AWS Security Fundamentals: Protecting Data and Infrastructure — PickAClass
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⏱ 3h 📚 28 lessons

AWS Security Fundamentals: Protecting Data and Infrastructure

Master AWS security essentials by learning how to configure key pairs, secure parameters, manage secrets, and apply zero-trust principles to protect your cloud infrastructure.

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About this course

Securing cloud infrastructure and sensitive data is a critical requirement for any modern organization operating in AWS. Without proper protection, credentials, API keys, and server access are vulnerable to unauthorized exposure. This written course guides you through the fundamental principles of AWS security, teaching you how to safeguard infrastructure and manage sensitive data. You will gain a clear understanding of key management, secure parameter storage, and secrets lifecycle management to keep your cloud environment secure. What you'll learn: 1. Understand foundational AWS security concepts, including zero-trust architecture and credential management. 2. Configure and manage EC2 key pairs to establish secure connections to cloud instances. 3. Store and retrieve configuration data safely using AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store. 4. Secure sensitive API keys and database credentials with AWS Secrets Manager. 5. Apply modern security best practices, including credential rotation and access control principles. You will start by exploring core cloud security terminology and foundational concepts before moving on to step-by-step written explanations for configuring key pairs, managing parameters, and securing secrets. This course is designed for beginners who are new to cloud security and AWS, requiring no prior experience in infrastructure protection. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in protecting cloud data and infrastructure.

Course contents

5 modules · 28 lessons · 3h

1 Security Foundations & Terminology
Establish a core understanding of cloud security principles and the AWS security landscape. 5 lessons · 35 min
  1. Introduction to AWS Security
    Overview of why security is the top priority in the cloud.    6 min
  2. Essential Cloud Security Terminology
    Defining key terms like IAM, Encryption, and Compliance.    7 min
  3. Understanding Zero-Trust Architecture
    The shift from perimeter security to 'never trust, always verify'.    7 min
  4. The Shared Responsibility Model
    Distinguishing between security 'of' the cloud and security 'in' the cloud.    7 min
  5. The Basics of Credential Management
    Why managing identities and keys is critical for infrastructure protection.    8 min
2 Securing Compute with EC2 Key Pairs
Learn how to configure and manage secure access to cloud instances. 5 lessons · 35 min
  1. What are EC2 Key Pairs?
    Understanding asymmetric encryption for instance access.    6 min
  2. Creating and Configuring Key Pairs
    Step-by-step process of generating keys in the AWS Console.    7 min
  3. Secure Storage for Private Keys
    Best practices for keeping .pem and .ppk files safe on your local machine.    7 min
  4. Connecting to Instances Securely
    Using SSH and key pairs to establish an authorized connection.    8 min
  5. Managing and Rotating Key Pairs
    How to update keys to prevent long-term exposure risks.    7 min
3 Configuration Management with Parameter Store
Master the use of AWS Systems Manager for non-sensitive and sensitive configuration data. 6 lessons · 36 min
  1. Intro to SSM Parameter Store
    Centralizing configuration data to avoid hardcoding values.    6 min
  2. Parameter Types: String vs. SecureString
    Choosing the right level of protection for your data.    6 min
  3. Storing Configuration Data Safely
    Creating parameters for application settings and environment variables.    7 min
  4. Organizing with Hierarchical Paths
    Using folder-like structures to manage hundreds of parameters.    6 min
  5. Retrieving Parameters
    How applications pull data from Parameter Store via CLI or SDK.    6 min
  6. Access Control for Parameters
    Using IAM policies to restrict who can read or write parameters.    5 min
4 Secrets Management for Sensitive Data
Implement robust protection for high-value secrets like API keys and DB credentials. 6 lessons · 36 min
  1. AWS Secrets Manager Overview
    When to use Secrets Manager instead of Parameter Store.    6 min
  2. Securing API Keys
    Storing third-party service keys away from source code.    6 min
  3. Protecting Database Credentials
    Special handling for RDS and other database login info.    6 min
  4. Encryption at Rest with KMS
    How AWS uses Key Management Service to wrap your secrets.    6 min
  5. Retrieving Secrets in Applications
    The programmatic way to fetch secrets at runtime.    6 min
  6. Version Management for Secrets
    Tracking changes and rolling back secret values if needed.    6 min
5 Lifecycle Management & Best Practices
Apply advanced security patterns to maintain a long-term secure posture. 6 lessons · 38 min
  1. The Secrets Lifecycle
    Understanding the stages from creation to deletion of a secret.    6 min
  2. Configuring Automatic Rotation
    Setting up Lambda functions to change passwords automatically.    7 min
  3. Monitoring Secret Usage
    Using CloudTrail to audit who accessed sensitive data and when.    6 min
  4. The Principle of Least Privilege
    Granting only the minimum necessary access to users and roles.    6 min
  5. Auditing Your Security Posture
    Tools and techniques for checking for exposed credentials.    6 min
  6. Modern Security Best Practices Summary
    A checklist for maintaining a secure AWS environment.    7 min
Final project

The Secure Cloud Infrastructure Blueprint

You will design a security plan for a web application that includes an EC2 instance and an RDS database. You must decide where to store the database password, how to connect to the instance, and how to handle API keys for a payment gateway.

What you'll get

  • 📜 Certificate of completion
    Add it to your LinkedIn profile
  • 💬 Personal AI tutor
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  • ♾️ Lifetime access
    Come back anytime, no expiry
  • 📱 Phone or computer
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  • 💸 14-day refund
    No questions asked
  • ⚡ Short & focused
    3h of practical content

Certificate of completion

Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.

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has successfully demonstrated mastery of
AWS Security Fundamentals: Protecting Data and Infrastructure
Skills demonstrated
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1.2 hrs
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1.4 hrs
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Performance detail
Coursework summary
Lessons completed 14 / 14
Practice questions 26 / 28
Assignments submitted 4 (avg 4.5 / 5)
Capstone project Reviewed — 4.6 / 5
Total practice 6.2 hrs
Performance benchmark
Cohort rank Top 12% of 1,625
Time to completion 11 days (median: 22)
Mastery score 91 / 100
Practice-question score 94%
Skill verification Verified Skill Path
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Issued under the academic standards of PickAClass. Skill levels reflect assessed performance against the course's competency rubric. This is an original credential of this platform.

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Frequently asked

What do I need to take this course? +

Just a phone or computer with internet. No installs, no special hardware.

How do I pay? +

By card via Stripe. We don’t store card details — Stripe handles them securely.

Can I get a refund? +

Yes — full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.

How long will I have access? +

Forever. Once you purchase, the course is yours to revisit anytime.

Will I get a certificate? +

Yes. On completion you'll receive a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile.

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