Cloud Security Alliance Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)
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Cloud Security Alliance Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)

What Is Cloud Security Alliance Cloud Controls Matrix

Your cloud solution company’s prospective customers need assurance that your information security control environment is managed in a way that meets their security requirements. The Cloud Security Alliance Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) is specifically designed to provide fundamental security principles to guide cloud vendors and to assist prospective cloud customers in assessing the overall security risk of a cloud provider. It is cross-walked to several other industry-accepted standards, regulations, and control frameworks to simplify audits. 

According to the Cloud Security Alliance, the Cloud Controls Matrix provides fundamental security principles to guide cloud vendors and assist potential cloud customers in assessing the overall security risk of a cloud provider. Organizations implement the CCM as a way to strengthen their existing information security control environments. It delineates control guidance by service provider and consumer and by differentiating according to the specific cloud model type and environment. 

The CCM contains 16 control domains that are cross-walked to other industry-accepted standards, regulations, and control frameworks to simplify audits. The crosswalks include but are not limited to: ISO 27001/27002/27017/27018, NIST SP 800-53, AICPA TSC, ENISA Information Assurance Framework, German BSI C5, PCI DSS, ISACA COBIT, NERC CIP, and many others.

The latest version of CCM (v3.0) contains the following domains:

  • Application and Interface Security 
  • Audit Assurance and Compliance 
  • Business Continuity Management and Op Resilience 
  • Chance Control and Configuration Management 
  • Data Security and Information Lifecycle Management
  • Datacenter Security 
  • Encryption and Key Management 
  • Governance and Risk Management 
  • Human Resources Security 
  • Identity and Access Management 
  • Infrastructure and Virtualization 
  • Interoperability and Portability 
  • Mobile Security 
  • Threat and Vulnerability Management 
  • Supply Chain Management, Transparency, and Access
  • Security Incident Management, E-discovery, and Cloud Forensics

The Cloud Security Alliance has developed a certification program called STAR. The value-added CSA STAR certification verifies an above and beyond cloud security stance that carries weight with customers. This overachiever’s set of standards may be the best asset for customers looking to assess a vendor’s commitment to security, and it is a must for all organizations looking to cement customer trust. Further, the STAR registry documents the security and privacy controls provided by popular cloud computing offerings so cloud customers can assess their security providers to make good purchasing decisions.

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Cloud Compliance Frameworks: What You Need to Know

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Who needs to implement CSA CCM?

If you are a cloud vendor and your organization wants to conduct business with the government or any security-conscious enterprise, achieving cloud security certifications is the procurement gate. Cloud compliance frameworks like the CSA CCM provide the guidelines and structure necessary for maintaining the level of security your customers demand. 

Additionally, these frameworks will help you navigate a regulatory minefield and avoid the steep financial and reputational cost of non-compliance. Most importantly, implementing a compliance framework will allow your organization to showcase your commitment to privacy and data protection. This will keep you out of trouble with regulators and boost credibility and trust with your customers.

CCM: Frequently Asked Questions

Each domain represents a critical area of focus for cloud security and aligns with various aspects of cloud service management and assurance. The 17 domains covered under CCM are:

  1. Application & Interface Security (AIS): Focuses on securing applications and their interfaces in the cloud environment
  2. Audit Assurance & Compliance (A&A): Deals with ensuring that cloud services adhere to relevant regulatory requirements and standards
  3. Business Continuity Management & Operational Resilience (BCR): Ensures cloud services can continue to operate during and after a disruption
  4. Change Control & Configuration Management (CCC): Involves managing changes to cloud environments to prevent unauthorized modifications
  5. Cryptography, Encryption and Key Management (CEK): Focuses on protecting data through encryption and managing cryptographic keys
  6. Datacenter Security (DCS): Addresses the physical and environmental security controls necessary for cloud data centers
  7. Data Security & Privacy (DSP): Covers data protection throughout its lifecycle in the cloud, including storage, transfer, and disposal
  8. Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC): Involves the policies and processes to manage cloud risk and ensure compliance with laws and regulations
  9. Human Resources Security (HRS): Pertains to the security of the people who manage and use cloud services, including background checks and training
  10. Identity & Access Management (IAM): Manages user identities and controls access to cloud resources
  11. Infrastructure & Virtualization Security (IVS): Deals with the security of cloud infrastructure, including the hypervisor, network, and storage
  12. Interoperability & Portability (IPY): Ensures that cloud services can work together and that data and services can be easily transferred between providers
  13. Logging and Monitoring (LOG): Addresses logging and monitoring of activities within the cloud environment
  14. Security Incident Management, E-Discovery & Cloud Forensics (SEF): Covers the processes for managing security incidents, legal discovery, and forensic investigations in the cloud
  15. Supply Chain Management, Transparency & Accountability (STA): Addresses the security of the cloud provider’s supply chain, including third-party providers
  16. Threat and Vulnerability Management (TVM): Involves identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and threats in the cloud environment
  17. Universal Endpoint Management (UEM): Focuses on securing and managing all endpoints that interact with cloud services, such as desktops, mobile devices, and IoT devices

