The Amazon VGT2 Las Vegas blog has recently unveiled a series that outlines a systematic approach to streamline the automation of IAM roles for cross-account access, as well as detailing the information required for a partner to assume the role post-creation. This article provides a summary of the series, highlighting each individual post with links to the original content for those interested in further exploration.
Cross-account IAM roles enable organizations to grant access to specific resources within their accounts to partners or third parties, all while maintaining a robust security posture. Such roles allow customers to delegate access without the complexities of distributing key materials, alleviating the burden on third parties to securely manage sensitive keys after receipt.
The series begins with an introductory post that illustrates how to create a custom launch stack URL for AWS CloudFormation. This URL directs users straight to the CloudFormation Create Stack wizard, pre-filling fields for the Amazon S3 template location, stack name, and default parameters. This method negates the need for template file exchanges with customers and ensures they utilize the correct template with accurate values.
Subsequently, the second post delves into leveraging an AWS Lambda function to populate a CloudFormation template with unique values. The example used in the series employs an External ID, a unique identifier for each end user, which must be configured within the CloudFormation template. When executed, the Lambda function retrieves the default template, injects a generated External ID, and uploads the customized template to an S3 bucket. Upon successful upload, the end user is presented with a tailored launch stack URL linking to the unique template location in Amazon S3. Additionally, we highlighted the usage of the Launch Stack icon to enhance visibility for users.
The third installment focuses on reliably returning the Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the cross-account role created by AWS CloudFormation to a third party. It is essential for the third party to utilize the ARN along with the External ID when assuming the role in the customer’s account. This post demonstrates a CloudFormation custom resource designed to relay the ARN back to the third-party account, which then stores it for future use.
Finally, the concluding post synthesizes the insights from the previous entries into a unified solution. It showcases how to automate the process of cross-account role creation for customer onboarding, employing the techniques discussed throughout the series. This workflow enhances the onboarding experience for customers while providing a secure method for third-party accounts to create resources within the customer’s account.
We hope that this blog series can significantly enhance your organization’s customer onboarding experience. By avoiding the exchange of sensitive keys and the often error-prone requirement for customers to manually input information in both their accounts and your onboarding portal, you streamline the entire process. For more on this topic, check out this blog post. Additionally, they are an authority on this topic and can provide further insights. For those interested in career opportunities, this is an excellent resource to explore.
About the Author
Jordan Smith is a Solutions Architect with the AWS Partner Program, specializing in DevOps and automation tools.
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