SOA-C02 VCE Exam Download

To automate the process of disabling unused IAM user accounts that have not been active for 90 days, using an AWS Config managed rule with an AWS Systems Manager automation runbook is the most operationally efficient method.

Set Up AWS Config Managed Rule:

Open the AWS Config console.

Create a rule using the managed rule iam-user-no-policies-check.

Configure the rule to trigger when IAM users have not been active for 90 days.

AWS Systems Manager Automation Runbook:

Create a Systems Manager automation document (runbook) to disable the access keys for inactive IAM users.

Use the aws:executeAutomation action to disable access keys and passwords.

Schedule the Automation:

Use Amazon EventBridge (formerly CloudWatch Events) to schedule the automation to run periodically.

References:

AWS Config Managed Rules

AWS Systems Manager Automation

Scheduling AWS Systems Manager Automation

The MixedInstancesPolicy feature in Auto Scaling groups allows for the configuration of both On-Demand and Spot Instances within a single Auto Scaling group, balancing cost savings and high availability:

MixedInstancesPolicy: Enables configuration to maintain a minimum of three On-Demand Instances and add Spot Instances when prices drop, without the need to create separate launch templates.

Setting Maximum Spot Price: Ensures that additional Spot Instances are launched only when within the defined budget.

This solution offers the least management overhead, as it combines both On-Demand and Spot instances seamlessly in one configuration.

If an EC2 instance does not appear in the Systems Manager Session Manager list, it is likely because the instance does not have an attached IAM role that allows Session Manager to connect.

Attach IAM Role with Necessary Permissions:

Ensure the EC2 instance has an IAM role attached with the AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore policy.

Steps to Attach IAM Role:

Open the EC2 console, select the instance, and choose "Actions" -> "Instance Settings" -> "Attach/Replace IAM Role."

Select or create an IAM role with the necessary permissions for Session Manager.

Permissions for Session Manager:

The AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore policy provides the required permissions for the Systems Manager agent to interact with the Systems Manager service.

References:

Session Manager Prerequisites

Attach an IAM Role to an Instance

 Lambda Function to Rotate IAM Access Keys:

A Lambda function can be used to automate the rotation of IAM access keys based on their age.

Steps:

Write a Lambda function that checks the age of IAM access keys.

The function should rotate keys that are at least 30 days old.

Deploy the Lambda function.

 Amazon EventBridge Rule:

EventBridge can trigger the Lambda function periodically and when a new key is created.

Steps:

Create an EventBridge rule that triggers the Lambda function on a schedule (e.g., daily) and on IAM key creation events.