Cloud Security Engineers – Identity & Access Management, Vault, Cloud & Kubernetes

As a Cloud Security Engineer specializing in Identity & Access Management, you'll be responsible for implementing and maintaining security protocols across various cloud platforms, including Azure and AWS. Your role involves leveraging tools like Open Policy Agent and HashiCorp Vault, managing IAM policies 'as code', and ensuring compliance with Zero Trust architectures. You'll also analyze environments for security challenges and work collaboratively to develop and implement effective solutions.

To be considered for the Cloud Security Engineer role, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in IT, Cybersecurity, or a related field along with a minimum of 5 years of information security experience. You should have in-depth knowledge of cloud IAM systems, Kubernetes RBAC implementation, and risk management strategies, as well as relevant certifications like CIMP, CIAM, or CISSP.

In this Cloud Security Engineer role, familiarity with tools like Microsoft EntraID, Azure AD, HashiCorp Vault, and Cyberark is essential. Additionally, hands-on experience with policy engines like Open Policy Agent and AWS Cedar will significantly enhance your contributions. Knowledge of infrastructure as code tools like Terraform and Ansible is also a plus.

The Cloud Security Engineer plays a crucial role in strengthening our company's security posture by implementing security measures and monitoring compliance with best practices across all cloud services. This position involves leading incident response, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring that security frameworks like Zero Trust and least-privilege access are applied effectively within our infrastructure.

The work environment for Cloud Security Engineers at our company is collaborative and fast-paced. You'll be working with a team of skilled professionals in an agile setting, where problem-solving and innovation are encouraged. We value a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing, with opportunities to engage in professional development and stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends.

In my previous roles, I've utilized 'as code' policies to govern IAM in cloud environments. This involves defining access control rules using tools like Terraform to ensure consistent and repeatable deployments while maintaining compliance with security standards.

I have implemented Kubernetes RBAC to dynamically manage user permissions and access to resources. I ensure that users have the minimum necessary privileges to perform their tasks, and I regularly audit these roles to maintain security compliance.

My approach to threat management involves a combination of proactive monitoring, regular vulnerability assessments, and immediate incident response protocols. I prioritize patch management and continually educate the team about emerging threat vectors to preemptively address potential vulnerabilities.

In cloud incident response, I follow a structured protocol that includes identification, containment, eradication, and recovery. I ensure that all stakeholders are informed throughout the process and conduct a post-incident review to improve our future responses.

I have successfully implemented Zero Trust architectures by focusing on strict identity verification processes and least-privilege access. This approach minimizes implicit trust within the network and ensures that every access request is authenticated, authorized, and encrypted.

Automation is vital in my workflow for enhancing efficiency and reducing manual errors, especially in managing IAM policies and security audits. I leverage tools like Ansible and Terraform to automate provisioning and configuration tasks.

To stay current in cloud security, I regularly attend industry conferences, participate in webinars, and engage with communities online. I also read whitepapers and articles from leading security firms to keep up with emerging trends and threats.

I promote team collaboration through regular meetings, shared documentation, and collaborative tools where all team members can contribute ideas and solutions. We conduct cross-training sessions to ensure everyone understands key security principles and practices.

One challenge I faced was ensuring consistent security policies across different cloud providers. To resolve this, I established standardized practices and used management tools that provide a unified overview of security policies and compliance.

I ensure compliance by aligning our security measures with industry regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. This involves continuous monitoring, regular audits, and keeping documentation that demonstrates compliance efforts to relevant stakeholders.