How Cloud-Native Architectures Reshape Security: SOC2 and Secrets Management

Written by Adam Cheriki, Co-Founder & CTO, Entro Security.

As cloud-native architectures transform business operations, they bring unique security challenges. The rapid expansion of microservices, containers, and serverless functions has increased the number of secrets, making their protection a pressing concern.

Why SOC2 Matters for Security

SOC2 (Service Organization Control Type 2) is a crucial framework that helps organizations show their dedication to high security standards, building trust with clients and partners.

Understanding SOC2 Compliance*

SOC2, created by the AICPA, is a cybersecurity standard that helps service organizations safeguard customer data. It provides assurance to customers that their providers follow strict security policies and procedures.

At the core of SOC2 are five trust criteria used to evaluate organizations:

• Security: Protects resources against unauthorized access
• Availability: Ensures systems are operational as promised
• Processing Integrity: Verifies completeness, accuracy, and authorization of data processing
• Confidentiality: Protects agreed-upon confidential information
• Privacy: Ensures personal data is handled according to the organization’s privacy policy

Of these, security is mandatory in every SOC2 assessment, while the others are optional based on the organization’s operations and customer agreements.

Types of SOC

SOC1 vs. SOC2: What’s the Difference?

While SOC1 focuses on a provider’s internal financial controls, SOC2 has a broader scope, addressing the five trust criteria. SOC2 is valuable to compliance officers, IT executives, and regulators who need assurance over an organization's data protection.

SOC2 Types: Type 1 vs. Type 2 Audits

• SOC2 Type 1 assesses security controls at a single point, reviewing the design of protections in place.
• SOC2 Type 2 reviews security over time, testing real-time effectiveness, and demonstrating how controls function.

SOC2 vs. ISO 27001

Both SOC2 and ISO 27001 provide security standards but differ in focus. ISO 27001 details a framework for creating an Information Security Management System (ISMS) with an ongoing improvement process, while SOC2 evaluates an organization's controls for a specific time period (Type 1) or over a duration (Type 2).

Why SOC2 Compliance Matters in the Age of Non-Human Identities

With the rise of cloud services and automation, non-human identities—such as service accounts, API keys, and access tokens—are proliferating. These identities drive seamless machine-to-machine communication but also introduce security risks that SOC2 compliance helps address.

Securing Secrets and Non-Human Identities

Secrets often have privileged access, making them attractive for attacks. Without visibility or monitoring, detecting and responding to incidents is difficult. SOC2 compliance provides organizations with the frameworks needed to secure these high-risk assets effectively.

SOC2 Compliance Challenges and Best Practices

SOC2 compliance in cloud environments can be complex due to the rapid changes in resources. Real-time visibility and automated monitoring are essential to maintain continuous compliance.

Best practices include:

1. Eliminate hard-coded secrets in code repositories and messaging systems.
2. Maintain an inventory of non-human identities and classify by criticality and risk.
3. Implement zero-trust principles for non-human identities, using continuous authentication based on real-time assessments.
4. Document clear policies for managing the lifecycle of secrets.
5. Integrate secrets management with incident response processes to proactively address security vulnerabilities.

SOC2 Controls and Cloud Environments

SOC2 controls vary between environments. Here’s a look at some key SOC2 controls for Kubernetes and AWS:

• Kubernetes Controls: Controls such as detecting unauthorized access attempts (CC6) and using security benchmarks for container configurations (CC7) enhance compliance.
• AWS Controls: AWS tools like Identity and Access Management (IAM), encryption with Key Management Service (KMS), and logging via CloudTrail support SOC2 compliance by securing data and tracking activity across environments.

Conclusion

SOC2 compliance requires ongoing monitoring and improvement. By prioritizing identity and secrets management, organizations can establish a secure foundation for their Kubernetes and AWS environments, enhancing both security and trust.