knowledge Check – Quiz
- End of module knowledge check – exam style questions
Day Two
AWS Security Technologies
- AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- AWS Organizations and SSO
- AWS CloudTrail, CloudWatch, Config, Trusted Advisor
- AWS CloudFront and Shield
- AWS WAF and Firewall Manager
- AWS Certificate Manager
- AWS Key Management Service (KMS) and CloudHSM
- AWS Secrets Manager
- AWS Inspector, Macie and Guard Duty
- AWS Artifact and Audit Manager
- AWS Security Hub
- Amazon Detective
- AWS PrivateLink and VPC Endpoints
- AWS EC2 Nitro
Azure Core Services
- Azure regions and availability zones
- Azure Active Directory
- Azure AD Connect
- Azure role-based access control
- Azure Virtual Networks
- Azure Network Security Groups
- Application Security Groups
- Remote Access and VPN
- Load Balancing
- Azure Front Door
- Azure network security best practices
Azure Security Services
- Azure Key Vault
- Azure Firewall
- Azure Virtual Machine encryption
- Microsoft Antimalware for Azure Cloud Services and Virtual Machines
- Azure Policy
- Azure Security Center
- Azure Monitor, Log Analytics and Alerts
- Azure Sentinel
- Enterprise Azure architectures
Microsoft 365 and Azure AD security
- Microsoft 365 services
- Azure AD and Microsoft 365
- Microsoft 365 security
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft 365 data protection and governance
- Azure AD Conditional Access and MFA
- Azure AD Password Protection
- Azure AD Identity Protection
- Azure AD Privileged Identity Management
Google Cloud core services and Google Workspace
- Google Cloud Platform services
- Compute
- Networking
- Storage and databases
- Big Data
- GCP example architecture
- Google Workspace
- Google Workspace integration with corporate directory
- Google Cloud Fundamentals: Getting Started with GKE
Related Labs
- AWS - Detecting Malicious Web Requests With AWS Web Application Firewall
- AWS - Encrypting S3 Objects Using SSE-KMS
- Azure - Secure Your Cloud with Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Azure - Using Conditional Access Policies to Enable Microsoft Entra ID Multi-Factor Authentication
- Azure - Managing Access in Azure Using Privileged Identity Management
- Azure - Using Conditional Access Policies to Enable Azure AD Multi-Factor Authentication
- Azure - Managing Access in Azure Using Privileged Identity Management
- GCP - Create a Network Infrastructure with Google Virtual Private Cloud
- GCP - Inspecting and De-Identifying Data With Google Cloud Data Loss Prevention
Knowledge Check – Quiz
- End of module knowledge check – exam style questions
Day Three
Google Cloud Security
- Identity and Access Management
- Network Security
- VPC Service Controls
- Cloud Armor
- IAP Proxy and BeyondCorp
- Confidential and shielded VMs
- Keys and Encryption
- Certificate Services
- Secret Manager
- Logging
- Organization policy constraints
- Data Loss Prevention API
- Web Security Scanner
- Container Registry Vulnerability Scanner
- Cloud Security Command Center
- Forseti
Cloud Security Frameworks, Principles and Patterns
- Security Principles
- Separation and layers as security controls
- Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Cloud Control Matrix
- GOV.UK Cabinet Office and NCSC Cloud Security Principles
- Security Architecture Frameworks
- Security Architecture Patterns
- Cloud Security Architecture Patterns
- Trusted Cloud Initiative Reference Architecture
Data Protection and Compliance
- Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Personal Data
- UK Data Protection Act and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
- European Union (EU) Data Protection Directive
- EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- Cloud Security Alliance STAR
- PCI DSS
- AICPA SOC3
- ISO 27001
Container Security
- Concept of containers
- Docker
- Why development teams are moving to containers
- Security issues of containers
- Container security good practice
- CIS Benchmark for Docker and Docker Bench tool
- Orchestration – Kubernetes
- Security features of Kubernetes
- Orchestration – Docker Swarm
- Cloud Service Provider container platforms (AWS, Azure, Google)
- Container security solutions (Twistlock, AquaSecurity)
Cloud Native Computing
- Cloud Native Computing Foundation
- 12 Factors of a cloud-native app
- Cloud Native platform concepts
- Cloud Foundry
- Cloud Foundry security best practices
Related Labs
- GCP - Inspecting and De-Identifying Data With Google Cloud Data Loss Prevention
