AWS Security Groups vs AWS Network ACLs

Developers should learn AWS Security Groups when deploying applications on AWS to secure their infrastructure by restricting unauthorized access meets developers should learn and use aws network acls when designing secure vpc architectures that require granular subnet-level traffic control, such as isolating public and private subnets or implementing compliance requirements like pci-dss. Here's our take.

AWS Security Groups

Nice Pick

Developers should learn AWS Security Groups when deploying applications on AWS to secure their infrastructure by restricting unauthorized access

Pros

• They are essential for implementing the principle of least privilege in cloud environments, such as allowing only specific IPs to access a database or opening web ports for public-facing applications
• Related to: amazon-ec2, aws-vpc

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

AWS Network ACLs

Developers should learn and use AWS Network ACLs when designing secure VPC architectures that require granular subnet-level traffic control, such as isolating public and private subnets or implementing compliance requirements like PCI-DSS

Pros

• They are essential for scenarios where you need to block specific IP ranges, restrict traffic between subnets, or add an extra layer of defense beyond security groups, especially in multi-tier applications or regulated environments
• Related to: aws-vpc, aws-security-groups

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use AWS Security Groups if: You want they are essential for implementing the principle of least privilege in cloud environments, such as allowing only specific ips to access a database or opening web ports for public-facing applications and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use AWS Network ACLs if: You prioritize they are essential for scenarios where you need to block specific ip ranges, restrict traffic between subnets, or add an extra layer of defense beyond security groups, especially in multi-tier applications or regulated environments over what AWS Security Groups offers.

The Bottom Line

AWS Security Groups wins

Developers should learn AWS Security Groups when deploying applications on AWS to secure their infrastructure by restricting unauthorized access