The Types of AWS Accounts

 

1. Root Account:

The root account is created when you first sign up for AWS. It has complete access to all AWS services and resources. It's crucial to secure this account with strong credentials and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access.

2. IAM User Accounts:

IAM (Identity and Access Management) allows you to create and manage users within your AWS account. IAM users have specific permissions and access to AWS resources based on policies assigned to them. They don't have the same level of privileges as the root account unless explicitly granted.

3. AWS Organizations Account:

AWS Organizations is a service that enables centralized management of multiple AWS accounts. It allows you to create and manage groups of accounts, automate account creation, apply policies across accounts, and consolidate billing. This is useful for enterprises managing numerous AWS accounts.

4. Member Accounts:

Within AWS Organizations, member accounts are the individual AWS accounts that are part of the organization. These accounts can have their own IAM users, resources, and billing settings. They can be managed centrally by the organization's master account.

5. Linked Accounts:

Linked accounts are AWS accounts that are associated with a primary AWS account. This association is typically established for billing and payment purposes. For example, a company may have multiple departments, each with its own AWS account linked to a central billing account.

6. AWS Gov Cloud (US) Account:

AWS Gov Cloud is an isolated AWS region designed to host sensitive data and regulated workloads for U.S. government agencies and organizations in highly regulated industries. To access Gov Cloud, you need a separate AWS Gov Cloud account.

7. AWS China (Beijing) and AWS China (Ningxia) Accounts:

AWS operates regions in China that are separate from its global infrastructure due to regulatory requirements. To use AWS services in China, you need an AWS China account. These accounts are subject to Chinese government regulations and policies.

8. AWS Education Accounts:

AWS offers special programs and benefits for educational institutions and students. AWS Educate provides access to AWS services and resources for learning, teaching, and research purposes. Educational institutions can apply for AWS Education accounts to avail of these benefits.

Each type of AWS account serves different purposes and comes with its own set of features and restrictions. Understanding these distinctions is essential for effectively managing AWS resources and ensuring security and compliance.