Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Architecture & DesignInfrastructure as Code (IaC) means defining your cloud infrastructure in configuration files that can be version-controlled, reviewed, tested, and deployed automatically. Instead of clicking through the AWS console, you write code that describes your desired state.
AWS IaC Tools
- AWS CloudFormation: native AWS, JSON/YAML templates
- AWS CDK: define infrastructure in TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, Go
- Terraform: multi-cloud, HCL syntax, largest ecosystem
Security Benefits
- Code review for infrastructure changes (catch misconfigs before deployment)
- Version control - audit trail of who changed what
- Consistent environments - no configuration drift between staging and production
- Automated scanning - tools like checkov, trivy, cfn-nag can catch security issues in IaC
Related AWS Services
Related Terms
A preventive or detective control that enforces security boundaries across AWS accounts, implemented through SCPs, AWS Config rules, or Security Hub standards.
Meeting regulatory requirements and industry standards (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, CIS) for data protection, access control, and security practices in the cloud.
Toc Consulting: AWS Security & Cloud Architecture
Securing your AWS estate?
Our team helps engineering teams secure and architect AWS the right way: assessment in week one, a prioritized action plan in week two.