Q: How do you scan Terraform code for security misconfigurations before applying?
Several tools:
#Terraform #Security & Best Practices #L2 #IaC #Cloud Infrastructure #S3
🎙️ Candidate Opening & Architectural Context
""Treat Terraform code with the same rigor as application code: pre-merge plans, state locks, and automated drift detection. When addressing this question, I walk the interviewer through our production incident runbook: isolating the blast radius, checking diagnostic logs and metrics, and applying a safe fix.""
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🛠️ Production Runbook & Step-by-Step Resolution
1️⃣
Initial Diagnostics & Root Cause Analysis
Several tools:
- tfsec — open source. Checks for common security issues (S3 public access, unencrypted EBS, open security groups, missing logging).
- checkov — open source. Broader coverage. Also supports CloudFormation, K8s, Helm.
- Snyk IaC — commercial. Deep AWS/Azure/GCP policy coverage.
2️⃣
Remediation & Permanent Safeguards
Add to CI: run before terraform apply. Fail the pipeline on HIGH severity findings. Example: tfsec . in CI stage. Fail if any HIGH/CRITICAL issues.
- OPA + Conftest — write your own custom policies in Rego language.
- Terrascan — NIST, SOC2, HIPAA, CIS benchmark checks.
💡 The Senior SRE Gold Nugget (Key Architectural Takeaway)
"Pro-Tip: tfsec — open source. Checks for common security issues (S3 public access, unencrypted EBS, open security groups, missing logging).."
⚡ 60-Second Elevator Pitch Talking Points
- tfsec — open source. Checks for common security issues (S3 public access, unencrypted EBS, open s...
- checkov — open source. Broader coverage. Also supports CloudFormation, K8s, Helm.
- Snyk IaC — commercial. Deep AWS/Azure/GCP policy coverage.
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