AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials T2.3

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Questions and Answers

Which feature differentiates AWS IAM Identity Center from AWS IAM?

Used for managing access in a single account

Allows for federated users via identity providers (correct)

Integrates with AWS services only

Provides fine-grained access control

In what scenario should one choose to use AWS IAM rather than AWS IAM Identity Center?

For centralizing user access across multiple accounts

To integrate with Microsoft Active Directory

To simplify login processes for contractors

When managing access within a single AWS account (correct)

What is the primary purpose of AWS Secrets Manager?

Allow external identities access to AWS resources

Manage user permissions across AWS accounts

Enforce password policies on user accounts

Store and rotate sensitive data like API keys (correct)

Which statement regarding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is correct?

MFA adds a layer of protection to any user account Signup and view all the answers

What type of IAM user allows access using credentials from an external system?

Federated Identity Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a task that can be performed by the root user?

Monitoring IAM user activity Signup and view all the answers

Which method is essential for protecting the root user account?

Enable MFA for the root account Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)?

It allows the creation of temporary access by granting roles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Principle of Least Privilege?

Granting only necessary permissions for tasks Signup and view all the answers

When should an organization consider using IAM Identity Center?

For accommodating multiple AWS accounts in a single structure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is NOT a recommended practice for protecting the AWS root user account?

Use the root user for daily administrative tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Which storage solution is specifically designed to store configuration data and secrets?

AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store Signup and view all the answers

In the context of IAM, what does the principle of least privilege aim to achieve?

Limiting the permissions for users to only what is necessary. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the function of the AWS IAM Identity Center?

It allows centralized access control for multiple accounts with a single login. Signup and view all the answers

What could potentially happen if unauthorized access to the AWS root user account is achieved?

Resources might be deleted or modified at will. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes IAM policies?

Defines the rules for what actions are allowed or denied for users. Signup and view all the answers

What does federated identity support in AWS IAM Identity Center allow for?

Integration with external identity providers such as Microsoft Active Directory. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of using IAM reduces risks associated with user permissions?

Creating IAM users for day-to-day tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it critical to store AWS root credentials securely?

To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive account features. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of applying the principle of least privilege in an AWS environment?

Enhanced security by minimizing access to necessary permissions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

AWS Access Management Key Concepts

IAM (Identity and Access Management): Manages access to AWS resources. Controls users, groups, roles, and policies. Crucial for authorizing access.

Protecting the AWS Root User Account

Root User: The initial AWS account with full access.
Risks of Unprotected Root User: Risk of resource deletion, billing changes, and account takeover.
Best Practices:
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
- Limit Root User use to essential tasks like account settings.
- Securely store root credentials.
- Create IAM users for everyday tasks.

Principle of Least Privilege

Concept: Grant users and applications only necessary permissions, nothing more.
Example: A developer needs read-only access to an S3 bucket; they shouldn't have delete/modify permission.
Benefits: Reduces accidental/malicious changes. Improves security by limiting what users can do.

AWS IAM Identity Center (AWS Single Sign-On)

Purpose: Simplifies access to multiple AWS accounts and applications with a single login.
Key Features:
- Centralized access control across accounts.
- Federated identity support.
IAM vs. IAM Identity Center: IAM manages a single account, while IAM Identity Center manages multiple accounts via SSO and external identity providers (e.g., Microsoft Active Directory).
Use Cases:
- IAM: Single account, fine-grained resource permissions.
- IAM Identity Center: Multiple accounts, simplified logins, external identity integration.

Access Keys, Password Policies, and Credential Storage

Access Keys: Used by applications to access AWS services.
Password Policies: Enforce rules for user passwords (e.g., length, complexity, expiration).
Credential Storage: Securely store sensitive credentials using tools like:
- AWS Secrets Manager.
- AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store.

Authentication Methods in AWS

Methods:
- MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication): Adds a second authentication layer (e.g., code to phone).
- IAM Identity Center (SSO): Single sign-on for multiple AWS accounts/applications.
- Cross-Account IAM Roles: Allow access between AWS accounts without sharing credentials.

Groups, Users, and Policies

Groups: Collections of users with shared permissions (e.g., "Developers").
Users: Individual accounts with unique access keys, passwords, and permissions.
Policies: Define permissions.
- Managed Policies: Predefined by AWS.
- Custom Policies: Tailored to specific customer needs.

Tasks Requiring Root User Access

Limited: Tasks like changing account email/password, closing account, and managing specific billing features.

Protecting the Root User Account (Summary)

Enable MFA for root user: Extra security layer.
Avoid sharing root credentials: Use IAM users for daily tasks.
Monitor root user activity: Use AWS CloudTrail to log activity.

Types of Identity Management

Standalone IAM Users: Separate user accounts.
Federated Identity: Integrates with external systems (like corporate login).
Service Roles: Allow AWS services to securely interact with each other.

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Description

Dive into key concepts of AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM). This quiz covers the importance of protecting the root user account and the principle of least privilege in AWS. Test your knowledge on best practices and security measures essential for managing access to AWS resources.