Infrastructure-as-Code Automation for SMC using Terraform

This approach utilizes Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) to automate the provisioning and management of the Forcepoint Security Engine infrastructure by using Terraform and SMC API.

Instead of manually configuring SMC elements through the SMC Graphical User Interface, administrators can define both the infrastructure and policies as code within a Terraform configuration file. Terraform then communicates with the SMC via API calls to automatically create, modify, and manage all SMC elements.

Important: Any updates made in the SMC Graphical User Interface can be overridden and lost if Terraform does not contain the same content after executing a Terraform apply.

Benefits:

  • Reduces human error.
  • Ensures global policy consistency.
  • Enable faster deployments.
  • Support scalable multi-site deployments.
  • Simplifies duplication of similar configurations.

Typical Workflow:

1
Define Infrastructure as Code: An administrator creates a Terraform configuration file (main.tf).
2
Run Terraform: This involves executing the following commands:
  1. terraform init: Initializes Terraform.
  2. terraform plan: Preview the proposed changes.
  3. terraform apply: Applies the configuration.
3
API communication: Terraform communicates with SMC via API calls.
4
SMC executes changes: SMC creates or updates SMC elements.
5
Policy installation: The policy can be installed using Terraform action feature. Note: This step is optional.
6
State files are stored: Terraform stores a state file that keeps track of the deployed resources and applied changes.

For detailed instruction on using Terraform or creating a Terraform configuration file, refer to the Forcepoint SMC – Terraform Provider guide.