The CCM reviews a broad range of information related to cloud security practices and controls. This includes:

  • Security controls: Specific technical, administrative, and physical controls that must be implemented to secure cloud environments.
  • Compliance requirements: Legal, regulatory, and industry standards that cloud providers and consumers must adhere to
  • Risk management: Assessment of potential risks in cloud environments and the controls in place to mitigate them
  • Data protection measures: Procedures and technologies used to protect sensitive data, including encryption, data masking, and secure deletion
  • Operational processes: The processes for managing cloud operations securely, including incident response, change management, and continuous monitoring
  • Governance structures: Policies and frameworks for overseeing cloud security, ensuring accountability, and aligning cloud security with organizational objectives
  • Third-party and supply chain security: Security practices related to the cloud provider’s supply chain and any third-party services integrated into the cloud environment

The CCM is applicable to any organization involved in the use or provision of cloud services, including:

Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) 

CSPs can use the CCM to ensure that their services meet the highest security standards, protecting both their infrastructure and their customers’ data.

Enterprises using cloud services

Organizations that consume cloud services can use the CCM to assess and manage the security of the cloud services they use, ensuring that their data is protected.

Auditors and regulators

Auditors can use the CCM as a benchmark to assess the security practices of cloud service providers and users, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Security professionals

Security teams within organizations can use the CCM as a framework for designing and implementing robust cloud security practices.

Compliance officers

Compliance officers can leverage the CCM to ensure that their organizations meet relevant regulatory and legal requirements for cloud security.

The CCM model of cloud computing is a framework designed to guide organizations in securing cloud environments. The model is based on a layered approach that aligns with other cloud service models, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). The model categorizes security controls into different domains, each addressing specific aspects of cloud security, from physical infrastructure to data protection and compliance.

The CCM model is also designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing organizations to map their existing security controls to the CCM or use it as a baseline for developing new controls. It provides a comprehensive approach to cloud security, ensuring that all aspects of cloud service delivery are covered, from the underlying hardware to the user-facing applications.

CCM v4 was officially released in January 2021. This version represents a significant update from previous iterations, incorporating feedback from the global cloud security community and addressing emerging threats and challenges in cloud computing. CCM v4 includes more granular controls, a stronger focus on privacy and regulatory compliance, and improved alignment with other cybersecurity frameworks.

Achieving CCM compliance involves the following steps:

  1. Assessment: Conduct a thorough assessment of your organization’s current cloud security posture, identifying gaps and areas for improvement based on the CCM domains
  2. Mapping controls: Map existing security controls to the CCM framework, identifying which controls are already in place and which need to be developed or enhanced
  3. Implementation: Implement any necessary controls to address gaps, ensuring that all 17 domains of the CCM are covered
  4. Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of all security controls and processes, demonstrating how they align with the CCM requirements
  5. Training: Ensure that all relevant personnel are trained on the CCM framework and the specific controls your organization has implemented
  6. Continuous monitoring: Regularly monitor and review your cloud security controls to ensure they remain effective and aligned with the CCM
  7. Auditing: Engage an external auditor to verify your compliance with the CCM and provide certification if required

The CCM requirements are a set of security controls that organizations must implement to ensure their cloud environments are secure and compliant with industry standards. These requirements are organized into the 17 domains of the CCM and cover a wide range of security practices, including:

  • Data protection: Implementing encryption, access controls, and secure data handling practices
  • Access management: Ensuring that only authorized users can access cloud resources, and that their activities are monitored and controlled
  • Compliance management: Adhering to relevant legal, regulatory, and industry standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC 27001
  • Incident management: Having processes in place for detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents
  • Risk management: Identifying and mitigating risks in the cloud environment, including threats from third-party vendors and supply chain partners
  • Business continuity: Ensuring that cloud services can continue to operate during and after disruptions

CCM maps to the following frameworks: 

Hyperproof for CSA CCM Compliance

Hyperproof is a continuous compliance software solution that helps organizations implement security standards, regulations, and control frameworks efficiently and monitor their control environment on an ongoing basis. We support implementation of CSA CCM by allowing you to:

CCM

Utilize a program template that helps you put controls in place for each CCM control domain

Quickly collect evidence to document your security policies and procedures

Collaborate easily with other participants in the compliance program

Assign monitoring and remediation tasks to program participants and keep team members on track

Use dashboards to gauge progress and audit preparedness posture

Hyperproof partners with professional service firms with proven track records and deep expertise in helping organizations get CSA CCM ready. Our partners help customers design their compliance programs, build them out, and conduct readiness assessments to ensure there are no surprises when the audit occurs. If you need a referral, we’d love to talk.

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