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In this guide, you’ll learn how to enable and use AWS IAM Identity Center to centrally manage user and group access across multiple AWS accounts and cloud applications.

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Prerequisites

  • An AWS Organizations management account
  • Permissions to manage IAM Identity Center and AWS Organizations
IAM Identity Center can only be enabled from your organization’s management account. Member accounts cannot enable or configure it.

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Enabling IAM Identity Center

  1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console with your management account.
  2. In the top search bar, type IAM Identity Center and select it:
The image shows the AWS Console Home with a search for "IAM Identity Center," displaying services like IAM Identity Center, IAM, Cloud9, and Amazon CodeWhisperer.
  1. Click Enable.
  2. Choose your identity source:
    • Connect an existing directory (AWS Managed Microsoft AD, AD Connector, or external IdP)
    • Use the built-in Identity Center directory
  3. After activation, create users and groups (if using the built-in directory), then assign permission sets to your AWS accounts or cloud applications.

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IAM vs. IAM Identity Center

When you go to the IAM console and click Create user, selecting Provide console access will direct you to specify an Identity Center user:
The image shows a webpage from the AWS Management Console, specifically the "Specify user details" section for creating a new user in IAM. It includes fields for entering a username and options for providing console access.
Use the following table to decide between IAM users and IAM Identity Center:
CapabilityIAM UserIAM Identity Center
Console access across accountsManual per accountCentralized via permission sets
Programmatic access (access keys)YesNo (create separate IAM users)
Service-specific credentialsYesNo
External identity federationLimitedBuilt-in SAML and OIDC support
Multi-account role assignmentsManualAutomated through a single portal
Reserve IAM users for programmatic or service-specific credentials. For scalable, centralized console access across multiple accounts, adopt IAM Identity Center.

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References

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