IAM User
An IAM User is an identity created for a person or application that is used to interact with AWS services.
Description
In the context of Amazon Web Services (AWS), an IAM User (Identity and Access Management User) is a specific entity that AWS creates to represent a person or application. Each IAM User can be assigned individual credentials, such as passwords and access keys, which allow them to authenticate and interact with AWS resources securely. IAM Users are part of a broader IAM framework that helps to manage access and permissions across AWS services. By creating IAM Users, organizations can enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have access to the resources they need to perform their job functions. This is critical for maintaining security and compliance within the cloud environment. Furthermore, IAM Users can be grouped into IAM Groups, where permissions can be managed collectively, simplifying the administration of user permissions. Organizations can also apply Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to IAM Users to bolster security, requiring a second form of verification in addition to the standard credentials.
Examples
- An IAM User named 'Alice' has permissions to access Amazon S3 to upload and download files but cannot delete any data.
- A developer IAM User named 'Bob' is granted permissions to access AWS Lambda functions, allowing him to deploy and test serverless applications.
Additional Information
- IAM Users can be managed through the AWS Management Console, AWS CLI, or AWS SDKs.
- AWS allows for fine-grained access control, meaning permissions can be set at a very detailed level, including specific resources and actions.