IAM Roles vs. User Credentials

Learn about IAM roles vs user credentials - when to use each and security best practices for AWS access management.

iam-role-config.json
{
"RoleName": "EC2-S3-Role",
"AssumeRolePolicyDocument": "..."
}
iam-role-config.json
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Tutor:IAM provides two main ways to grant access: user credentials (access keys) and IAM roles. Understanding when to use each is crucial for AWS security best practices.


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IAM (Identity and Access Management) provides two main ways to grant access: user credentials (access keys) and IAM roles. Understanding when to use each is crucial for AWS security best practices.

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IAM Roles vs. User Credentials

Author

Pascual Vila

Cloud Instructor.

IAM provides two main ways to grant access: user credentials (access keys) and IAM roles. Understanding when to use each is crucial for AWS security best practices.

User Credentials

User credentials (access keys) are long-lived credentials associated with IAM users. They consist of an Access Key ID and Secret Access Key. These credentials are permanent until rotated or deleted, making them less secure for applications and services.

IAM Roles

IAM roles provide temporary credentials that are automatically rotated. Roles can be assumed by AWS services, applications, or users. They are the recommended way to grant access to applications and services because they provide temporary, automatically rotated credentials.

Best Practices

Always prefer IAM roles over user credentials for applications and services. Use roles for EC2, Lambda, ECS tasks, and other AWS services. Only use user credentials for human users who need programmatic access, and always rotate them regularly.

IAM Roles & Credentials Glossary

IAM Role
An IAM identity that provides temporary credentials. Roles can be assumed by AWS services, applications, or users. Credentials are automatically rotated.
User Credentials
Long-lived credentials (Access Key ID and Secret Access Key) associated with IAM users. These are permanent until manually rotated or deleted.
Instance Profile
A container for an IAM role that can be attached to an EC2 instance. The instance automatically receives temporary credentials from the role.
Assume Role
The process of temporarily taking on the permissions of an IAM role. The role provides temporary credentials that expire after a set time.
Trust Policy
A JSON policy document that specifies who can assume an IAM role. Also known as an assume role policy document.
Lambda Execution Role
An IAM role that a Lambda function assumes when it runs. The function uses this role's permissions to access AWS services. No credentials are stored in the function code.