AWS Control Tower

AWS Control Tower is a service that automates the setup and governance of a secure, multi-account AWS environment. It is important because it simplifies the process of creating and managing multiple AWS accounts while ensuring compliance with best practices and company policies.

What is AWS Control Tower?
AWS Control Tower is a managed service that provides a pre-configured environment for creating and governing multiple AWS accounts. It sets up a landing zone, which is a well-architected, multi-account baseline environment based on best practices. Control Tower also includes guardrails, which are pre-built policies and configurations that enforce security, compliance, and operational standards across all accounts.

How does AWS Control Tower work?
1. Setting up a landing zone: Control Tower creates a landing zone with a master account, security accounts, and a set of core accounts for common functions like logging and shared services.
2. Enrolling accounts: New or existing AWS accounts can be easily enrolled in the landing zone, inheriting the guardrails and policies automatically.
3. Applying guardrails: Control Tower provides a set of mandatory and optional guardrails that enforce policies across all accounts. These guardrails can be customized to fit specific requirements.
4. Monitoring and reporting: Control Tower provides a centralized dashboard for monitoring the status of accounts and guardrails, as well as generating compliance reports.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on AWS Control Tower
1. Understand the key features and benefits of AWS Control Tower, such as automated setup, guardrails, and centralized governance.
2. Know the components of a Control Tower landing zone, including the master account, security accounts, and core accounts.
3. Be familiar with the types of guardrails (mandatory and optional) and how they enforce policies across accounts.
4. Recognize scenarios where AWS Control Tower would be a suitable solution, such as when an organization needs to manage multiple accounts with consistent security and compliance standards.