AWS Shield Pricing: Breakdown and Examples

Looking for DDoS protection on AWS? AWS Shield offers two tiers: Standard (free) and Advanced ($3,000/month). Here’s what you need to know:

Key Features:

• AWS Shield Standard (Free):
  • Automatic protection against common DDoS attacks (Layer 3/4).
  • Covers resources like EC2, CloudFront, and Route 53.
  • No additional cost.
• AWS Shield Advanced ($3,000/month):
  • Enhanced protection, including Layer 7 attacks.
  • 24/7 access to a DDoS Response Team.
  • Cost protection for unexpected DDoS-related expenses.

Quick Comparison:

Which Tier Should You Choose?

• Start with Standard if you run non-critical applications or have a limited budget.
• Upgrade to Advanced for enterprise apps, sensitive data, or strict compliance needs.

Tip: Combine AWS Shield with tools like AWS WAF and CloudFront for added security. Choose the right tier based on your application’s importance and budget.

1. AWS Shield Standard Features and Costs

Pricing Structure

AWS Shield Standard is available at no additional cost for all AWS accounts.

Features and Protection

Even though it’s free, AWS Shield Standard offers several key protections:

• Always-on detection: Monitors network traffic continuously to spot potential DDoS attacks.
• Automatic mitigation: Defends against common layer 3 and 4 attacks automatically.
• Infrastructure safeguards: Protects resources like Amazon EC2, Elastic Load Balancing (ELB), Amazon CloudFront, AWS Global Accelerator, and Route 53.
• Network flow monitoring: Analyzes traffic patterns in real-time to identify anomalies.
• AWS WAF integration: Works with AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall) for added security, though AWS WAF has separate pricing.

Managing Costs

1. Infrastructure Costs
   Keep expenses under control during DDoS events by taking these steps:
   • Limit the number of auto-scaling instances.
   • Set up CloudWatch alarms to track unusual traffic spikes.
   • Use rate limiting in your applications to avoid resource overload.
2. Additional Security Services
   For more comprehensive protection, consider budgeting for these complementary services:

   Service	Purpose	Pricing Model
   AWS WAF	Protects against layer 7 attacks	Pay per rule and request
   Amazon CloudWatch	Provides monitoring and alerts	Pay per metric and alarm
   AWS CloudTrail	Logs security audit activities	Pay per event logged

3. Resource Optimization
   Maximize efficiency and protection by:
   • Spreading resources across multiple Availability Zones.
   • Using Amazon CloudFront to cache and filter traffic.
   • Activating VPC Flow Logs for focused monitoring.
   • Configuring security groups effectively.

How to estimate your AWS Shield Advanced costs | Amazon …

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2. AWS Shield Advanced Features and Costs

AWS Shield Advanced offers an upgraded layer of protection compared to the Standard tier. It’s designed for businesses that need stronger security measures and better cost control. Here’s what it includes:

• Advanced DDoS Protection
  Shield Advanced provides stronger defenses against multi-layer attacks, real-time monitoring for quicker responses, and tighter integration with AWS WAF to secure your applications.
• 24/7 DDoS Response Team
  Gain round-the-clock access to a dedicated team of experts who can provide customized mitigation strategies and detailed post-attack analysis.
• Cost Protection
  Shield Advanced includes tools to help manage and reduce unexpected expenses caused by DDoS attacks.

These features make Shield Advanced a compelling choice for organizations requiring enhanced security measures. Let’s take a closer look at how it compares to the Standard tier.

AWS Shield Standard vs Advanced Comparison

Here’s a breakdown of how AWS Shield Standard and Advanced compare:

Choosing the Right Tier

AWS Shield Standard works well for:

• Small to medium-sized businesses with straightforward security needs
• Applications with moderate or predictable traffic
• Development and testing environments
• Websites where uptime isn’t critical

AWS Shield Advanced is better suited for:

• Enterprise applications that demand robust security
• E-commerce platforms handling sensitive customer transactions
• Healthcare systems requiring strict compliance
• Financial services applications
• Media streaming platforms needing high availability

Key Considerations

When deciding between the two, focus on:

• How critical your application is to your business
• Any compliance or security standards you need to meet
• Whether your budget can accommodate the $3,000 monthly fee

For businesses handling sensitive data or requiring uninterrupted service, the added protection from Shield Advanced often justifies the cost.

Summary and Recommendations

When deciding whether to use AWS Shield, consider your security requirements and budget. Think about your risk tolerance and how a DDoS attack might affect your operations.

Based on the earlier feature comparison, weigh the $3,000/month Advanced tier fee against factors like:

• Business Continuity: How much would downtime cost your business?
• Data Protection: What is the value and sensitivity of your data?
• Compliance Requirements: Do you need to meet specific industry security standards?
• Infrastructure Scale: How large and complex is your AWS deployment?

Choosing the Right Tier

• Start with Standard if you:
  • Run non-critical applications
  • Have a limited security budget
  • Manage development or testing environments
  • Are new to AWS
• Upgrade to Advanced if you:
  • Handle sensitive or critical data
  • Operate in industries with strict regulations
  • Need 24/7 support
  • Can’t afford downtime, even briefly

For optimal security, combine AWS Shield with the additional security measures discussed earlier. If your organization deals with sensitive data or faces frequent attacks, the Advanced tier’s cost protection feature can act as a safeguard against DDoS-related expenses, especially for unpredictable traffic patterns.

Related posts

• Cloud-Based DDoS Pricing Models: Explained
• Understanding Costs in Pay-As-You-Go DDoS Models
• Cloud DDoS Mitigation vs On-Premise Solutions
• AWS Auto Scaling Security Best Practices