Using AWS: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting It Right

Managing data can be daunting for businesses.  

You must secure it in warehouses, implement security measures, and localize it for better latency. Let’s not forget the cost concerns that trickle in with owning data infrastructure and servers. 

That’s where cloud computing services help. Instead of physically owning a facility, you can rent their services to compute, store, and process data on demand. 

One of the most popular cloud computing platforms in this space is Amazon Web Services (AWS). Several AWS consulting services assist in setting up and operationalizing the cloud platform. 

But let’s be real, understanding the basics of AWS can be a bit of a maze for beginners. Considering its huge range of services and tools, many aspects of AWS also require an understanding of networking and databases. 

If you’re new to AWS, this article will walk you through the basics of AWS and how to get started with it step-by-step. Besides, you’ll learn the best practices for improving AWS performance.

Cloud computing solutions, including AWS, provide a ton of benefits for entities. By adopting cloud services, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint by more than 84%. All this while saving costs, centralizing data security, and enhancing customer experience. 

A startup can grow fast and cost-effectively by renting services of AWS without making heavy investments in infrastructure. Even government agencies can use it to localize databases and provide public services more efficiently. 

AWS services are also suitable for solopreneurs and individual developers, letting them deploy applications without owning or managing servers. This means you can focus more on innovating and making strategic decisions without worrying about managing servers.

To get started with AWS, let’s first explore the array of services it provides, which address diverse use cases: 

Scaling smart or paying the price: Advantages and disadvantages of AWS

Knowing the pros and cons allows you to easily weigh its utility based on the needs of your organization, available budgets, complexity of operations, and scaling plans. 

What works

Let’s start with the good stuff. Here’s how AWS can give your organization a serious edge when it comes to flexibility, performance, and growth.

• Dispersed data centers: AWS has a global network of data centers that can help secure your data. AWS has 36 geographic regions where it clusters data centers, with 114 availability zones. While choosing your solution you can choose the region and the zone you want your data to be distributed in. 
• Security: The cloud service offers security features like: 
  • Encrypted data storage capabilities 
  • Multi-factor authentication 
  • Compliance with GDPR 
  • AWS key management system to locate user keys in one location 
  • Firewall protection 
  • 24/7 security support 
• Scalability and flexibility: AWS is suitable for businesses of all sizes, including startups and enterprises. The custom features options let growing businesses scale without disruption to legacy structures. You can also select the programming language or database on AWS, depending on your business needs for services like computing, storage, networking, databases, analytics, and machine learning. 

What doesn't 

But while AWS has a lot going for it, there are some trade-offs to consider especially when it comes to cost, complexity, and long-term scalability.

• Steep learning curve: Operating AWS comes with a steep learning curve. Developing skills in it could be time-consuming and require resources. Without a beginner’s guide to operating AWS, users can find it difficult to operate. 
• Vendor lock-in: This can make it difficult for users to migrate to another cloud provider in case of dissatisfaction or a shift in business priorities. The extensive integration of multiple services and potential data dependencies potentially increase switching costs. 
• Limited control: Being a cloud-based service, AWS doesn’t allow users to control the underlying infrastructure. Although data is encrypted and stored with AWS, this lack of sovereignty over data can be a cause for concern for transnational enterprises. 

How to use AWS: A step-by-step guide for beginners

Setting up AWS is easier than it looks! Here’s a simple step-by-step from creating an account to enabling authorizations and security features! 

Step 1: Sign up

To create an account on the AWS website, you need to:

• Enter your contact details on the login portal (will be verified later.)
• After setting up your password, select the account type as either ‘professional’ or ‘personal’ according to your purpose.
• Choose a payment method, which could be a credit or debit card. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make any payments yet. AWS offers many free services under AWS Free Tier.
• Pick from three main support plans: basic (free), developer, and business.

Source: AWS

Step 2: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

To prevent unauthorized access, activate MFA. It is like having two latches on the door instead of one!

The most convenient way is to use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator, which will generate a code for you when you log in. Even if someone steals your credentials and password, they can’t log in without this authentication code.

Source: AWS

Step 3: Create IAM users and roles 

The root user account you have just created has full access and must be protected at all costs. By creating identity and access management (IAM) users and groups, you can grant permissions for specific roles with limited access.

If you’re adding other user profiles, give only those privileges that are required for their job roles.

Source: AWS

Step 4: Configure billing and budgeting 

Prevent unexpected costs and charges by creating budget alerts, wherein AWS notifies you when you cross defined budget limits. For example, if you set up a budget of $10 per month, you will be notified by AWS via email before the cost limit is crossed.

Cost Explorer is another tool to monitor expenditures.

Source: AWS

Step 5: Set up AWS Command Line Interface (CLI)

This can be used to automate repetitive tasks and save time. Instead of using a web interface, here, you interact with AWS services through text-based commands. Download and install the AWS CLI from their official website.

Source: AWS

Step 6: Select your default region and access key services 

Go through the AWS regional services list and pick your default region, as it influences service availability. AWS offers many powerful tools, like EC2, which provides you with virtual servers or S3 for storage purposes.

Source: AWS

Step 7: Enhance security

AWS offers you many security options to keep your critical information secure. It is like having locks and security alarms for your house. Applications like CloudTrail can help you track and review every activity on your account.

