Amazon Cybersecurity Initiatives
Security is our top priority, and we’re always looking for new ways to help our customers improve their security posture. In support of this, we announced two new security initiatives aimed at protecting organizations and individuals. Starting in October, we will offer our security training materials—originally developed by AWS for Amazon employees—to individuals and organizations to help keep them and their sensitive information safe. In addition, we will offer qualified AWS account holders a free multi-factor authentication (MFA) device designed to further secure their environments and protect their assets. Read our blog post and press release to learn more.
Overview
Amazon Cybersecurity Awareness training
People and organizations need security training to identify and keep themselves safe from security risks, and they often lack the time to take hours-long training courses, even when the courses are available and provide the right information. We designed the Amazon Cybersecurity Awareness training courses, used with our own employees, to anticipate and educate technology beginners and experts about key protections to protect themselves from possible security risks. Starting in October 2021, we offer this Cybersecurity Awareness training free of charge to organizations and individuals. Businesses and organizations can also build their own solutions on top of the Amazon training to suit their needs. The materials leverage proven neuroscience and adult learning principles to enhance content retention and are regularly updated as digital attack techniques evolve.
AWS Multi-Factor Authentication
For highly sensitive information, such as personal documents, proprietary customer information, and companies’ technology infrastructure assets, stronger tools are needed to protect data. For qualified AWS account holders, we offer a multi-factor authentication (MFA) device at no cost. Designed to augment your security plan and protect your most sensitive assets, this MFA device adds a layer of security to protect your AWS accounts, providing you with a stronger overall security posture. You will be able to use their MFA devices to safely access multiple AWS accounts, as well as other token-enabled applications.
FAQ
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Where can I can access these programs and how can I sign up?
The Amazon Cybersecurity Awareness Training is available at learnsecurity.amazon.com. To see if you qualify for MFA, visit visit our Free MFA security key webpage.
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What is Amazon Cybersecurity Awareness training?
The Amazon Cybersecurity Awareness training is focused on security best practices. Featuring a unique first-person perspective, it highlights actions to practice to help keep your data secure. Use this to educate employees on basic security training, begin your security journey, or supplement training you may already have.
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Is the Amazon Security Awareness Training available globally?
Yes, the text in the training is localized in the following 11 languages: Arabic (AR), Simplified Chinese (ZH-CN), Traditional Chinese (ZH-TW), English (EN), English ASL (EN-ASL), French (FR), Korean (KO), Russian (RU), Spanish (ES-XL), Tagalog (TL), and Vietnamese (VI). The training also features audio description options for English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Spanish languages.
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How will I be able to use or take the training?
The Security Awareness training will be available as a downloadable package that organizations can import into their own learning management system (LMS). Additionally, for organizations that do not have an LMS, the course will be available to complete online without an AWS account.
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What is multi-factor authentication (MFA)?
MFA is a method of verifying your identity by requiring you to present more than one piece of identifying information. MFA is a static process, which means that you have to complete the same set of authentication challenges every time you sign in. This method provides you with an additional layer of security, decreasing the likelihood of unauthorized access. The type of information (called authentication factors) required from you is typically two or more of the following:
Knowledge: Something you know - e.g. a password
Possession: Something you have - e.g. a mobile device, hardware token, or U2F security key
Inheritance: Something you unique to you - e.g. a fingerprint
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Who is eligible for the free MFA tokens?
The AWS MFA program is available for U.S. based root AWS account holders and U.S. based payer accounts.
Featured resources
Security Initiatives Blog
Amazon Security Awareness Training and AWS Multi-factor Authentication tokens to be made available at no cost.
Amazon Security Press Release
Amazon announced two new security initiatives that will help protect organizations and individuals from increasing security threats.