Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Scanning Tools

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a DevOps concept that fundamentally transformed how infrastructure is managed. It involves managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through configuration files, treating infrastructure like application code. IaC enables developers and IT teams to automatically manage, monitor, and provision resources, reducing manual processes and the possibility of human errors.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what IaC scanning is and what tools you can implement to perform your scans.

Common challenges addressed by IaC scanning

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) scanning is crucial in strengthening IT infrastructure against security breaches and ensuring it adheres to compliance standards. By scanning IaC scripts, you can detect and rectify security vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and non-compliance before they are deployed into live environments. This proactive approach to security significantly reduces the risk of breaches that could emerge from poorly configured infrastructure.

After security, IaC scanning also addresses several common challenges associated with general infrastructure code management.

Drift detection

One such challenge in IaC is drift detection, where the actual state of the infrastructure starts to diverge from its intended state as defined in the code. IaC scanning helps identify these drifts early, ensuring that the infrastructure remains consistent with the defined standards.

Scalability

Another challenge is scalability. As infrastructure grows, managing it manually becomes increasingly complex and error-prone. IaC scanning tools can scale alongside the infrastructure, continuously monitoring for any issues irrespective of the size of the environment.

Complexity

The inherent complexity of managing multiple IaC scripts and modules across different environments is streamlined through scanning, which provides a unified view of the infrastructure’s health and security posture. By automating the detection of potential issues, IaC scanning enhances security and compliance and simplifies the management of increasingly complex infrastructures.

Now that we’ve seen why IaC scanning is necessary, let’s take a closer look at the scanning tools.

What is an IaC scanning tool?

Infrastructure as Code scanning tools are specialized software designed to analyze and audit infrastructure files, which are used to automate the provisioning and management of your IT infrastructure. These tools primarily function to ensure that the code defining your infrastructure adheres to best practices and security standards.

IaC scanning tools automatically review code for problematic patterns or settings that could lead to security breaches, operational inefficiencies, or compliance violations. They check your scripts against predefined rules and policies, flagging any elements that don't align with security best practices or regulatory requirements. This not only helps in catching issues early in the development cycle but also aids in maintaining a consistent and secure infrastructure setup.

They should integrate seamlessly with your IaC frameworks, such as Terraform or Ansible.

Popular IaC Scanning Tools

Several tools have gained popularity for their efficiency and effectiveness. The most popular among them are Checkov, Tfsec, and Terrascan.

• Checkov: Checkov is a static code analysis tool designed for IaC. It specializes in detecting misconfigurations in Terraform, Cloudformation, Kubernetes, and other IaC frameworks. Checkov is known for its extensive policy library and ability to identify issues and suggest fixes. It is easy to integrate into CI/CD pipelines, making it a favorite for automating security checks. If you want to learn more, Checkov offers extensive documentation and a GitHub community for support. I would also recommend checking out some use-case examples online.

• Tfsec: Tfsec focuses specifically on Terraform, scanning Terraform code for potential security issues and offering rapid output feedback. Its strength lies in its speed and simplicity, providing clear and concise security guidance, particularly useful in agile development environments. To start, look at the Tfsec tutorials available online and Tfsec's GitHub repository to learn about its capabilities and contribute to its development.

• Terrascan: Terrascan is a comprehensive IaC scanning tool that supports multiple IaC platforms, including Terraform, Kubernetes, Helm, and Kustomize. It's recognized for its ability to enforce compliance policies across cloud platforms and an option to write your own policies with the Open Policy Agent (OPA). Terrascan's adaptability is supported by comprehensive online documentation and an active user community on GitHub, providing a platform for learning and collaboration.

Each tool brings unique strengths to the table, catering to different aspects of IaC security and compliance and offering valuable resources for users looking to deepen their understanding and application of these tools.

Wrapping up

IaC scanning tools are crucial for maintaining a secure and efficient infrastructure. They automate the process of spotting and fixing security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in your infrastructure code before deployment. This approach significantly reduces the risk of potential breaches and operational hiccups, ensuring your infrastructure is both robust and reliable.

Incorporating IaC scanning tools into your DevOps strategy is not just a security measure but a step towards enhanced and streamlined infrastructure management. It aligns with the principles of agile development, helping you maintain continuous monitoring and improvement. By embracing these tools, you are setting yourself up for improved deployment speed, enhanced reliability, and a more robust security posture, making your DevOps journey more efficient and secure.