AWS Shared Responsibility Model

🔐 What AWS Handles (Security of the Cloud)

AWS takes care of the heavy lifting — the physical data centers, networking, hardware, and the basic software infrastructure that powers the cloud. You don’t have to worry about someone breaking into their server rooms or a faulty cable messing with your services. AWS has that covered, and they do it at a world-class level.

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🧠 What You Handle (Security in the Cloud)

Now, this is where your work begins.

Depending on the AWS services you use, your responsibilities vary. For example:

• If you spin up a virtual server (EC2), you are responsible for:

  • Installing software

  • Patching the OS

  • Setting up your firewall (called security groups in AWS)

• If you’re using a fully managed service like Amazon S3 or DynamoDB, then AWS takes care of more, but you’re still responsible for:

  • Managing your data

  • Setting permissions with IAM (Identity & Access Management)

  • Encrypting what needs to stay private

So yeah, the more control you want, the more responsibility you take on. But hey, with great power comes… you know the rest.

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🧩 But It Doesn’t Stop There — What About Compliance?

Security isn't just about firewalls and encryption — it's also about following the rules.

The Shared Responsibility Model also extends to IT controls and compliance. AWS gives you tools, documentation, and controls to help you meet your compliance requirements — whether it's HIPAA, GDPR, SOC, or any other alphabet soup of regulations.

Let’s break down the types of controls involved:

✅ Inherited Controls

These are the ones you don’t have to worry about. AWS handles them entirely — like physical security, infrastructure, and environment monitoring.

🔁 Shared Controls

Think of this like teamwork:

• Patch Management: AWS patches the infrastructure; you patch your software.

• Configuration Management: AWS manages their devices; you manage your settings and apps.

• Training: AWS trains their team; you train yours.

🔒 Customer-Specific Controls

These are all on you. For example, if your app needs to keep sensitive customer data in specific zones, or you have certain internal policies — you own those.

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🛠️ Applying the Model in the Real World

Okay, so now you know what the model is — but how do you actually use it?

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Start with the AWS service you're using.

• Ask yourself: “What part of this service do I control?”

• Use AWS documentation to understand what they’re already handling.

• Fill the gaps on your side — whether it’s security, compliance, data management, or access control.

Also, remember that things can vary by:

• Region (some AWS services differ slightly based on where you deploy them)

• Compliance needs (your industry might have its own rules)

• Your architecture (a simple S3 bucket needs less oversight than a multi-tier EC2 setup)