When working with AWS, you will likely come across the Security Token Service (STS). It’s a powerful service to help you manage authentication and authorization in your cloud environment. But have you ever wondered, “In this world, what is aws sts? How does it work? And most importantly, why would people want to use it?”
If so, then this is the article for you. We’ll explore the basics of AWS STS and how you can use it to secure your applications. Let’s get started.
What is AWS Security Token Service (STS)?
AWS Security Token Service (STS) is a powerful service provided by Amazon Web Services that basically ensures you grant temporary access to AWS resources. It acts as a “cloud bouncer,” allowing authenticated users to obtain short-lived credentials called security tokens. These tokens can then be used to access various AWS services and resources, ensuring secure access without the need for long-term credentials. With STS, you can issue temporary security credentials to trusted entities such as IAM users, federated users, or even external applications. This provides better protection since these credentials automatically expire after a specified duration, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or misuse.
What’s the AWS STS Example?
Now, imagine you’ve got a web application that enables users to always upload files directly to an Amazon S3 bucket. To ensure secure access, you can use STS to generate temporary credentials for your users. First, the user logs in to your application and provides their credentials. Your application then sends these credentials to AWS STS API using the AssumeRoleWithWebIdentity function. In response, STS generates temporary security tokens – Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, and Session Token. Your application can now provide these temporary tokens to the user’s browser or mobile app, enabling them restricted access only within their session duration. This way, you maintain tight control over who has access and for how long.
By using this simple example of file uploads with AWS STS and its ability to issue temporary security tokens, you can enhance the security of your applications while providing seamless user experiences.
What’s the Difference Between STS and IAM Roles?
STS is primarily focused on providing temporary security credentials that can be used to access only AWS resources. It enables users or applications to request short-lived tokens, which have a maximum duration of 12 hours. These tokens are then used to authenticate and authorize access to specific resources within an AWS account. On the flip side, IAM Roles provide a way to delegate permissions in AWS accounts. They define what actions can be taken on specified resources by trusted entities such as users or services. By assigning roles, you can avoid sharing long-term security credentials like access keys with multiple entities, improving security posture and simplifying management.
All in all, with STS, you can delegate access to resources across accounts, assume roles with federated identities, and even control access to sensitive data through temporary credentials. So, start exploring the possibilities offered by AWS STS today and take control of your cloud security like never before.
