Overview of AWS Security Hub

AWS Security Hub is a cloud security service designed to give users a comprehensive view of their security posture across their AWS environment. It helps consolidate findings from multiple AWS security services such as Amazon GuardDuty, AWS Config, Amazon Inspector, and third-party tools into a centralized dashboard. AWS Security Hub performs automated security checks based on industry best practices, including the CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark and AWS Foundational Security Best Practices.

Key Features of AWS Security Hub

Centralized Security View:
- Aggregates security findings from various AWS services and partner products into a single, comprehensive dashboard.
Automated Compliance Checks:
- Runs automated, continuous checks against industry security standards like the CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark and PCI DSS.
Integrated Findings:
- Consolidates findings from multiple AWS services (e.g., GuardDuty, Inspector, Macie) and third-party tools into a unified view.
Cross-Account Aggregation:
- Allows centralized management of security findings across multiple AWS accounts using AWS Organizations.
Security Standards:
- Provides support for multiple security standards, including CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark, AWS Foundational Security Best Practices, and PCI DSS.
Custom Actions:
- Define and trigger custom actions (e.g., Lambda functions) in response to security findings to automate workflows.
Seamless Integration:
- Easily integrates with AWS services like Amazon GuardDuty, AWS Config, AWS Inspector, and third-party security providers.

Step-by-Step Setup of AWS Security Hub

Below is a detailed guide to setting up AWS Security Hub and running security checks.

Step 1: Access the AWS Management Console

Log in to the AWS Management Console.
In the Services menu, under the Security, Identity, & Compliance section, select Security Hub.

Step 2: Enable AWS Security Hub

On the Security Hub dashboard, click on Get Started.
Review the features and click Enable Security Hub.
Security Hub will now start to collect data from AWS services like Amazon GuardDuty, AWS Config, and Amazon Inspector.

Step 3: Enable Security Standards

After enabling Security Hub, you will be prompted to enable security standards.
Select from the available standards, such as:
- CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark
- AWS Foundational Security Best Practices
- PCI DSS 3.2.1 (if applicable to your environment)

You can enable or disable standards at any time by navigating to the Security Standards section.

Click Enable to begin running security checks against the selected standards. Security Hub will start gathering findings and performing assessments based on these standards.

Step 4: View Security Findings

In the Findings section of the Security Hub dashboard, you'll find a consolidated list of security issues or recommendations from the various integrated AWS services.
Filter Findings: You can filter findings based on severity, compliance status, or the security service that generated them (e.g., GuardDuty, Inspector).
Each finding includes detailed information, including:
- Resource details (e.g., EC2 instance ID, S3 bucket name)
- Remediation recommendations
- Compliance status (pass/fail)

Step 5: Integrate with AWS Services and Third-Party Tools

AWS Integrations:
- Security Hub automatically integrates with services like Amazon GuardDuty, AWS Config, Amazon Macie, and AWS Inspector.
- These services will send their findings to Security Hub, where they will be consolidated and prioritized.
Third-Party Tools:
- You can also integrate third-party security products such as CrowdStrike, Splunk, or Palo Alto Networks.
- To set up third-party integrations, go to the Integrations section in the Security Hub dashboard and follow the prompts to connect third-party tools.

Step 6: Configure Security Hub Across Multiple Accounts (Optional)

If you have multiple AWS accounts, you can centralize findings from all accounts into a master account for easier management.

Master Account Setup:
- In your master AWS account, navigate to Security Hub > Settings.
- Under the Accounts tab, click on Invite accounts.
- Enter the account numbers of the accounts you want to manage centrally.
Member Accounts Setup:
- For each member account, navigate to Security Hub.
- Accept the invite from the master account to begin consolidating findings.

Step 7: Set Up Automated Responses with Custom Actions

AWS Security Hub allows you to automate remediation workflows by integrating with AWS Lambda, Amazon SNS, and Amazon CloudWatch Events.

Create Custom Actions:
- In the Security Hub dashboard, go to Settings > Custom Actions.
- Click Create custom action and provide a name and description for the action (e.g., "Send SNS alert for critical findings").
Configure Action Trigger:
- Go to Findings and select the finding you want to associate with the action.
- Choose Actions and select the custom action you created.
Set Up CloudWatch Events:
- In CloudWatch Events, you can create a rule that triggers a custom action in response to specific findings.
- This could involve invoking a Lambda function to remediate the issue automatically or sending an alert to your security team via Amazon SNS.

Step 8: Monitor and Optimize Security Posture

Security Hub Dashboard:
- Continuously monitor the Security Hub dashboard to view ongoing findings and trends. The dashboard provides an overview of your overall security posture, highlighting critical and high-priority findings.
Compliance Reporting:
- In the Security Standards section, review your compliance status against the CIS benchmarks and other enabled standards. This report can help identify areas that need attention.
Fine-Tune:
- Adjust security controls or workflows based on findings. For example, update IAM policies, S3 bucket permissions, or EC2 security group rules to address specific issues highlighted by Security Hub.

Step 9: Disable AWS Security Hub (Optional)

If you ever need to disable Security Hub, you can do so via the Settings menu:

Navigate to Security Hub > Settings.
Under the General tab, click Disable Security Hub.
Confirm that you want to disable the service, and Security Hub will stop collecting and reporting findings.

Conclusion

AWS Security Hub simplifies security management by centralizing findings from multiple services, allowing for better visibility into your AWS environment’s security posture. Its automated checks and seamless integration with other AWS services help maintain compliance and proactively address potential vulnerabilities. By following the step-by-step setup process, you can leverage Security Hub to enhance the security of your AWS resources efficiently.

Getting Started with AWS Security Hub: A Step-by-Step Setup Guide