Source: AWS

Congratulations! You have just completed setting up and configuring your AWS account. To ensure optimized performance, operational reliability, and effective security, let’s uncover a few best practices for your AWS account.

AWS best practices for beginners

When you start deploying AWS at your organization, certain best practices can help you secure data, explore use cases both horizontally and vertically, and quickly realize an ROI on the services. These are: 

Account security 

• Avoid using the root account for day-to-day tasks and grant permission to other users on a least-privilege basis. You can use AWS key management services (KMS) for data encryption. One simple yet effective best practice is to periodically change your account credentials.
• Add a layer of security by enabling MFA.
• Enable AWS GuardDuty to monitor malicious activities and threats.

Customize your account for performance and stability 

• Distributing load traffic with a load balancer, such as an elastic load balancer, can be helpful, especially for traffic from multiple sources.
• Optimize catching by using services like CloudFront or ElastiCache.
• Choose appropriate storage classes from Amazon’s S3 based on the access patterns of the data.

Improve cost-effectiveness

• Analyze why and where you are spending using a cost explorer.
• Test the cost-effectiveness of services for free by using the AWS Free Tier segment.
• Monitor usage with AWS Budgets and set up billing alarms.
• Regularly track the ROI on your AWS investments and periodically review how it’s helping you achieve business goals.

Secure backup

• Use Amazon CloudWatch to monitor the performance and set up alarms to flag anomalies.
• Enable AWS CloudTrail to track API calls or changes to your environment for auditing and compliance.
• Use AWS backup to ensure critical data is backed up.
• Periodically test disaster recovery workflows by validating their effectiveness.

For network and application development 

• Place critical resources in private subnets within your VPC to limit access.
• Deploy the design using multiple availability zones. 
• Use AWS Lambda for serverless applications.
• Decouple applications by using services like SQS and SNS.

How AWS consulting services can help you get started

Implementing and running an AWS account can be overwhelming for many beginners. This is where the AWS consulting services help you set up. 

Buyers can select a consulting service based on their industry type, use cases and budgets. Some services run globally too and can help scale businesses. 

What's the role for an AWS consulting service? 

Here’s what an AWS consulting service can help you with!

• Analyze the infrastructure and cloud needs of your organization and tailor solutions.
• Assist in configuring and optimizing security and performance with AWS to make it more cost-effective.
• Provide constant support and guidance to implement best practices.
• Help entities in contingencies such as security breaches and data leaks. 

Benefits of choosing AWS consulting service

AWS consulting service offers many benefits, including:

• AWS consultants help accelerate your cloud adoption. This can make you realize a faster ROI on investments and reduce downtime. 
• You experience enhanced security as consultants configure features to suit your organization. Consultants can help you identify and mitigate potential threats and ensure compliance with security and privacy regulations. 
• They help you identify and tap into cost-saving opportunities. These include right-sizing opportunities and effective resource allocation. 

How to choose AWS consulting service?

You can visit software marketplaces such as G2 to find a reliable service based on genuine user reviews. 

• Check for service ratings left by users
• Review their comments, highlighting the pros and the cons 
• Ensure they serve your industry  
• Compare prices and offerings across service providers 

You can also find consultancy services through the AWS partner network (APN), which has a global partner network of consultancy firms and service providers. Many freelance providers also offer services. You can find them on platforms like Freelancer, Upwork, and LinkedIn.

Before onboarding them, check for their credentials, including expertise and experience for your project size and type. Communicate your requirements to them with implementation timelines. Make sure their pricing is transparent and fits your budget.

Frequently asked questions on AWS

Have more questions? Find the answers here. 

Q1. What is AWS? 

Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing platform that lets you compute and store data without owning any physical data infrastructure. You can avail of their databases in multiple locations. 

Q2. Can beginners set up AWS? 

Yes, AWS is beginner-friendly. Users must start by understanding its fundamentals, including services offered, available plans, scaling options, security features, and support options. Next, they can follow a step-by-step guide for implementation. 

Q3. What are the pros and cons of using AWS? 

AWS comes with advantages such as a global infrastructure with multiple data centers, a broad range of services and scalability options. Yet, it has disadvantages too, such as a steep learning curve for users, vendor lock-in requirements, and compatibility challenges. 

Q4. What are AWS consulting services? 

AWS consulting services help organizations and individuals set up and use the cloud platform. They help improve its performance, unlock new use cases, and come to your rescue in case of contingencies. 

Examine business needs

When you start from the basics, implementing AWS doesn’t seem overwhelming anymore.  AWS offers a variety of solutions for multiple use cases. Entities must first conduct a needs assessment for cloud computing across functions and examine whether AWS’s offerings would help meet the needs and the business goals.  

If you're running a local business with minimal IT needs or you're already invested in other platforms (like Microsoft’s ecosystem via Azure), AWS might be more than you need. The key takeaway here is to examine where your business is headed, not just where it is now. Cloud solutions like AWS are powerful, but only if they align with your business vision and capacity to make the most of them.

So ask yourself not just, “Can we use AWS?” but also, “Does AWS move us closer to where we want to be?” That mindset will serve you far better than any checklist or feature comparison – and it’s how cloud adoption becomes strategy, not just setup.

Secure your AWS infrastructure by addressing risks early with smart vulnerability management practices.