What Is Cloud Security and Cloud Services Penetration Testing?

Cloud computing technologies enable organizations to run their applications, data, and workloads on platforms that offer greater flexibility, scalability, and high availability. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and other cloud service providers now constitute a significant portion of enterprise infrastructure.

Cloud Security and Cloud Services Penetration Testing (Cloud Security Assessment & Cloud Penetration Test) is a comprehensive security test conducted to evaluate the security level of servers, virtual networks, identity management infrastructures, storage services, container platforms, and cloud-based applications running in cloud environments.

During the testing process, not only systems exposed to the internet but also IAM (Identity and Access Management) policies, virtual network (VPC/VNet) configurations, storage services, Kubernetes clusters, container infrastructures, serverless (serverless) services, API services, security groups, and the security configurations of cloud service providers are analyzed using real-world attacker techniques.

SecureSys Cloud Security Tests are conducted in accordance with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), NIST SP 800-53, CIS Benchmarks, MITRE ATT&CK, OWASP Cloud Security, Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), and ISO/IEC 27017 standards.

Why Should a Cloud Security Test Be Performed?

Cloud environments have become prime targets for attackers due to misconfigurations and flawed access policies. Exposed storage areas, users with excessive privileges, misconfigured security groups, or weak IAM policies can lead to data breaches and the compromise of critical systems.

Cloud security testing allows the following risks to be identified in advance:

Incorrect IAM configurations
Unauthorized access
Exposed storage services
Credential leaks
Incorrect Security Group rules
Kubernetes security vulnerabilities
Container escape risks
API vulnerabilities
Incorrect network segmentation
Data Leaks
Misuse of cloud services
Regulatory and compliance deficiencies

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is a modern infrastructure model that enables computing resources to be delivered as a service over the internet. Organizations can benefit from computing power, storage, databases, networking, and security services without having to invest in physical hardware.

Main service models:

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Virtual Machines
Storage Services
Virtual Networks
Firewall
Load Balancer

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

Web Application Platforms
Database Services
API Platforms
Application Services

SaaS (Software as a Service)

Microsoft 365
Google Workspace
Salesforce
ServiceNow
Dynamics 365

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Security Test

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the world’s most widely used cloud platforms. Misconfigurations in AWS environments, over-privileged IAM users, exposed S3 buckets, and flawed network security rules can lead to serious data breaches.

As part of SecureSys AWS Security Testing, not only systems exposed to the internet but also the security architecture of the AWS account are comprehensively analyzed.

AWS Services Tested

Amazon EC2
Amazon S3
Amazon RDS
Amazon EKS
Amazon ECS
AWS Lambda
Amazon API Gateway
Amazon CloudFront
Amazon Route 53
AWS IAM
AWS Organizations
AWS Secrets Manager
AWS Systems Manager
Amazon VPC
AWS WAF
AWS Shield

Microsoft Azure Security Test

Microsoft Azure is one of the most preferred platforms for enterprise applications and hybrid cloud architectures.

In Azure environments, misconfigured access policies, exposed Storage Accounts, Azure Active Directory (Microsoft Entra ID) configuration errors, and weak RBAC policies can pose critical security risks for organizations.

Azure Services Tested

Azure Virtual Machine
Azure Storage
Azure SQL
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Azure Functions
Azure App Service
Azure Key Vault
Microsoft Entra ID
Azure Virtual Network
Azure Firewall
Azure FrontDoor
Azure Security Center
Azure Defender
Azure API Management

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Security Assessment

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is widely used in modern applications thanks to its scalable infrastructure and container technologies.

As part of SecureSysGCP Security Testing:

Google Compute Engine
Google Cloud Storage
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
Cloud Functions
Cloud Run
Cloud SQL
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
VPC
Cloud Armor
Secret Manager

Security controls are implemented for services such as these.

IAM (Identity and Access Management) Security

Identity and access management forms the foundation of cloud security.

Improperly configured IAM policies can allow attackers to gain administrative privileges or access sensitive data.

SecureSys performs the following checks.

Least Privilege Analysis
IAM Policy Review
IAM Role Analysis
Cross-Account Access
Service Account Analysis
MFA Checks
Root Account Security
Temporary Credential Analysis
Access Key Management

Cloud IAM Privilege Escalation

One of the techniques most commonly used by attackers in cloud environments is privilege escalation by exploiting incorrect IAM configurations.

The following scenarios are evaluated in SecureSystests:

IAM Policy Abuse
AssumeRole Abuse
PassRolePermissions
ServiceAccountPermissions
Azure RBAC Escalation
GCP IAM Escalation
Cross-Account Trust
Conditional Policy Bypass

S3 Bucket and Blob Storage Security

Cloud storage services are one of the areas where data breaches occur most frequently.

