How to Set Up AWS IAM
By Abhinay Durishetty
2 min read
How to Set Up AWS IAM
Step 1: Sign In to AWS
Log into your AWS Management Console using your AWS account credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to IAM Dashboard
Locate the "Services" dropdown and choose "IAM" under the "Security, Identity, & Compliance" section.
Step 3: Create Users
Click the "Users" tab and then select the “Add User” button. Follow the prompts to set usernames and assign permissions.
Step 4: Set Up Roles
Under the “Roles” tab, click “Create Role.” Define the role, specify permissions, and assign it to users or AWS services.
Step 5: Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Go to the “Dashboard” and under “Security Status,” activate MFA to add an extra layer of security.
Step 6: Configure Password Policies
Under “Account settings,” you can set your password policy, specifying complexity requirements and rotation policies.
Step 7: Set Up Groups (Optional)
For ease of management, you can create groups and assign users to them. Each group can have a specific set of permissions.
Step 8: Review Permissions
Always periodically review permissions for each role and user to ensure they align with current needs.
Step 9: Audit and Monitor
Use AWS CloudWatch along with IAM access logs to continuously monitor and audit activities.
Step 1: Sign In to AWS
Log into your AWS Management Console using your AWS account credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to IAM Dashboard
Locate the "Services" dropdown and choose "IAM" under the "Security, Identity, & Compliance" section.
Step 3: Create Users
Click the "Users" tab and then select the “Add User” button. Follow the prompts to set usernames and assign permissions.
Step 4: Set Up Roles
Under the “Roles” tab, click “Create Role.” Define the role, specify permissions, and assign it to users or AWS services.
Step 5: Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Go to the “Dashboard” and under “Security Status,” activate MFA to add an extra layer of security.
Step 6: Configure Password Policies
Under “Account settings,” you can set your password policy, specifying complexity requirements and rotation policies.
Step 7: Set Up Groups (Optional)
For ease of management, you can create groups and assign users to them. Each group can have a specific set of permissions.
Step 8: Review Permissions
Always periodically review permissions for each role and user to ensure they align with current needs.
Step 9: Audit and Monitor
Use AWS CloudWatch along with IAM access logs to continuously monitor and audit activities.
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Introduction to AWS IAM