- Containers - Scanning Container Images for Known Vulnerabilities
- AWS - Associating AWS IAM Roles with Amazon EKS Service Accounts
Knowledge Check – Quiz
- End of module knowledge check – exam style questions
Day Four
Serverless
- Concept of ‘serverless’
- Pros and Cons
- AWS Lambda
- Step functions
- Dynamo DB
- SQS, SWS, S3
- Serverless application architecture
- Security implications
- Environment Variable encryption
- Azure Cloud Functions
- Google Cloud Functions
- Serverless Framework
Assurance
- Centre for Internet Security (CIS) Foundation Benchmarks
- Penetration tests of cloud environments
- External audit and configuration review
Web Application Security
- OWASP Top 10
- Secure Software Development Lifecycle
Cloud Identity Services
- SAML
- oAuth, oAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect
- Cloud Identity Providers
Related Labs
- AWS - Introduction to AWS Lambda
- AWS - Creating Scheduled Tasks with AWS Lambda
- AWS - Detecting EC2 Threats with Amazon GuardDuty
- Kubernetes Cluster Auditing (Optional)
- Continuously Detecting Vulnerabilities With Amazon Inspector (Optional)
- OWASP - Multiple Labs
Knowledge Check – Quiz
- End of module knowledge check – exam style questions
Day Five
Cloud Security as a Service
- Cloud Security Services
- Cloud analytics, e.g. Splunk Cloud
- Cloud security operations management, e.g. AlertLogic
Automation, DevSecOps and Continuous Integration
- Cloud service provider automation tools
- Terraform by Hashicorp
- Hardened build images
- Vault by Hashicorp
- Patching and update strategies
- DevSecOps
- Continuous Integration Pipeline
- Automated environment testing
- Jenkins
- Security issues
Related Labs
- AWS - Deploying Wordpress using AWS CloudFormation
- AWS - Static Code Analysis Within CI/CD Pipelines
Zero Trust Architecture
- Need for Zero Trust
- Zero Trust Definition & Use case
- Zero Trust Tenets, Design Principles, Pillars
- Zero Trust Architecture - Conceptual View
- Zero Trust Benefits (Technical & Business)
- CISA High-Level Zero Trust Maturity Model
- Zero Trust - Requirement in Regulatory Frameworks
Knowledge Check – Quiz
- End of module knowledge check – exam style questions
Exam
The exam is taken post class using an exam voucher code via the APMG proctor platform.
If you experience any issues, please contact the APMG technical help desk on 01494 4520450.
Duration: 60 Minutes
Questions: 50, multiple choice (4 multiple choice answers only 1 of which is correct)
Pass Mark: 50%
QA is an approved training provider for ELCAS, proud to support service leavers in their transition into the tech industry. Learn more about Elcas approved training here.
Why choose QA
- Award-winning training, top NPS scores
- Nearly 300,000 learners in 2020
- Our training experts are industry leaders
- Read more about QA
NCSC Assured Training
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
CPD points can be claimed for NCSC assured training courses at the rate of 1 point per hour of training for NCSC assured training courses (up to a maximum of 15 points).
You will be issued with the Cyber Exercise Responder digital badge, upon completing the gamified CyberFish Dojo cyber ransomware attack simulation exercise, which is included within your course as a capstone knowledge consolidation exercise.
Special Notices
Attendees are recommended to bring a smartphone or tablet upon which they can install apps: several labs use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) technologies and benefit from an app such as Google or Microsoft's 'Authenticator' app.
This course is not suited for customer sites where the use of portable electronic devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets) are restricted, as the trainer will require these to manage the cloud environment.
Related courses
Cyber Security learning paths
Want to boost your career in cyber security? Click on the roles below to see QA's learning pathways, specially designed to give you the skills to succeed.
Cyber Security for Cloud learning paths
Secure Engineering learning paths
Want to boost your career in Secure Engineering? View QA's learning pathway below, specially designed to give you the skills to succeed.
Cloud Security learning paths
Want to boost your career in Cloud Security? View QA's learning pathway below, specially designed to give you the skills to succeed.
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.
Let's talk
A member of the team will contact you within 4 working hours after submitting the form.