Infrastructure as Code Security

Infrastructure as Code Security

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) has revolutionized infrastructure management but also introduced new security challenges. IaC security tools analyze Terraform, CloudFormation, Kubernetes manifests, and other infrastructure definitions for security misconfigurations before deployment. These tools prevent common mistakes like overly permissive security groups, unencrypted storage, or missing authentication requirements from reaching production environments.

Tools like Checkov, Terrascan, and tfsec have become essential components of DevSecOps pipelines. They scan IaC files for hundreds of security policies covering cloud provider best practices, compliance requirements, and organizational standards. Integration with version control systems enables security validation on every infrastructure change. Some tools even provide automated fixes, generating corrected configurations that maintain functionality while improving security.

Policy as Code extends infrastructure security beyond scanning to active enforcement. Open Policy Agent (OPA) has emerged as the de facto standard for policy enforcement across different platforms. Teams write policies in Rego language specifying security requirements, then OPA enforces these policies wherever integrated – from Kubernetes admission control to CI/CD pipelines. This approach ensures consistent security policy enforcement regardless of deployment platform or tooling.