Connect your Cloud

Secure Cloud Resource Management Using AWS CloudFormation

AWS CloudFormation:

AWS CloudFormation is Amazon's Infrastructure as Code (IaC) service that helps you model and set up your AWS resources securely. Think of it as a way to create a blueprint of your cloud infrastructure that:

• Automates resource creation

• Manages security permissions

• Ensures consistent setup

• Provides detailed tracking of changes

Scoutflo using CloudFormation for Account Connection:

Traditional cloud integrations often require you to:

• Create permanent IAM users.

• Generate and share access keys.

• Manage key rotation.

• Handle security permissions manually

This approach poses several risks:

• Permanent credentials could be compromised

• Manual key rotation is error-prone

• Excessive permissions might be granted

• Security audit challenges

Our CloudFormation integration solves these challenges by:

• Creating temporary credentials that expire in 30 minutes

• Automating credential renewal when needed

• Implementing precise permission controls

• Providing clear audit trails

Set Up your Cloud Formation keys:

The Connection Flow

1. Initial Setup

   • You provide AWS account details

   • Our platform generates a CloudFormation template

   • Template creates necessary IAM roles with specific permissions

2. Security Process

   • CloudFormation creates temporary security credentials

   • Credentials automatically expire after 30 minutes

   • Platform requests new credentials when needed

   • No permanent access keys are stored

3. Resource Management

   • Platform uses temporary credentials to create resources

   • Each operation gets fresh credentials if needed

   • All actions are logged and traceable

   • You maintain full control over permissions

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

Starting the Connection

• Navigate to "My Cluster" > Click on the "+ Add Cluster".

• A modal will be opened where you have to click on the "Create a Cluster".

• You will be redirected to the Cluster creation screen.

• You will be able to see the 'Cloud Credentials' section, where you have to select the Credentials you will be using for creating this cluster.

• When you click on the drop down down it will open all the currently added credentials.

• And if you have not added any credentials yet, click on the "+ Add New" CTA button.

• You will be redirected to the Credentials integrations screen where all connected cloud accesses will be listed.

On this screen of "Cloud Connection":

• Click "New Connection"

• Select "AWS" as your cloud provider

• Other providers (GCP, Azure) are coming soon.

• You'll need to provide the following Connection Details:

1. Credential Name

   • Must be unique across your account

   • Examples:

     • prod-aws-useast1

     • dev-aws-euwest2

   • Cannot reuse previously used names

2. AWS Account Number

   • Your 12-digit AWS account identifier

   • Found in your AWS account settings

• After clicking "Create", you'll be redirected to the AWS CloudFormation Console:

1. Template Information

   • Pre-configured CloudFormation template

   • Stack description explaining the purpose

   • Automatically generated stack name

2. Parameters

   • ScoutfloIdentifier: Your unique platform identifier

   • ScoutfloUserId: Your platform user ID

   • Already filled in - no action needed

3. Permissions Section

   • IAM role creation acknowledgment

   • Required for secure access setup

Creating the Stack

Important actions on the AWS Console:

1. Review Details

   • Verify template information

   • Check parameter values

2. Acknowledge IAM Creation

   • Find the checkbox:

     I acknowledge that AWS CloudFormation might create IAM resources with custom names

   • Must be checked '👍' to proceed
3. Initiate Creation

   • Click "Create Stack" button

   • Process typically takes 1-2 minutes

Verification Process

Our platform will:

1. Monitor stack creation progress

2. Display a 120-second countdown

3. Verify the connection

4. Show success confirmation

Security Deep Dive

Temporary Credentials:

Our implementation uses AWS Security Token Service (STS) to:

• Generate time-limited credentials

• Automatically expire access after 30 minutes

• Create new credentials only when needed

• Maintain principle of least privilege

Permission Management

The created IAM role:

• Has specific, limited permissions

• Only allows required AWS services

• Includes automatic cleanup process

• Maintains detailed access logs

Final Confirmation:

1. Stack creates successfully

2. Connection shows as "Enabled"

3. Resources can be created immediately

4. Automatic credential management begins

• Once you have successfully added the credentials, you will be able to select the newly added credentials through the drop down on the Create Cluster screen.

Stack Creation Fails

• Check AWS permissions

• Verify account number

• Review error message in AWS Console

• Try again with same or new name

Connection Times Out

• Wait for full 120 seconds

• Check internet connectivity

• Verify AWS Console access

• Restart process if needed

Name Already Exists

• Choose new credential name

• Follow naming conventions

• Delete old unused credentials

Additional Resources:

• AWS CloudFormation Documentation
• IAM Security Best Practices
• AWS Security Token Service