Building and Automating Penetration Testing Labs in the Cloud

Take your penetration testing career to the next level by discovering how to set up and exploit cost-effective hacking lab environments on AWS, Azure, and GCPKey FeaturesExplore strategies for managing the complexity, cost, and security of running labs in the cloudUnlock the power of infrastructure as code and generative AI when building complex lab environmentsLearn how to build pentesting labs that mimic modern environments on AWS, Azure, and GCPPurchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook DescriptionThe significant increase in the number of cloud-related threats and issues has led to a surge in the demand for cloud security professionals. This book will help you set up vulnerable-by-design environments in the cloud to minimize the risks involved while learning all about cloud penetration testing and ethical hacking.This step-by-step guide begins by helping you design and build penetration testing labs that mimic modern cloud environments running on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Next, you’ll find out how to use infrastructure as code (IaC) solutions to manage a variety of lab environments in the cloud. As you advance, you’ll discover how generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can be leveraged to accelerate the preparation of IaC templates and configurations. You’ll also learn how to validate vulnerabilities by exploiting misconfigurations and vulnerabilities using various penetration testing tools and techniques. Finally, you’ll explore several practical strategies for managing the complexity, cost, and risks involved when dealing with penetration testing lab environments in the cloud.By the end of this penetration testing book, you’ll be able to design and build cost-effective vulnerable cloud lab environments where you can experiment and practice different types of attacks and penetration testing techniques.What you will learnBuild vulnerable-by-design labs that mimic modern cloud environmentsFind out how to manage the risks associated with cloud lab environmentsUse infrastructure as code to automate lab infrastructure deploymentsValidate vulnerabilities present in penetration testing labsFind out how to manage the costs of running labs on AWS, Azure, and GCPSet up IAM privilege escalation labs for advanced penetration testingUse generative AI tools to generate infrastructure as code templatesImport the Kali Linux Generic Cloud Image to the cloud with easeWho this book is forThis book is for security engineers, cloud engineers, and aspiring security professionals who want to learn more about penetration testing and cloud security. Other tech professionals working on advancing their career in cloud security who want to learn how to manage the complexity, costs, and risks associated with building and managing hacking lab environments in the cloud will find this book useful.Table of ContentsGetting Started with Penetration Testing Labs in the CloudPreparing Our First Vulnerable Cloud Lab EnvironmentSucceeding with Infrastructure as Code Tools and StrategiesSetting Up Isolated Penetration Testing Lab Environments on GCPSetting Up Isolated Penetration Testing Lab Environments on AzureSetting Up Isolated Penetration Testing Lab Environments on AWSSetting Up an IAM Privilege Escalation LabDesigning and Building a Vulnerable Active Directory LabRecommended Strategies and Best Practices