Users with Direct KMS Access vs via Group

Overview

The "Users with Direct KMS Access vs via Group" widget compares the number of users who have direct access to AWS Key Management Service (KMS) with those who have access through an IAM group. This distinction is important for understanding whether access is being granted individually or through more controlled, group-based mechanisms.

Why It Matters

For IT Engineers:

1. Access Control:

   • Helps IT teams identify whether users are granted KMS access individually (direct) or through groups, allowing for better access control and permission auditing.

2. Operational Efficiency:

   • By managing group-based access, IT engineers can reduce administrative overhead and maintain clearer access management practices.

3. Simplified Management:

   • It is generally easier to manage access at the group level, and this widget helps to ensure that direct access is only granted when absolutely necessary.

For Security Engineers:

1. Risk Management:

   • Direct access to KMS may present higher risks than group-based access, as individual permissions can be overlooked or misconfigured. This widget highlights potential security gaps.

2. Policy Enforcement:

   • Helps ensure that security policies are being followed, especially the principle of least privilege, by reducing the number of users with direct KMS access.

3. Audit and Visibility:

   • Improves auditing capabilities by highlighting how users are granted KMS access, supporting better monitoring and compliance tracking.