Terraform adds new pre-written Sentinel policies for AWS Foundational Security Best Practices Analysis Report

5W1H Analysis

Who

The primary stakeholders are HashiCorp and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Organisations employing AWS infrastructure for their cloud operations will also be beneficiaries of this development.

What

HashiCorp, in collaboration with AWS, has introduced a pre-written policy library designed to help organisations adhere to AWS’s Foundational Best Security Practices (FSBP) through Sentinel policies.

When

This announcement and release occurred on 29th May 2025.

Where

The policy tools are applicable globally but are specifically designed to enhance security practices within AWS’s cloud environments, affecting organisations using AWS infrastructure worldwide.

Why

The motivation behind this initiative is to streamline the adoption of security practices by providing ready-to-use policies that comply with AWS’s best security frameworks, thereby reducing the overhead and complexity for organisations.

How

The pre-written Sentinel policies are integrated within HashiCorp Terraform, making it easier for organisations to apply best practices without extensive custom development. These policies are automatically enforced during the infrastructure provisioning process.

News Summary

HashiCorp, in collaboration with AWS, has unveiled a pre-written policy library for Sentinel to assist companies in following AWS’s Foundational Security Best Practices (FSBP). This development, revealed on 29th May 2025, aims to make it easier for organisations using AWS infrastructure to implement and maintain strong security protocols, ensuring compliance with AWS’s security standards globally.

6-Month Context Analysis

Over the past six months, there has been a notable acceleration in efforts to improve cloud security frameworks. Both HashiCorp and AWS have been active in rolling out tools and updates to enhance security features. This includes AWS enhancing its FSBP guidelines and HashiCorp releasing multiple Terraform updates to integrate higher security standards. The trend reflects an industry-wide move towards heightened security and compliance in response to increased cloud-related threats.

Future Trend Analysis

This initiative points to ongoing advancements in automation tools for cloud security compliance. As cloud usage surges, the trend towards integrating comprehensive, pre-built security policies into infrastructure as code (IaC) tools is likely to gain traction.

12-Month Outlook

It is expected that more cloud service providers will follow AWS’s example, collaborating with IaC platforms to offer pre-configured security policies. This will likely lead to improved security postures for organisations while reducing the cost and complexity of compliance.

Key Indicators to Monitor

  • The frequency of updates to AWS FSBP guidelines and associated tools.
  • Adoption rates of pre-written policies by organisations using Terraform.
  • Reports on the efficacy of these pre-written policies in reducing security incidents.

Scenario Analysis

Best Case Scenario

Organisations widely adopt the pre-written policies, leading to a significant reduction in security breaches and facilitating seamless compliance with AWS’s security protocols.

Most Likely Scenario

Moderate adoption of the policies occurs, with early adopters reporting enhanced security but slower uptake in less technologically agile organisations.

Worst Case Scenario

There is minimal adoption due to organisational inertia or technological barriers, resulting in continued exposure to potential security risks for organisations.

Strategic Implications

Organisations should consider integrating these Sentinel policies immediately to bolster their security postures. AWS users need to stay informed about any updates or modifications to the FSBP guidelines. Additionally, security teams should continue to enhance the customisation of these policies to address specific organisational needs.

Key Takeaways

  • HashiCorp and AWS have collaborated to provide pre-written Sentinel policies for AWS’s FSBP, aimed at simplifying compliance (Who/What).
  • These policies are available globally for organisations utilising AWS infrastructure (Where).
  • Adoption of these policies can potentially streamline security practices and reduce risks (What/Why).
  • Organisations must monitor the evolving security landscape to make the best use of these tools (What/How).
  • Strategic adjustments in applying these tools can lead to optimised security outcomes (Why/How).

Source: Terraform adds new pre-written Sentinel policies for AWS Foundational Security Best Practices