Improperly configured storage areas can become exposed to the internet, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Services analyzed:

AWS

S3 Bucket
BucketPolicy
BucketACL
PublicAccess
Encryption

Azure

Blob Storage
StorageAccount
SASToken
Storage Firewall

GCP

Cloud Storage Bucket
IAM Bucket Policy
Public Object Access

Kubernetes (K8s) Security Test

Kubernetes is the most widely used orchestration platform for managing container-based applications.

Improperly configured Kubernetes clusters can lead to the compromise of the entire application infrastructure.

In SecureSystests:

Kubernetes API Server
RBAC
Pod Security
Admission Controller
Namespace Security
Network Policy
Secret Management
Etcd Security
Node Security
Kubelet Security

is being analyzed.

Docker and Container Security

While container technologies enable rapid application deployment, they can pose serious security risks if misconfigured.

Key controls tested:

Docker Daemon
Docker Socket
ContainerEscape
Image Security
Registry Security
Runtime Security
Container Privileges
Root Container Analysis
Image Vulnerability Assessment

Serverless Security

Applications running in serverless architectures pose different risks than those associated with traditional server security.

SecureSys performs security assessments on the following services.

AWS Lambda
Azure Functions
Google Cloud Functions
Cloud Run

Topics analyzed:

IAM Permissions
Environment Variables
Secret Management
API Security
Event Trigger Analysis
Logging
Runtime Security

Cloud Network Security

If the network architecture in the cloud environment is misconfigured, it can make it easier for attackers to move between systems.

Key components analyzed:

AWS VPC
Azure VNet
GCP VPC
RouteTable
Network ACL
Private Subnet
Public Subnet
VPN Gateway
Transit Gateway
Peering

Security Group and Firewall Analysis

Security Group and firewall rules are among the most critical configurations in cloud security.

In SecureSystests:

Security Group
NSG (Azure)
Firewall Rules
Network ACL
Inbound Rules
Outbound Rules
Any/Any Policy
Public Exposure

is being monitored.

Cloud Configuration Review (CIS Benchmark)

Security assessments conducted in cloud environments examine not only technical attacks but also configuration standards.

SecureSys;

CIS AWS Benchmark
CIS AzureBenchmark
CIS GCP Benchmark
CIS Kubernetes Benchmark
CIS Docker Benchmark

performs these checks.

Kubernetes RBAC and Secrets Security

If Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is misconfigured in Kubernetes clusters, users or service accounts may have more permissions than necessary.

Tested topics:

Cluster Admin
RoleBinding
Cluster Role
Service Account
Secret Management
ConfigMap
Kubernetes Secrets
Token Security

DevSecOps and CI/CD Pipeline Security

In modern software development processes, integrating security into the software lifecycle is of critical importance.

SecureSys can perform security assessments on the following platforms.

GitHub Actions
GitLab CI/CD
Azure DevOps
Jenkins
ArgoCD
Terraform
Ansible

Topics covered:

Secret Management
Pipeline Security
Code Signing
Artifact Security
Authentication
Supply Chain Security

Cloud Logging and Monitoring

Proper configuration of logging and monitoring mechanisms is critical for the early detection of security incidents in cloud environments.

Services evaluated:

AWS CloudTrail
Amazon CloudWatch
Azure Monitor
Microsoft Sentinel
GCP Cloud Logging
Security Hub
Defender for Cloud

MITRE ATT&CK Cloud

SecureSys Cloud Security Tests are conducted in accordance with the MITRE ATT&CK Framework.

Key techniques assessed:

InitialAccess
CredentialAccess
Privilege Escalation
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
Exfiltration
Defense Evasion
Persistence
Impact

This approach allows us to analyze not only configuration errors but also attack chains that real attackers could use in cloud environments.

How Does the Cloud Security Testing Process Work?

SecureSys Cloud Security Tests are conducted in accordance with cloud service providers’ security policies, without affecting operational continuity, and using controlled test scenarios. The testing process is designed to assess the security posture of the cloud infrastructure, identify misconfigurations, and validate potential risks using real-world attacker techniques.

1. Scope Definition and Planning

In the first phase of the testing process, the scope of the cloud environment is defined. Which subscriptions, accounts, regions, virtual networks, applications, and services will be evaluated is planned in collaboration with the customer.

In this phase:

Cloud Accounts (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Subscription and Organization Structures
Services to Be Tested
Application and API Inventory
Critical Systems
Authorized Users
Test Schedule
Authorization Process

is determined.

2. Creation of the Cloud Inventory

All resources in the cloud environment are analyzed to prepare an inventory that will serve as the basis for the security assessment.

