AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store is a secure, hierarchical storage service for configuration data and secrets management. It provides a centralized location to store and manage configuration values, database strings, passwords, API keys, and other sensitive information that your applications nee…AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store is a secure, hierarchical storage service for configuration data and secrets management. It provides a centralized location to store and manage configuration values, database strings, passwords, API keys, and other sensitive information that your applications need at runtime.
Parameter Store offers two types of parameters: Standard parameters (free tier with up to 10,000 parameters per account) and Advanced parameters (supporting larger values up to 8KB and parameter policies). Parameters can be stored as String, StringList, or SecureString types, with SecureString encrypting sensitive data using AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
Key features include hierarchical organization using path-based naming conventions (e.g., /production/database/password), which enables logical grouping and access control at different hierarchy levels. Version control is built-in, allowing you to track parameter changes and roll back when necessary.
Integration with other AWS services makes Parameter Store particularly valuable for SysOps administrators. It works seamlessly with EC2, ECS, Lambda, CloudFormation, and other Systems Manager capabilities like Run Command and State Manager. Applications can retrieve parameters programmatically using the AWS SDK or CLI.
For deployment and automation scenarios, Parameter Store enables dynamic configuration management. You can reference parameters in CloudFormation templates, automate parameter updates through CI/CD pipelines, and ensure consistent configurations across multiple environments (development, staging, production) by using different parameter paths.
Security best practices include using IAM policies to restrict parameter access, enabling encryption for sensitive values, and implementing parameter policies for Advanced parameters to handle expiration notifications and forced updates.
Parameter Store also supports cross-account and cross-region access patterns, making it suitable for complex multi-account AWS architectures. The service integrates with AWS CloudTrail for auditing parameter access and modifications, providing compliance and security monitoring capabilities essential for enterprise environments.
Systems Manager Parameter Store
What is Systems Manager Parameter Store?
AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store is a secure, hierarchical storage service for configuration data management and secrets management. It allows you to store data such as passwords, database strings, Amazon Machine Image (AMI) IDs, and license codes as parameter values. You can store values as plain text or encrypted data using AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
Why is Parameter Store Important?
Parameter Store is crucial for several reasons:
• Centralized Configuration Management: Store all your application configuration in one place, making it easier to manage across multiple environments • Security: Sensitive data can be encrypted at rest using KMS keys, ensuring secrets are protected • Version Control: Parameter Store maintains a history of parameter changes, allowing you to track and audit modifications • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other AWS services like EC2, Lambda, ECS, CloudFormation, and CodeDeploy • Cost-Effective: Standard parameters are free, making it an economical choice for configuration management
How Parameter Store Works
Parameter Types: • String: Plain text data • StringList: Comma-separated list of values • SecureString: Encrypted data using KMS keys
Parameter Tiers: • Standard Tier: Up to 10,000 parameters, 4KB maximum size, free of charge • Advanced Tier: More than 10,000 parameters, 8KB maximum size, parameter policies supported, charges apply
Hierarchical Structure: Parameters can be organized using a hierarchical path structure like: /production/database/password /development/database/password
This allows you to retrieve parameters by path and manage permissions at different levels.
Parameter Policies (Advanced Tier): • Expiration: Set parameters to expire after a specified date • ExpirationNotification: Receive notifications before expiration • NoChangeNotification: Get alerts if a parameter has not been modified within a specified time
Common Use Cases
• Storing database connection strings • Managing API keys and passwords • Storing AMI IDs for EC2 instances • Configuration management across environments • Storing license keys
Key Features to Remember
• Parameters can reference the latest AMI ID using public parameters • Supports cross-account access through IAM policies and resource-based policies • Can be used with AWS CloudFormation dynamic references • Supports labels for parameter versions • Integrates with AWS CloudTrail for auditing API calls
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Systems Manager Parameter Store
• SecureString vs Secrets Manager: When a question asks about simple encrypted storage with no rotation requirement, Parameter Store SecureString is likely the answer. Secrets Manager is better for automatic rotation of credentials
• Cost considerations: If the question emphasizes cost-effectiveness for storing configuration data, Parameter Store Standard tier is the answer since it is free
• Hierarchical access: Questions about granting access to parameters based on environment or application should focus on IAM policies with path-based conditions
• Parameter size limits: Remember Standard tier supports 4KB, Advanced tier supports 8KB. If larger storage is needed, consider S3
• Integration scenarios: Parameter Store integrates natively with EC2 Run Command, State Manager, and other Systems Manager capabilities
• Encryption: SecureString parameters use KMS for encryption. The default key is the AWS managed key, but you can specify a customer managed key
• Cross-account scenarios: Parameter Store supports cross-account access through IAM policies
• Version history: Parameter Store automatically maintains version history, useful for rollback scenarios
• Public parameters: AWS provides public parameters for latest AMI IDs, which is useful for automation