Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a popular comprehensive platform where Amazon offers its cloud services. It comes with the best budget for businesses of all sizes, offering hundreds of different services that give the user endless possibilities.
Developers can use the platform to build everything from complex infrastructure technologies to data processing, storage, and databases, as well as software for devices that require complex technologies, such as electronics, software, and sensors.
By learning the key areas of AWS cloud security, you can automate manual security tasks and be able to comprehend how you can use it to keep private data and information safe.
AWS’s basic idea is to always innovate faster, and constantly develop new technology available to customers so that they can transform companies and organizations.
Even though AWS comes with plenty of useful services, many of them remain untapped to their full potential and that’s why in this article, we’ll offer some tips and tricks when getting started with AWS.
Activate MFA for Root User
Each AWS account has one user with complete control over all other users and services running across them. This is called the root user and the first thing to do after creating a new AWS is to enable MultiFactor-Authentication (MFA) for the root user.
To do this, you can use a virtual device or hardware token for increased security. Any time someone needs to log in as the root user, they’ll need a code that is produced by another device. Activating MFA helps to protect your account and reduce the risk of attacks.
Create a Billing Alarm
AWS uses a so-called pay-per-use model for its services. For instance, if you launch a virtual machine, you’ll have to pay for it per hour or you get billed for every GB of data stored in the object store. Unwanted expenses may occur if you fail to remember to terminate unutilized virtual machines or erase data that you no longer require from S3.
So, consider creating a billing alarm to avoid unforeseen billing amounts on your monthly invoice from AWS and it will send you an email as an alert if the costs for the current month exceed your limit.
Get Familiar With Identity and Access Management
The Identity and Access Management (IAM) service is the one that authenticates and authorizes all interactions with AWS and it’s an essential part of security in the cloud. It allows you to precisely control access to all AWS services.
It’s crucial to understand the IAM concept and follow best practices and set aside time to learn and become familiar with the Identity and Access Management service from the very beginning.
Take Advantage of the Free Tier
The great thing about AWS is that you don’t have to pay anything to get started. A Free Tier is offered for many of the services for the first 12 months of a newly created account. This will give you the opportunity of a hands-on experience with a range of AWS at no charge.
For instance, you can explore the AWS platform for your business by setting up a test website with a database, a server, and alarms and also try services for developers like AWS Data Pipeline, AWS CodePipeline, or AWS Device Farm.
Don’t forget that if you want to avoid charges while on the AWS Free Tier, you need to track your usage and make sure to keep it below the limits or you will be charged for any usage that exceeds the limits.
Make Use of the AWS Command Line Interface
One of the simplest ways to interact with AWS is through the AWS Command Line Interface, otherwise known as the AWS CLI. When you use web browsers and click through a web interface to operate with AWS, you’re actually using the AWS Management Console.
If you wish to script certain tasks, then the AWS CLI becomes an appreciated alternative. You can call it manually or include CLI commands within other custom scripts like bash scripts.
Aim for Automation
One of the greatest advantages of using AWS is that the API allows you to automate every part of your cloud infrastructure. This means that you can automate anything from launching and provisioning virtual machines to creating the entire networking infrastructure.
Ultimately this automation will increase the quality of your infrastructure and significantly reduce administration efforts. Make sure the automation gets the most out of AWS.
In Closing
Although starting a cloud journey can seem daunting at first, there are ways that can help facilitate the process and give you more confidence when starting to work with AWS. Consider the tips and tricks above and you’ll be sure to make the most out of your AWS cloud platform.
