How do you document decisions and architecture for AWS IAM?

When documenting decisions and architecture for AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management), it is essential to outline the reasoning behind the choices made, the architecture structure, and any policies that have been implemented. This documentation helps teams maintain clarity on security practices and facilitates easier onboarding of new team members.

Key Elements of IAM Documentation

  • Decisions: Explain why specific IAM policies were created and the roles and permissions assigned.
  • Architecture Diagrams: Include diagrams that illustrate how IAM integrates with other AWS services.
  • Policy Examples: Provide examples of IAM policies that are utilized within your organization.
  • Security Best Practices: Document best practices for IAM usage, such as the principle of least privilege.
  • Access Control Lists (ACLs): Outline how ACLs are applied and how they interact with IAM roles.

Example IAM Policy Document

{ "Version": "2012-10-17", "Statement": [ { "Effect": "Allow", "Action": "s3:ListBucket", "Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::example-bucket" }, { "Effect": "Allow", "Action": "s3:GetObject", "Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::example-bucket/*" } ] }

AWS IAM Identity and Access Management IAM Policies AWS Security Cloud Architecture IAM Documentation