Introduction to AWS and Cloud Security Fundamentals — PickAClass
⏱ 3h 📚 30 lessons 🎧 Audio version

Introduction to AWS and Cloud Security Fundamentals

Master the basics of AWS infrastructure, core services, and essential cloud security principles through clear, step-by-step written lessons.

  • 💬 AI instructor
    Ask about any lesson and get a clear answer instantly, anytime.
  • 🕐 Start anytime
    No schedules or deadlines — learn at your own pace, whenever suits you.
  • 🌐 In English
    Lessons, tasks and certificate — all fully in your language.

About this course

Transitioning to the cloud requires a solid understanding of how virtual infrastructure and security operate. This text-based course guides you through the foundational concepts of AWS with a strong focus on cloud security best practices. By the end of this course, you will transition from having zero cloud knowledge to confidently understanding AWS core services, data flows, and essential security controls. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational cloud computing models and the global AWS infrastructure. - Configure basic Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies following least-privilege principles. - Secure virtual networks using virtual private clouds, security groups, and network access control lists. - Explore core AWS compute and storage services, including EC2 and S3, with security in mind. - Apply modern Zero Trust concepts to cloud resource access and monitoring. - Practice identifying cloud security risks through written architectural scenarios. The course begins with essential cloud terminology and architectural definitions before progressing to configuration concepts and security design principles. It is designed specifically for beginners with no prior cloud experience who want to build a secure foundation in cloud computing. Start reading today to build your cloud security skill set.

Course contents

6 modules · 30 lessons · 3h

1 Cloud Foundations & Global Infrastructure
Understand what the cloud is and how AWS is physically and logically organized.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Welcome to the Cloud
    Transitioning from traditional IT to cloud thinking.
    5 min
  2. Cloud Service Models
    Differentiating between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
    6 min
  3. The Shared Responsibility Model
    Understanding what AWS secures vs. what you secure.
    7 min
  4. Regions and Availability Zones
    How AWS infrastructure provides high availability.
    6 min
  5. Edge Locations and Global Reach
    How data is delivered closer to users securely.
    6 min
2 Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Learn to control who can do what in your AWS environment.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. IAM Core Components
    Defining Users, Groups, and Roles.
    6 min
  2. Anatomy of an IAM Policy
    Understanding JSON policy structures (Effect, Action, Resource).
    6 min
  3. The Principle of Least Privilege
    Granting only the permissions necessary for a task.
    7 min
  4. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
    Adding a critical layer of security to identities.
    5 min
  5. IAM Best Practices
    Summary of secure identity management habits.
    6 min
3 Networking & VPC Security
Build and secure a virtual network environment.
6 lessons · 36 min
  1. VPC Basics
    Defining your private space in the AWS cloud.
    6 min
  2. Subnets and Routing
    Organizing resources into public and private areas.
    6 min
  3. Security Groups
    Using stateful firewalls to protect individual instances.
    6 min
  4. Network ACLs
    Using stateless rules to protect entire subnets.
    6 min
  5. SG vs. NACL
    Choosing the right tool for network traffic control.
    6 min
  6. Internet and NAT Gateways
    Controlling how resources talk to the outside world.
    6 min
4 Secure Compute and Storage
Deploy EC2 and S3 with security as a priority.
6 lessons · 36 min
  1. EC2 Security Basics
    Securing virtual servers with Key Pairs and Instance Profiles.
    6 min
  2. Patching and Hardening EC2
    Keeping the operating system and software secure.
    6 min
  3. S3 Security Fundamentals
    Protecting data in object storage from public access.
    6 min
  4. S3 Bucket Policies and ACLs
    Fine-grained control over data access.
    6 min
  5. Encryption at Rest and Transit
    Protecting data using AWS KMS and TLS.
    6 min
  6. S3 Versioning and MFA Delete
    Preventing accidental or malicious data loss.
    6 min
5 Zero Trust & Monitoring
Apply modern security concepts and maintain visibility.
4 lessons · 24 min
  1. Introduction to Zero Trust
    Moving away from 'perimeter-only' security.
    6 min
  2. Identity as the New Perimeter
    How Zero Trust applies to AWS resource access.
    6 min
  3. Monitoring with CloudWatch
    Tracking performance and security metrics.
    6 min
  4. Auditing with CloudTrail
    Logging every API call for security accountability.
    6 min
6 Risk Identification & Case Studies
Practice identifying risks and designing secure solutions.
4 lessons · 24 min
  1. Common Cloud Security Risks
    Identifying misconfigurations and credential leaks.
    6 min
  2. Scenario: The Exposed Database
    Analyzing a written scenario to find network flaws.
    6 min
  3. Scenario: The Over-Privileged App
    Analyzing a written scenario to find IAM flaws.
    6 min
  4. Building a Secure Foundation
    Reviewing the security checklist for new AWS accounts.
    6 min
Final project

Secure Cloud Architecture Design Challenge

You are presented with a business requirement to host a web application. You must write a security design document that specifies the VPC structure, IAM policies, and storage protections needed.

What you'll get

  • 📜 Certificate of completion
    Add it to your LinkedIn profile
  • 💬 Personal AI tutor
    Stuck on a lesson? Ask your built-in tutor anything, any time.
  • 🎧 Audio version included
    Learn on the go — no screen needed
  • ♾️ Lifetime access
    Come back anytime, no expiry
  • 📱 Phone or computer
    Works anywhere, any device
  • 💸 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.

P
PickAClass
Skills profile · verifiable
Document
Certificate of Mastery
This certifies that
Name Surname
has successfully demonstrated mastery of
Introduction to AWS and Cloud Security Fundamentals
Skills demonstrated
✓
Behavioral pattern analysis
Foundational
1.2 hrs
✓
Decision-architecture frameworks
Proficient
1.4 hrs
✓
A/B test design
Proficient
1.7 hrs
✓
Behavioral copywriting
Advanced
1.9 hrs
P
PickAClass — Name Surname
Introduction to AWS and Cloud Security Fundamentals
Page 2 of 2
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
Verify this credential
pickaclass.com/certificates/PCC-2026-X4F7-AP19
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.

Reviews

No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.

Write a review

☆☆☆☆☆
You'll be asked to sign in after sending — your draft is saved.

Learners also took

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.

Built for learners in
Tech Design Finance Marketing Healthcare Education Hospitality Manufacturing