AWS Shield
AWS Shield is a managed Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection service that Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers to its customers. It provides automatic, always-on protection against common, network, and application layer DDoS attacks, safeguarding applications running on AWS.
History and Development
AWS Shield was introduced by AWS in 2016 to help combat the growing threat of DDoS attacks on web applications. Here are some key milestones:
- 2016: AWS Shield Standard was launched, providing basic DDoS protection at no additional cost for all AWS customers.
- 2017: AWS Shield Advanced was introduced, offering more advanced DDoS attack mitigation capabilities, visibility, and 24/7 access to AWS DDoS Response Team (DRT).
Components of AWS Shield
AWS Shield comprises two tiers:
- Standard - Included for all AWS customers at no additional charge, offering protection against the most common, frequently occurring network and transport layer DDoS attacks.
- Advanced - An optional, paid service with enhanced capabilities:
- Visibility into attacks through detailed reporting and attack forensics.
- Access to the AWS DDoS Response Team (DRT) for real-time assistance during attacks.
- Integration with other AWS services like AWS WAF for custom rules and Route 53 for DNS-level protection.
- Cost protection against high-volume DDoS attacks to prevent unexpected usage spikes.
Features
- Automatic Attack Detection and Mitigation: AWS Shield automatically detects and mitigates DDoS attacks with minimal customer intervention.
- Layer 3 to 7 Protection: Offers protection across the network, transport, and application layers of the OSI model.
- Global Scrubbing Centers: Utilizes AWS's global infrastructure to distribute and mitigate DDoS attack traffic.
- Real-time Visibility: Provides real-time attack visibility through the AWS Management Console or APIs.
- Integration with Other AWS Services: Works seamlessly with services like Amazon CloudFront, Elastic Load Balancing, Amazon EC2, Amazon Route 53, and AWS Global Accelerator for comprehensive protection.
Context and Usage
AWS Shield is crucial for businesses of all sizes, particularly those that rely heavily on online presence and transactions. It helps in:
- Preventing service disruptions caused by DDoS attacks.
- Ensuring availability of critical applications.
- Reducing the need for complex, in-house DDoS mitigation systems.
- Providing cost protection to mitigate the financial impact of large-scale attacks.
External Links
Related Topics