prowler/docs/tutorials/aws/getting-started-aws.md

Getting Started with AWS on Prowler Cloud/App

Set up your AWS account to enable security scanning using Prowler Cloud/App.

Requirements

To configure your AWS account, you’ll need:

1. Access to Prowler Cloud/App
2. Properly configured AWS credentials (either static or via an assumed IAM role)

---

Step 1: Get Your AWS Account ID

1. Log in to the AWS Console
2. Locate your AWS account ID in the top-right dropdown menu

---

Step 2: Access Prowler Cloud/App

1. Navigate to Prowler Cloud or launch Prowler App

2. Go to Configuration > Cloud Providers

   

3. Click Add Cloud Provider

   

4. Select Amazon Web Services

   

5. Enter your AWS Account ID and optionally provide a friendly alias

   

6. Choose your preferred authentication method (next step)

   

---

Step 3: Set Up AWS Authentication

Before proceeding, choose your preferred authentication mode:

Credentials

• Quick scan as current user ✅
• No extra setup ✅
• Credentials time out ❌

Assumed Role

• Preferred Setup ✅
• Permanent Credentials ✅
• Requires access to create role ❌

---

🔐 Assume Role (Recommended)

This method grants permanent access and is the recommended setup for production environments.

=== "CloudFormation"

1. Download the [Prowler Scan Role Template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/prowler-cloud/prowler/refs/heads/master/permissions/templates/cloudformation/prowler-scan-role.yml)

    ![Prowler Scan Role Template](./img/prowler-scan-role-template.png)

    ![Download Role Template](./img/download-role-template.png)

2. Open the [AWS Console](https://console.aws.amazon.com), search for **CloudFormation**

    ![CloudFormation Search](./img/cloudformation-nav.png)

3. Go to **Stacks** and click `Create stack` > `With new resources (standard)`

    ![Create Stack](./img/create-stack.png)

4. In **Specify Template**, choose `Upload a template file` and select the downloaded file

    ![Upload a template file](./img/upload-template-file.png)
    ![Upload file from downloads](./img/upload-template-from-downloads.png)

5. Click `Next`, provide a stack name and the **External ID** shown in the Prowler Cloud setup screen

    ![External ID](./img/prowler-cloud-external-id.png)
    ![Stack Data](./img/fill-stack-data.png)

    !!! info
        An **External ID** is required when assuming the *ProwlerScan* role to comply with AWS [confused deputy prevention](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/confused-deputy.html).

6. Acknowledge the IAM resource creation warning and proceed

    ![Stack Creation Second Step](./img/stack-creation-second-step.png)

7. Click `Submit` to deploy the stack

    ![Click on submit](./img/submit-third-page.png)

=== "Terraform"

To provision the scan role using Terraform:

1. Run the following commands:

    ```bash
    terraform init
    terraform plan
    terraform apply
    ```

2. During `plan` and `apply`, you will be prompted for the **External ID**, which is available in the Prowler Cloud/App UI:

    ![Get External ID](./img/get-external-id-prowler-cloud.png)

> 💡 Note: Terraform will use the AWS credentials of your default profile.

---

Finish Setup with Assume Role

8. Once the role is created, go to the IAM Console, click on the ProwlerScan role to open its details:

   

9. Copy the Role ARN

   

10. Paste the ARN into the corresponding field in Prowler Cloud/App

    

11. Click Next, then Launch Scan

    

---

🔑 Credentials (Static Access Keys)

You can also configure your AWS account using static credentials (not recommended for long-term use):

=== "Long term credentials"

1. Go to the [AWS Console](https://console.aws.amazon.com), open **CloudShell**

    ![AWS CloudShell](./img/aws-cloudshell.png)

2. Run:

    ```bash
    aws iam create-access-key
    ```

3. Copy the output containing:

    - `AccessKeyId`
    - `SecretAccessKey`

    ![CloudShell Output](./img/cloudshell-output.png)

> ⚠️ Save these credentials securely and paste them into the Prowler Cloud/App setup screen.

=== "Short term credentials (Recommended)"

You can use your [AWS Access Portal](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/singlesignon/latest/userguide/howtogetcredentials.html) or the CLI:

1. Retrieve short-term credentials for the IAM identity using this command:

    ```bash
    aws sts get-session-token --duration-seconds 900
    ```

    ???+ note
        Check the aws documentation [here](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/sts_example_sts_GetSessionToken_section.html)

2. Copy the output containing:

    - `AccessKeyId`
    - `SecretAccessKey`

    > Sample output:
        ```json
        {
            "Credentials": {
                "AccessKeyId": "ASIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE",
                "SecretAccessKey": "wJalrXUtnFEMI/K7MDENG/bPxRfiCYzEXAMPLEKEY",
                "SessionToken": "AQoEXAMPLEH4aoAH0gNCAPyJxz4BlCFFxWNE1OPTgk5TthT+FvwqnKwRcOIfrRh3c/LTo6UDdyJwOOvEVPvLXCrrrUtdnniCEXAMPLE/IvU1dYUg2RVAJBanLiHb4IgRmpRV3zrkuWJOgQs8IZZaIv2BXIa2R4OlgkBN9bkUDNCJiBeb/AXlzBBko7b15fjrBs2+cTQtpZ3CYWFXG8C5zqx37wnOE49mRl/+OtkIKGO7fAE",
                "Expiration": "2020-05-19T18:06:10+00:00"
            }
        }
        ```

> ⚠️ Save these credentials securely and paste them into the Prowler Cloud/App setup screen.

Complete the form in Prowler Cloud/App and click Next

Click Launch Scan