Cloud Security Interview Questions.

What is patch management in AWS ? 

Patch management in AWS refers to the process of identifying, testing, and applying software updates and security patches to instances and other resources running in the AWS environment. This can include updates to the operating system, application software, and other system components that are critical for maintaining the security and stability of the environment. AWS provides several tools and services to help with patch management, such as AWS Systems Manager, AWS Auto Scaling, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk, that enable customers to automate the process of identifying and applying updates. Additionally, AWS also provides patch baselines which allows customers to specify which patches should be applied to their instances, and when. This helps customers to ensure that their instances are always up-to-date with the latest security patches and other updates.

Cors and CSP ?

CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) and CSP (Content Security Policy) are two web security mechanisms that are used to help prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) and other types of code injection attacks.

CORS is a mechanism that allows web pages from one origin (domain) to access resources from another origin. It works by sending additional headers with HTTP requests and responses, which indicate which origins are allowed to access the resources. This allows web pages to access resources from other domains, but only if the server hosting the resources explicitly allows it. CORS is typically used to allow web pages to make cross-origin requests to APIs and other types of web services.

CSP, on the other hand, is a mechanism that allows web pages to specify which types of content are allowed to be loaded on the page. It works by sending additional headers with HTTP responses, which indicate which types of content are allowed to be loaded and executed by the browser. This includes things like scripts, images, and stylesheets. CSP can also be used to specify which sources are allowed to be loaded and executed, such as specific domains, IP addresses, or data: URIs. This allows web pages to restrict which types of content are allowed to be loaded on the page, which can help prevent XSS and other types of code injection attacks.

Both CORS and CSP are important mechanisms for helping to secure web applications and protect users from malicious attacks.

What is database security? 

Database security refers to the various measures and techniques that are used to protect a database from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This can include measures such as authentication and access control, encryption, and monitoring and auditing. It also includes disaster recovery planning, backup and recovery, and incident response. The goal of database security is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data stored in the database.

What is data security ?

Data security refers to the protection of sensitive or confidential information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This can include measures such as encryption, access controls, and monitoring and auditing. Data security also encompasses the procedures and processes for ensuring the integrity, availability and confidentiality of data, as well as compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. It is a critical aspect of overall security for organizations that handle sensitive or confidential information, and can include both physical and cyber security measures.

Three tier architecture in cloud security ?

A three-tier architecture in cloud security refers to the practice of dividing the security of a cloud environment into three distinct layers or tiers, each with a specific focus and set of responsibilities.

The first tier, or the foundation tier, is focused on the underlying infrastructure of the cloud environment. This includes the physical security of data centers, network security, and access controls to ensure that only authorized users can access the resources.

The second tier, or the platform tier, is focused on the security of the cloud platform itself. This includes securing the cloud infrastructure and services, such as virtualization, storage, and networking. It also includes securing the management and orchestration tools used to manage the cloud environment.

The third tier, or the application tier, is focused on the security of the applications and services running in the cloud. This includes securing the application code and data, as well as the runtime environment in which the applications are running. This tier also include security measures like application firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and vulnerability management.

By dividing security into these three distinct layers, organizations can better focus their security efforts and resources on the areas of the cloud environment that are most critical to their specific needs and risk profile.

Difference between Transparent data encryption (TDE) and  Application level encryption ? 

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and Application-level Encryption are both methods of encrypting data, but they work at different levels and have different use cases.

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is a type of encryption that is applied at the database level. It encrypts the entire database, including data, indexes, and log files. TDE encrypts the data at rest, meaning that the data is encrypted while it is stored on disk, and decrypted when it is accessed. TDE encrypts the data in a way that is transparent to the applications that are using the database. This means that the applications do not need to be aware of the encryption or make any changes to the way they access the data. TDE is often used to encrypt sensitive data stored in databases, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and personal health information.

On the other hand, Application-level Encryption is a type of encryption that is applied at the application level. It encrypts specific fields or columns of data within the application, rather than the entire database. The data is encrypted before it is stored in the database and decrypted when it is accessed by the application. It is the application that is responsible for managing the encryption and decryption keys, and this encryption is done in a way that is visible to the application. Application-level encryption is often used when the data in the database is not sensitive enough to warrant the use of TDE, but still needs to be encrypted to meet compliance requirements or to protect against certain types of attacks.

In summary, TDE encrypts the data at the database level and is transparent to the application, while Application-level encryption encrypts the data at the application level, and the application is aware of the encryption.

Application layer encryption is a data-security solution that encrypts nearly any type of data passing through an application. When encryption occurs at this level, data is encrypted across multiple (including disk, file, and database) layers.

What's the difference in the command prompt between ipconfig and ipconfig /all?

The command "ipconfig" and "ipconfig /all" are used in the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) to display the current network configuration of the computer.

The command "ipconfig" alone, will display the basic IP configuration information such as IP address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway of the active network interfaces. It will only show the IPV4 addresses.

On the other hand, "ipconfig /all" will display the same information as "ipconfig" but with additional details such as the MAC address, DHCP server IP, DNS server IP, and other advanced information about the network interfaces. It also shows IPV6 addresses along with IPV4.

In summary, "ipconfig" will display a basic summary of the IP configuration of the active network interfaces, while "ipconfig /all" will display more detailed and complete information about the network interfaces and their configurations.

What is perimeter firewall ?

A perimeter firewall is a network security system that is placed at the edge of an organization's network to protect it from unauthorized access. It acts as the first line of defense against external threats and helps to prevent malicious traffic from entering the network. The perimeter firewall inspects incoming traffic, such as internet requests, and only allows authorized traffic to pass through to the internal network. The main purpose of a perimeter firewall is to create a secure boundary between the internal network and the Internet, providing an additional layer of security for sensitive information and systems. It helps to prevent unauthorized access, data theft, and cyber attacks by controlling the flow of traffic into and out of the network.