Setting up a secure AWS environment can feel overwhelming, especially for those new to cloud architecture and security. Striking the right balance between providing developers the flexibility they need and protecting the overall cloud tenancy is critical. To address this, AWS has been advocating a multi-account strategy as a best practice for several years.

AWS Control Tower, combined with an SSO system, makes managing multiple accounts much more straightforward. This approach allows developers to work within isolated sandbox accounts while keeping sensitive data and production workloads securely segregated in separate accounts. It also simplifies compliance and auditing processes.

In this article, we’ll dive into AWS Control Tower, explore its key features, and highlight the advantages it brings to multi-account management.

What is a multi-account tenancy?

A multi-account tenancy in AWS is a cloud architecture strategy where multiple AWS accounts are organized under a single management structure to enhance security, governance, and resource isolation.

Who should use a multi-account tenancy?

Organizations of all sizes that require enhanced security, governance, resource isolation, or scalability—such as enterprises, startups, and businesses with multiple teams, projects, or regulatory compliance needs—should use a multi-account tenancy in AWS.

Why a multi-account tenancy?

A multi-account tenancy provides structured governance, security, and compliance, allowing your organization to scale efficiently and securely. Key benefits include:

• Simplified Governance: Centralized control across all AWS accounts ensures streamlined management.
• Enhanced Security: Built-in controls enforce security best practices and prevent misconfigurations.
• Compliance Assurance: Adherence to regulatory requirements is built into the tool’s architecture.
• Operational Efficiency: Automation reduces manual effort and minimizes errors in account creation and policy enforcement.

Which AWS services are involved?

AWS Control Tower is a service used for setting up and managing multi-account AWS environments. The following services also contribute to creating a cohesive and well-governed multi-account strategy:

• AWS Organizations serves as the backbone by enabling account hierarchy, consolidated billing, and governance using Service Control Policies (SCPs).
• AWS Single Sign-On (AWS SSO) simplifies access management by centralizing user roles and permissions across all accounts, ensuring secure and seamless login experiences.
• AWS Service Catalog allows administrators to define and distribute pre-approved resource templates.
• AWS Config continuously monitors resource configurations and enforces compliance with organizational policies.
• AWS Security Hub aggregates and prioritizes security findings across accounts for a unified threat landscape view.
• AWS Control Tower Account Factory streamlines the creation of new accounts by applying predefined templates that adhere to governance requirements.
• AWS Backup ensures data protection by centralizing and automating backup policies across the environment.

Setting up multi-account environments in AWS can be complex. Cyber Node assists businesses in implementing AWS Control Tower based on their specific needs and compliance requirements. Our professionals provide guidance throughout the entire process to ensure effective implementation.

For organizations looking for assistance in setting up AWS Control Tower, Cyber Node’s cloud security experts are here to ensure your AWS environment is secure, compliant, and ready to scale. Just visit our website at cybernode.au or send us an email at sales@cybernode.au today to get started!