6.2.1 Deployment best practices with infrastructure as code IaC for example, AWS CloudFormation template hardening and drift detection - This episode covers key best practices for implementing secure and consistent AWS deployments using Infrastructure as Code IaC, a major focus of the AWS Certified Security - Specialty SCS-C02 exam. Well explore how hardened AWS CloudFormation templates help enforce security, consistency, and compliance across environments, reducing the risk of configuration errors. Listeners will learn about critical techniques such as enforcing least-privilege IAM policies, dynamic parameterization, and modular template design, along with mechanisms like drift detection and automated remediation to maintain control over deployed resources. Well dive into the importance of version control, testing, and robust change management, each crucial for handling deployments in large, multi-account AWS environments. Youll discover how AWS services like AWS Config, Security Hub, and Firewall Manager can be integrated directly into your deployment pipelines to monitor, enforce, and remediate security controls. Real-world scenarios illustrate how these strategies come together in practicedemonstrating the benefits of automation, tagging, and cross-account resource sharing. The episode also highlights advanced security considerations, such as protecting sensitive data, auditing IAM policies, and preventing drift-induced vulnerabilities. These approaches are vital for maintaining a strong, audit-ready security posture in dynamic cloud environments. Whether youre studying for the exam or managing AWS deployments at scale, this episode will give you actionable insights into building cloud infrastructure that is secure, auditable, and designed for growth.