AWS IAM Policies: Identity-Based and Resource-Based Permissions

Securing cloud resources requires a precise understanding of who can access what, and why. Managing permissions in AWS starts with mastering Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies, the foundational building blocks of cloud security. This comprehensive text-based course guides you from basic security concepts to confidently structuring and troubleshooting AWS policies. You will learn how to interpret JSON policy documents, distinguish between identity-based and resource-based permissions, and apply modern access control strategies to protect your cloud infrastructure. What you'll learn: - Understand the core syntax and structural elements of AWS IAM policy documents - Differentiate between identity-based policies and resource-based policies in practice - Apply the principle of least privilege to minimize security risks - Implement Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) using resource and session tags - Evaluate policy evaluation logic to determine how AWS resolves conflicting permissions - Test and troubleshoot policy configurations using written scenarios and evaluation rules We begin with foundational IAM concepts and JSON syntax before diving into policy design. You will explore real-world scenarios, comparing how permissions flow when attached to users versus resources like S3 buckets. This course is designed for aspiring cloud administrators, developers, and security beginners, with no prior AWS security experience required. Start reading today to secure your cloud environments with confidence.