EC2 Instance with Public IP

Overview

The EC2 Instance with Public IP insight identifies EC2 instances in your environment that are assigned public IP addresses. Instances with public IPs are directly accessible over the internet, increasing their exposure to potential security threats. Monitoring and managing public IP assignments is crucial for maintaining a secure and efficient cloud infrastructure.

Why It Matters

For IT Engineers:

1. Visibility into Publicly Accessible Instances:

   • Provides a comprehensive list of instances with public IPs, enabling quick identification of externally accessible resources.

   • Simplifies tracking of public IP usage to ensure it aligns with operational requirements.

2. Cost Management:

   • Helps monitor and optimize the usage of public IP addresses to avoid unnecessary charges.

3. Resource Allocation:

   • Assists in validating whether instances with public IPs are correctly configured for their intended purpose.

For Security Engineers:

1. Attack Surface Reduction:

   • Highlights instances exposed to the internet, allowing engineers to review and restrict access to reduce security risks.

   • Promotes best practices by encouraging the use of private IPs combined with secure connectivity solutions like VPNs or bastion hosts.

2. Compliance Enforcement:

   • Ensures adherence to organizational policies that may prohibit or limit the use of public IPs for sensitive workloads.

   • Provides clear insights to address findings in security audits related to public accessibility.

3. Anomaly Detection:

   • Identifies unexpected public IP assignments that could signal misconfigurations or unauthorized actions.

By utilizing the EC2 Instance with Public IP insight, IT and Security Engineers can maintain control over their public-facing infrastructure, reduce risks, and ensure compliance with security standards and policies.