Security and compliance management for SAP workloads on AWS differ from traditional data centers primarily due to the cloud's shared responsibility model, the scalability of cloud security features, and the flexibility offered by cloud-native tools. In traditional data centers, organizations are responsible for all aspects of security—physical security, network security, system security, and compliance management. In contrast, AWS manages the underlying infrastructure, including physical security, hardware maintenance, and foundational network controls, allowing organizations to focus on securing their SAP workloads and data.
On AWS, security best practices include implementing Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies to control granular access, encrypting data at rest using AWS Key Management Service (KMS), and encrypting data in transit using TLS protocols. AWS provides security tools like AWS Security Hub, AWS Config, and Amazon GuardDuty to continuously monitor and audit security configurations and threats. Compliance management is facilitated through AWS Artifact, which provides access to compliance reports and certifications, supporting adherence to standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC.
Additionally, AWS enables automation of security controls and compliance through Infrastructure as Code (IaC), allowing rapid deployment of secure environments with consistent configurations. Regular patching, vulnerability scanning, and intrusion detection are critical, and AWS services integrate seamlessly to support these activities. For SAP workloads, specific security considerations include isolating SAP environments in dedicated VPCs, applying security groups and network ACLs, and configuring SAP-specific security parameters.
Compared to traditional data centers, AWS offers greater agility in managing security and compliance, enabling organizations to respond quickly to emerging threats, meet evolving regulatory requirements, and implement best practices at scale. However, organizations must proactively configure and manage their cloud security posture, understanding that security is a shared responsibility between AWS and the customer. This approach results in a more dynamic, scalable, and compliant environment for SAP workloads.