AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials T2.3

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.

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.