CLOUD SECURITY AUDIT: EVALUATES THE SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE FOR CLOUD-BASED SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Strengthening Cloud Security through Effective Risk-Based Auditing and Governance
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 08 – 12 Jun 2026 | London, UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
Cloud computing has transformed IT delivery models—but it also introduces new risks and shared responsibilities that demand strong oversight. This intensive course equips IT auditors and cybersecurity professionals with the skills to assess cloud environments for compliance, data protection, access control, and vendor risk.
Participants will gain the knowledge to audit both infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployments, ensuring cloud operations are aligned with industry standards such as ISO 27017, NIST, and CSA. You’ll explore common gaps and vulnerabilities in cloud ecosystems and learn how to provide practical audit insights for your organization.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand cloud service models and associated risks
- Apply auditing techniques to assess cloud security controls
- Evaluate compliance with frameworks such as ISO 27001, ISO 27017, and NIST SP 800-53
- Examine cloud vendor contracts, SLAs, and data handling practices
- Identify control gaps and suggest risk-based mitigation strategies
- Plan and report on a comprehensive cloud security audit
Key Benefits of Attending
- Ensure your organization’s cloud environment is secure and compliant
- Learn to audit public, private, and hybrid cloud models
- Understand key cloud risks including access control, encryption, and data location
- Bridge the audit gap between on-premise and cloud environments
- Gain insight into third-party risk, contracts, and regulatory expectations
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
- IT Auditors and Security Auditors
- Cloud Security Engineers and Architects
- Risk and Compliance Officers
- IT Managers and CISOs
- Data Privacy and Governance Professionals
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
- Ability to audit cloud-based environments and services
- Strong understanding of cloud governance frameworks
- Capability to identify cloud-specific security weaknesses
- Enhanced skills in risk-based auditing and reporting
- Knowledge of vendor management and third-party assurance
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
- Stronger oversight of cloud service providers
- Enhanced data protection and compliance posture
- Reduced cloud security risks and improved business resilience
- Improved third-party contract management and SLA enforcement
- Better preparedness for audits and regulatory inspections
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
- Strategy Briefings – Deep dive into cloud models, cloud risks, and security frameworks
- Case Studies – Evaluations of real-world cloud breaches and audit failures
- Workshops – Simulations of cloud audits, risk assessments, and control evaluations
- Peer Exchange – Group discussions on audit challenges and mitigation tactics
- Tools – Templates for cloud audit planning, evidence collection, and compliance checks
Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee Breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Cloud Concepts and Audit Foundations – 07:30–15:30
- Module 1: Understanding Cloud Service Models – 07:30–09:30
IaaS, PaaS, SaaS—differences and security implications
Shared responsibility models
Key risks and control considerations for each model - Module 2: Cloud Governance and Compliance – 09:45–11:15
Overview of ISO 27017, ISO 27018, NIST SP 800-53
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) CCM framework
Regulatory compliance: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS - Module 3: Cloud Risk Landscape – 11:30–01:00
Common threats: data breaches, misconfigurations, insecure APIs
Cloud-specific risks and attack vectors
Mapping risks to controls - Module 4: Workshop – Mapping Your Cloud Risk Environment – 02:00–03:30
Group exercise to identify risks and applicable controls
Sharing risk approaches by cloud model
Day 2: Planning and Scoping Cloud Audits – 07:30–15:30
- Module 1: Cloud Audit Planning – 07:30–09:30
Setting audit objectives and boundaries
Cloud asset identification and inventory
Key stakeholders and documentation - Module 2: Cloud Control Frameworks and Checklists – 09:45–11:15
Control objectives for identity, encryption, monitoring
Customizing audit programs for hybrid environments
Creating testing procedures and evidence criteria - Module 3: Third-Party Cloud Vendor Oversight – 11:30–01:00
Reviewing contracts, SLAs, and audit rights
Assessing vendor controls and certifications (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001)
Mitigating third-party risks - Module 4: Workshop – Draft a Cloud Audit Scope – 02:00–03:30
Prepare a cloud audit scope for a chosen service
Discuss boundary-setting and priorities
Day 3: Evaluating Cloud Security Controls – 07:30–15:30
- Module 1: Access Management in the Cloud – 07:30–09:30
Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies
Role-based access and privileged accounts
MFA, SSO, and access reviews - Module 2: Data Security and Encryption – 09:45–11:15
Data at rest and in transit encryption
Key management strategies
Cloud storage and data residency concerns - Module 3: Incident Response and Monitoring – 11:30–01:00
Logging and monitoring in cloud services
Alert management and SIEM integration
Cloud provider and client responsibilities during incidents - Module 4: Workshop – Control Testing Exercise – 02:00–03:30
Hands-on audit test for cloud access and logging controls
Evaluating evidence and scoring effectiveness
Day 4: Reporting and Cloud Audit Challenges – 07:30–15:30
- Module 1: Cloud Audit Documentation and Reporting – 07:30–09:30
Audit working papers and documentation trails
Common issues in cloud audit reports
Effective use of diagrams and visuals - Module 2: Communicating with Cloud Providers – 09:45–11:15
Engaging vendors for evidence and clarification
Escalation and conflict resolution during audits
Setting clear expectations in reports - Module 3: Reporting Risk-Based Findings – 11:30–01:00
Prioritizing audit findings and aligning with risk appetite
Writing actionable and concise recommendations
Review cycles and board-level summaries - Module 4: Workshop – Draft a Sample Cloud Audit Report – 02:00–03:30
Use templates to document real or simulated findings
Peer and instructor review
Day 5: Assurance Integration and Course Wrap-Up – 07:30–15:30
- Module 1: Integrating Cloud Audit into Enterprise Assurance – 07:30–09:30
Coordinating with IT, risk, and compliance teams
Leveraging findings to improve enterprise security posture
Benchmarking and internal audit planning - Module 2: Future Trends and Challenges – 09:45–11:15
Cloud-native applications and DevOps implications
Containers and microservices audit considerations
AI, ML, and automation in the cloud - Module 3: Final Case Study – 11:30–01:00
Comprehensive audit of a simulated cloud environment
Presentation of findings and recommendations - Module 4: Q&A, Feedback, and Certification – 02:00–03:30
Open Q&A session
Participant feedback and course review
Certificate distribution
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Cloud Security Audit, recognizing their ability to evaluate, test, and report on the security and compliance posture of cloud environments in alignment with leading standards and frameworks.