You probably have cloud security at the top of your list for your organization, especially if you handle lots of data. When searching for the right solution, AWS cloud often comes up. With a deeper understanding of the AWS security best practices, you can use the AWS cloud to gain better security and limit access to data.
There are many benefits to the AWS cloud. When you choose this Amazon Web Service, you gain access to the largest cloud platform available. In addition, the strict AWS security best practices make the AWS cloud a popular choice for storing large amounts of data.
Amazon Web Service allows businesses access to cloud services, including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). With both options under one cloud platform, businesses don't need to get individual software to meet their specific needs. Instead, they can gain access to everything from one AWS account.
Of course, when you invest in any part of your business, you want the best possible security. So let's look at some of the things you should know about AWS security before you use the AWS environment for your business.
What can AWS do for me?
The AWS environment offers everything you need to run various businesses. In addition, it goes beyond data protection basics by offering some of the best cloud security options found online today.
Amazon Web Services offers a comprehensive solution for many businesses and organizations. With this cloud computing platform, you can build and run many applications, including video streaming, gaming, social network, online banking, and more.
How much does AWS cost?
One of the unique benefits you will find when it comes to the cost of AWS is the pay-as-you-go model. You can experiment with different types of technology until you find the right one. Startups can use AWS to build their product while keeping the cost minimal.
The actual cost will vary from one AWS account to another, but it's controllable. When you create an AWS account, you will gain control over your spending and can scale up or down as necessary.
Should I store my data in the cloud?
If you're wondering what the security risks of cloud computing are, you're not alone. Anytime you plan to use a cloud environment to store data, you should become familiar with the risks. But, of course, securing your account properly is the first step to mitigating risks.
While there are some risks to using cloud computing, most risks are mitigated with good AWS cloud security and access management. Plus, when you use the AWS security best practices, it's much easier to gain strong AWS cloud security for your organization.
The Importance of AWS Security & the AWS Tools You Can Use for Better Cloud Security
Without strong cloud security, protecting the data you are responsible for can be difficult. You want to keep bad actors out, and using the AWS security hub can help. There are many cybersecurity solutions out there, but few offer the tools the AWS security hub provides.
Some of the tools you will find within this part of the AWS management console include the following:
· Amazon Guardduty
· Amazon Inspector
· AWS Config
· AWS Firewall Manager
· AWS IAM Access Analyzer
· Amazon Macie
· AWS Health
These cloud security tools and others in the AWS management console allow you to perform many different functions. For example, Amazon Guardduty offers a security monitoring service to process data sources, including AWS Cloudtrail data events for Amazon S3 logs.
AWS config, on the other hand, allows you to monitor, assess, and record changes continually. This AWS resource will allow you to perform an AWS security assessment or even an audit.
There are many capabilities to help increase cloud security with the AWS IAM Access Analyzer. Using this AWS resource will allow you to gain better control over access to your account. Security practices with IAM are very important to your overall cloud security strategy.
Important AWS Security Best Practices for Preventing Risk When Using the AWS Environment
When it comes to AWS cloud security, there are several best practices you will want to follow. AWS has put out a list highlighting each security best practice to follow. Let's look closer at some of the ways you can gain better AWS cloud security by following each security best practice on the list.
1. Use Temporary Credentials
One of the easiest ways to gain better cloud security is with temporary credentials. It's best to log in via the console with a username and password compared to using an access key. With an access key, you create unnecessary risk due to the long-lived access provided.
One way to help minimize risk when you need to use access keys is by rotating the access tokens. This can help keep bad actors from gaining access to your AWS account.
2. Administrator Credentials Due Diligence
It's important for an AWS organization to have strict control and access management when it comes to administrator accounts. Avoiding excessive usage and using limited access rights daily is best.
It is also necessary to take additional AWS security measures to gain better cloud security. For example, consider separating account logins and encryptions to help keep data safe.
3. Activate Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
Another important step when it comes to cloud security is using MFA. With MFA, you will need to do more than remember a password to gain access to the account. It will become necessary to authenticate your AWS identity through a physical device, such as a smartphone, along with your password. This type of access control can ensure you have stronger data security by limiting access to bad actors.
4. Use Password Hygiene
Of course, a strong password is a very important part of any data security plan. With good password hygiene, it becomes harder for bad actors to access your account. So make sure you follow a strict set of password rules to eliminate weak passwords and keep your AWS accounts from becoming compromised.
5. Centralize AWS IAM
When you centralize AWS IAM, you will have a single control point for each identity. This makes it easier to enforce policies and governs access. However, it's also important to ensure entitlements and privileges are managed centrally and align with the requirements of your organization.
6. Inventory All Identities
If you cannot see an identity or account, you cannot manage it. An important part of AWS security is discovering and inventorying all human and machine identities and entitlements. This can be done with the right tools and scripts. It's important to gain visibility into the many automation tools and what they are executing on your account.
How can RiskRecon help me?
If you plan to become an AWS organization, schedule your RiskRecon Demo today. We will make sure you understand exactly how to gain the best possible cloud security with AWS. Our team uses more than 35 unique criteria for a very deep and accurate picture of your security risk.
