Getting Started with AWS Config in Minutes.

Introduction.

In today’s fast-evolving cloud landscape, staying on top of changes in your AWS environment is more critical than ever. Whether you’re managing a small infrastructure or overseeing a large-scale enterprise deployment, visibility and control over your resources can make all the difference between smooth operations and unexpected issues. That’s where AWS Config steps in—a powerful service that helps you assess, audit, and evaluate the configurations of your AWS resources over time. With AWS Config, you gain a detailed inventory of your AWS assets, track changes, and even monitor compliance with internal policies or external regulations. It’s an essential tool for anyone who cares about cloud governance, security, and operational excellence.

But despite its power, many AWS users overlook AWS Config or delay setting it up, often because they assume it’s complex or unnecessary. In reality, setting up AWS Config is straightforward—and the benefits it brings can pay off almost immediately. Whether you’re preparing for an audit, setting up security best practices, or just want to know when someone modifies an EC2 instance or deletes a security group, AWS Config can help. It’s designed not only to record and snapshot your resource configurations but also to notify you of changes and track compliance automatically. Think of it as the black box of your cloud infrastructure—quietly observing, documenting, and keeping you informed.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to set up AWS Config step by step. We’ll explain the key concepts you need to understand, including configuration recorders, delivery channels, resource types, and AWS Config rules. You’ll learn how to use the AWS Management Console for a simple setup, and we’ll also touch on how to automate the process using the AWS CLI or Infrastructure as Code tools like CloudFormation or Terraform. No matter your level of AWS experience, this guide will help you understand what AWS Config is, why it matters, and how to get it running in your environment today.

By the end of this walkthrough, you’ll be able to confidently set up AWS Config and start taking advantage of its powerful monitoring and compliance features. Whether you’re a cloud architect, developer, DevOps engineer, or compliance officer, this foundational knowledge will help you build more secure and manageable AWS environments. So, let’s get started—and take the first step toward better cloud visibility with AWS Config.

Step 1: Sign in to AWS

Go to the AWS Management Console and log in.

Step 2: Open AWS Config

1. In the console, type “Config” in the search bar.
2. Select AWS Config from the results.

Step 3: Set Up AWS Config

Click “Get started” (if it’s your first time).

You’ll need to configure three main things:

1. Resource types to record

Choose:

• Record all resources supported in this region (recommended), or
• Select specific resource types (e.g., EC2, S3, IAM roles).

2. AWS Config role

AWS Config needs permissions. Either:

• Let AWS create a role for you (default and easiest).
• Or choose an existing IAM role with AWSConfigRole permissions.

3. Delivery method

Config stores configuration snapshots and compliance history in an S3 bucket:

• You can create a new bucket, or
• Use an existing bucket.

Optionally, set up Amazon SNS notifications for changes.

Step 4: Enable AWS Config Rules (Optional)

AWS Config can evaluate resource compliance using rules:

• You can add managed rules (like checking if S3 buckets are encrypted).
• Or create custom rules using AWS Lambda.

Step 5: Review and Confirm

Click Confirm and AWS Config will start recording your resources.

Use the AWS CLI or CloudFormation

If you’re automating, here’s a basic CLI example:

aws configservice put-configuration-recorder \
  --configuration-recorder name=default,roleARN=arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/AWSConfigRole,recordingGroup={allSupported=true,includeGlobalResourceTypes=true}

aws configservice put-delivery-channel \
  --delivery-channel name=default,s3BucketName=my-config-bucket

aws configservice start-configuration-recorder \
  --configuration-recorder-name default

Would you like help with setting up a specific rule or automating it with Terraform or CloudFormation?

Conclusion.

Setting up AWS Config may seem like just another checkbox in your AWS to-do list, but in reality, it plays a foundational role in maintaining visibility, accountability, and control across your cloud environment. From tracking resource changes and understanding configuration history to enforcing compliance through customizable rules, AWS Config empowers teams to manage infrastructure more confidently and securely. Whether you’re aiming for better audit readiness, improved governance, or simply peace of mind knowing that nothing in your environment changes without you knowing about it—AWS Config is a tool you’ll want in your toolbox.

By following the steps in this guide, you’ve taken a critical step toward building a more resilient, transparent, and well-governed AWS environment. As your infrastructure scales and evolves, AWS Config will continue to provide the insights and control you need to stay one step ahead of misconfigurations or drift. Don’t stop here—explore AWS Config Rules, integrate with AWS Security Hub or AWS Organizations, and keep leveling up your cloud monitoring strategy.

Remember: in the cloud, what you don’t see can hurt you. With AWS Config, you get the visibility to see it all—clearly, consistently, and in real time.