Key components examined:

Virtual Servers (Virtual Machines)
Container Platforms
Kubernetes Clusters
Storage Services
Databases
API Gateways
Serverless Services
Virtual Networks
Security Groups
Load Balancers
DNS Services

3. IAM and Identity Management Analysis

Identity and access management (IAM) is one of the most critical components of cloud security. In this phase, users, roles, service accounts, and access policies are analyzed in detail.

Key controls evaluated:

IAM Users
IAM Roles
RBAC Policies
MFA Configurations
Service Accounts
API Keys
Access Key Management
Principle of Least Privilege
Privilege Escalation Risks

4. Review of Network and Security Configurations

Cloud network architecture and security configurations are evaluated to analyze internet-facing services, misconfigured security groups, and network segmentation.

Key areas reviewed:

VPC/VNet Structures
Security Group Rules
Network ACL
Firewall Policies
Public and Private Subnet Architectures
VPN and Hybrid Cloud Connections
Load Balancer Configurations
DNS and Routing Configurations

5. Security Assessment of Storage Services

In analyses conducted on cloud storage services, data access policies and misconfigurations are checked.

Services tested:

Amazon S3
Azure Blob Storage
Google Cloud Storage
File Storage
Snapshot and Backup Structures
Encryption
Public Access Controls
Bucket and Container Policies

6. Kubernetes and Container Security Analysis

Container-based applications and Kubernetes clusters are comprehensively evaluated from a security perspective.

Topics analyzed:

Kubernetes RBAC
Pod Security
Network Policies
Container Image Security
Secret Management
Service Account Permissions
Admission Controller
Runtime Security
Container Escape Risks

7. Testing APIs and Serverless Services

API services and serverless architectures running in the cloud are tested using real-world attack scenarios.

Key areas assessed:

REST API Security
API Gateway Configurations
OAuth and JWT Checks
AWS Lambda
Azure Functions
Google Cloud Functions
Event Trigger Structures
Secret and Environment Variable Security

8. Review of Security Configurations Based on CIS Benchmarks

The cloud infrastructure is evaluated for compliance with international security standards.

Primary standards referenced:

CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark
CIS Microsoft Azure Benchmark
CIS Google Cloud Benchmark
CIS Kubernetes Benchmark
CIS Docker Benchmark

Misconfigurations and security vulnerabilities are reported in detail.

9. Simulation of Attack Scenarios Using MITRE ATT&CK Techniques

Controlled attack scenarios based on real-world attacker behavior are executed to verify the effectiveness of security controls.

Techniques evaluated:

InitialAccess
PrivilegeEscalation
CredentialAccess
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Persistence
Defense Evasion
Collection
Exfiltration
Impact

10. Risk Assessment

All findings obtained at the end of the testing process are evaluated based on their technical and operational impacts.

Each finding;

Risk Level
Impact Analysis
Probability of Occurrence
Impact on Business Continuity
Data Security Risk
Priority Level

classified according to these criteria.

11. Preparation of Technical and Management Reports

At the end of the test, comprehensive reports are prepared for both technical teams and senior management.

Management Report

Overall Security Status
Critical Risks
Business Impact Analysis
Priority Areas for Improvement
Executive Summary

Technical Report

Identified Security Vulnerabilities
Affected Cloud Services
Proof-of-Concept
Risk Assessment
CVSS Scores
Mitigation Recommendations
Secure Configuration Recommendations

12. Mitigation Recommendations and Retest

After the reported findings have been addressed, a verification (Retest) is conducted upon request.

As part of the retest:

The improvements made are verified.
The effectiveness of security controls is retested.
It is verified that vulnerabilities have been resolved.
The current security status is reported.

Why SecureSys?

Cloud security is not limited to testing virtual servers exposed to the internet. A true cloud security assessment requires the joint analysis of identity and access management (IAM), network architecture, storage services, container platforms, Kubernetes clusters, DevSecOps processes, and cloud provider-specific security configurations.

At SecureSys, we conduct comprehensive security assessments in multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, primarily on AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Our tests are conducted in accordance with international standards such as MITRE ATT&CK, CIS Benchmarks, the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), NIST, and ISO/IEC 27017; they identify not only existing security vulnerabilities but also potential attack vectors that attackers could exploit.

The SecureSys Difference

Expert penetration testing services in accordance with TSE TS 13638
AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform security assessments
IAM, RBAC, and privilege escalation analyses
Expertise in Kubernetes, Docker, and container security
Cloud Configuration Review and CIS Benchmark assessments
DevSecOps and CI/CD pipeline security testing
MITRE ATT&CK-based attack scenarios
Comprehensive reporting at both the technical and managerial levels
Risk prioritization, actionable remediation recommendations, and retest support

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Cloud Security and Cloud Services Penetration Testing Service