Code: C02-P4 | Author: Saransundar N | Applies To: AWS | Azure | Google Cloud
Each cloud provider provides a boundary to create and manage resources using cloud accounts. We have seen in detail in the previous posts.
Part-1: Cloud Account overview – AWS Account | Azure Subscription | Google Cloud project
Part-2: Single Vs Multiple Cloud Accounts; Top 10 needs for multiple cloud accounts
Part-3: Cloud Account structure and Hierarchy – AWS | Azure | Google Cloud
Part-4: Importance of the AWS root user | Azure account admin | Google Billing account owner (WE ARE HERE !)
In this post, let us detail the most powerful user that manages cloud accounts, its importance and best practices.
Importance of AWS account root user:
The AWS account root user is the initial user created when an AWS account is created. It has full administrative access to all the resources in the account, and as such, it is considered to be the most powerful user in the account.
The importance of the AWS account root user is that it is the only user that can perform certain actions, such as changing the email address associated with the account or closing the account.
Best practices for managing the cloud accounts power users like AWS account root users, and Azure account admin include:
- Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect the user’s credentials
- Creating and using cloud admin users with specific permissions for daily management tasks
- Limiting the use of the root user to only the necessary actions that can’t be performed by other users.
- Regularly monitoring and reviewing the activity of the root user, to detect any suspicious or unauthorized activity.
- Setting up AWS Organizations to manage multiple accounts, rather than using the root account to manage multiple resources and services.
- Rotating the root user’s credentials regularly, and storing them in a secure location.
- Limiting the number of individuals who have access to the root user’s credentials, and ensuring that access is only granted to those who require it.
By following these best practices, you can help to protect the security of your AWS account and reduce the risk of unauthorized access or misuse of your resources.