AWS - IAM

Introduction to AWS Identity and Access Management

Demo Creating AWS Account

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to set up a brand-new AWS account for your HR team. We’ll cover:

  • Creating and verifying a root user
  • Signing in for the first time
  • Accessing the AWS Management Console

Step 1: Navigate to the AWS Homepage

  1. Open your browser and go to https://aws.amazon.com.
  2. In the top-right corner, click Create an AWS Account.

The image shows an AWS signup page where users can enter their root email address and account name to create a new AWS account. There is also an option to sign in to an existing account.

Note

Ensure you’re using a secure and private network when creating your AWS root account.


Step 2: Provide Root User Email and Account Name

On the signup form:

  • Under Root user, enter the email address that HR will manage:
    [email protected]
    
  • Under Account name, choose a clear identifier:
    HR
    
  • Click Verify email address.
    You’ll receive a one-time code—enter it to confirm your email.

Step 3: Sign In as the Root User

  1. Return to https://aws.amazon.com and click Sign In.
  2. Select Root user (since no IAM users exist yet).
  3. Enter the same email you used during signup, then click Next.

The image shows an AWS sign-in page with options for root and IAM user login, alongside a promotional section for AWS Skill Builder offering access to over 500 free digital courses.


Step 4: Authenticate and Access the Console

  1. Enter your chosen password at the prompt.
  2. Click Sign In.
  3. You’ll land on the AWS Management Console as the root user.

Warning

Your root user has full account access. Avoid using these credentials for everyday tasks. After setup, create an IAM admin user and assign least-privilege permissions.


AWS Account Setup Overview

User TypeDescriptionBest Practice
Root userFull access to all AWS resourcesUse only for billing, support, and setup tasks
IAM userPermission-scoped user accountsAssign roles and policies for daily operations

Next Steps

  • Create IAM users and groups for HR staff
  • Attach appropriate policies (e.g., AmazonS3ReadOnlyAccess)
  • Enable MFA on your root and admin accounts

References

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