Actionable AWS S3 Security Best Practices [Cheat Sheet]
After reading this cheat sheet, you'll be able to:
Secure S3 buckets and objects using IAM, bucket policies, and ACLs effectively.
Prevent accidental data deletion using Object Lock, MFA Delete, and replication.
Monitor access and data activity with CloudTrail, AWS Config, and Storage Lens.
Key Takeaways
- S3 security is layered:Combining IAM, bucket policies, and VPC endpoints gives you fine-grained control over who can access what—and how.
- Protection goes beyond access control:Features like S3 Object Lock and replication help prevent permanent data loss from both mistakes and malicious activity.
- Visibility is essential:Tools like AWS CloudTrail and Macie help detect risks and maintain compliance by tracking data access and usage.
This cheat sheet is designed for:
Cloud security engineers managing Amazon S3 data stores
DevOps and platform teams responsible for secure storage configurations
GRC and compliance professionals working to meet data protection mandates
What's included?
Access control strategies: When to use IAM, bucket policies, or ACLs—and how to avoid conflicts.
Data exposure prevention: Configure S3 Access Points and VPC endpoints to block public access.
Deletion protection: Use Object Lock, MFA Delete, and versioning to prevent accidental or malicious deletes.
Visibility and auditability: Monitor access with CloudTrail, AWS Config, and S3 Storage Lens.
Sensitive data protection: Scan and redact data using Amazon Macie and apply lifecycle policies for cleanup.
