AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) is one of the most important services in AWS — and also one of the most confusing for beginners.
When people first start learning AWS, IAM often feels abstract: users, roles, policies, permissions, JSON documents. Because of this, many beginners make small mistakes that can later turn into serious security or operational problems.
In this article, I’ll walk through some of the most common AWS IAM mistakes beginners make, explain why they happen, and share simple ways to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Using the root user for daily work
One of the most common beginner mistakes is using the AWS root account for everyday tasks.
The root user has unrestricted access to everything in the AWS account. If its credentials are compromised, the entire account is at risk.
Why beginners do this
- The root account is created first
- It “just works” for everything
- IAM concepts are not yet clear
What to do instead
- Create an IAM user or use IAM roles for daily work
- Lock away the root user
- Enable MFA on the root account and use it only when absolutely necessary
Think of the root user as an emergency key — not something you carry around every day.
Mistake #2: Granting AdministratorAccess too early
Many beginners attach the AdministratorAccess policy to their IAM user because it avoids permission errors and makes learning easier — at least in the beginning.
While this is convenient, it defeats the purpose of IAM.
Why this is risky
- Full access increases blast radius
- Accidental actions can cause damage
- It builds bad security habits early
Better approach
- Start with limited permissions
- Grant access only to the services you are learning
- Gradually expand permissions as needed
This follows the principle of least privilege: give only what is required, nothing more.
Mistake #3: Hardcoding AWS credentials in code
Another common mistake is putting AWS access keys directly into application code, configuration files, or Git repositories.
This is especially dangerous if the code is shared or pushed to a public repository.
Why this happens
- It feels simple and quick
- Tutorials sometimes oversimplify
- Beginners are not aware of alternatives
How to avoid it
- Use IAM roles for applications running on AWS
- Use environment variables for local development
- Never commit access keys to version control
If credentials leak, attackers can use them silently — sometimes for months — without you noticing.
Mistake #4: Copying IAM policies without understanding them
It’s very tempting to copy IAM policy JSON from blogs, forums, or examples and paste it directly into AWS.
While this might “fix” a permission error, it can also introduce unnecessary or dangerous permissions.
Common problems
- Policies allow more actions than needed
- Wildcards (*) are overused
- No understanding of what the policy actually does
Safer approach
- Read policies line by line
- Start small and expand gradually
- Ask: What action does this allow? On which resource?
You don’t need to master IAM JSON immediately, but you should understand the intent of every policy you attach.
Mistake #5: Not enabling MFA for IAM users
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of the simplest and most effective security measures in AWS — yet many beginners skip it.
Why MFA matters
- Passwords can be guessed or leaked
- MFA adds a second layer of protection
- Even if credentials are compromised, MFA can stop misuse
What to do
- Enable MFA for the root user
- Enable MFA for IAM users with console access
- Prefer virtual MFA apps for ease of use
Security doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
Final thoughts
AWS IAM can feel overwhelming at first, but most problems come from a handful of common mistakes. By avoiding these early on, you build strong security habits that will benefit you throughout your cloud journey.
You don’t need to be a security expert to use IAM correctly. Learn step by step, question permissions you don’t understand, and prioritize safety over convenience.
I write and share content like this to help beginners understand AWS concepts without fear or confusion. If you’re learning AWS, you’re not alone — and making mistakes is part of the process, as long as you learn from them.