Introduction.
In today’s cloud-first world, security and controlled access are more crucial than ever. As organizations continue to scale their infrastructure on the cloud, the traditional perimeter-based security models are being replaced by more modern, identity-aware frameworks. One such development is AWS Verified Access, a security-focused feature that helps manage and control how users and devices access applications hosted in your Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)—without relying on a traditional VPN. Verified Access enhances both the user experience and security posture by granting access only to users who meet predefined criteria based on identity and device posture.
But what exactly is a Verified Access endpoint, and why should you consider using it in your AWS environment? Simply put, a Verified Access endpoint acts as a gatekeeper for applications running in your private VPC. Instead of exposing your internal services through public-facing interfaces or cumbersome VPNs, Verified Access allows users to connect securely through policies defined using AWS IAM, device trust conditions, and identity providers (IdPs). This means you can enforce zero-trust access patterns, making sure that only the right users with the right devices can access the right resources—every time.
Introduced by AWS as part of its zero trust initiative, Verified Access represents a shift toward contextual access management. It integrates seamlessly with services like AWS IAM Identity Center, AWS WAF, and external IdPs such as Okta or Azure AD. Using Verified Access endpoints, organizations can avoid blanket network-level access and instead focus on application-level protection. This is especially useful in industries with strict compliance requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government.
This blog post will walk you through the process of creating and configuring a Verified Access endpoint on your AWS VPC. Whether you’re a cloud engineer building secure access paths to internal dashboards, or a solutions architect looking to enforce security best practices across a hybrid workforce, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to implement AWS Verified Access efficiently. We’ll break down the steps needed to prepare your environment, integrate with an identity provider, define access policies, and finally create the Verified Access endpoint itself.
Before we dive into the technical steps, we’ll first cover the prerequisites and architecture. You’ll need a basic understanding of AWS networking, including VPCs, subnets, and security groups. You’ll also benefit from familiarity with IAM roles and policies, as well as experience with configuring domains in Route 53 or another DNS service, which is essential for routing access through Verified Access. We’ll also explore optional but recommended features like TLS certificates via ACM (AWS Certificate Manager) and CloudWatch logging, which can be helpful in monitoring and auditing access behavior.
By the end of this guide, you’ll not only understand the why behind using Verified Access, but you’ll also have a functional setup you can use to protect your applications without sacrificing performance or user convenience. We’ll ensure that each step is clearly explained, with code snippets, screenshots, and AWS CLI commands where applicable. Security no longer has to be a trade-off for productivity—with AWS Verified Access, you can confidently embrace both.
So let’s get started on building a secure, scalable, and identity-aware access solution for your AWS workloads using Verified Access endpoints.
STEP 1: Navigate the Verified Access endpoint.
- Click on create.
STEP 2: Enter the name.
STEP 3: Select the VPC and endpoint type.
STEP 4: Select security group and subnet.
Click on create.
Advantages.
Advantages of Using AWS Verified Access in VPC
- Zero Trust by Design
Verified Access enforces identity-based, context-aware access control, aligning with modern Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles. It eliminates implicit trust, ensuring that every access request is verified based on user identity and device security posture. - No VPN Required
One of the biggest pain points in traditional cloud access is VPN management. Verified Access allows users to securely access internal applications without the need for VPN clients, reducing complexity and improving user experience. - Improved Security Posture
Access is granted only to users and devices that meet strict authentication and posture requirements. This reduces the risk of lateral movement within your network and blocks unauthorized or compromised devices before they reach your services. - Granular Access Policies
Verified Access integrates with AWS IAM Identity Center and external identity providers to enforce detailed access policies based on roles, groups, or device trust levels. You can define access at a per-application level with fine-grained rules. - Seamless Integration with Identity Providers
Supports SAML 2.0, OIDC, and common IdPs like Okta, Azure AD, and Google Workspace, making it easier to use your existing identity stack for authentication and policy enforcement. - Scalability and Reliability
Built on AWS’s highly available infrastructure, Verified Access is designed to scale automatically with demand. This ensures reliable access even during high usage or across globally distributed teams. - Enhanced Monitoring and Auditing
Integration with Amazon CloudWatch and AWS CloudTrail provides full visibility into access attempts, successes, failures, and policy evaluations. This helps with compliance, security forensics, and operational auditing. - Custom Domain Support
You can configure custom domain names for each Verified Access endpoint, making the user experience smoother and helping with brand consistency and easier navigation. - TLS Encryption Built-In
All traffic is encrypted with TLS, and you can use AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) to manage SSL certificates, ensuring secure communication without additional overhead. - Cost-Effective and Operationally Efficient
With no VPN servers to manage, fewer support tickets, and automated scaling, Verified Access reduces operational burden and often lowers total cost of ownership (TCO) for secure remote access.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, AWS Verified Access is a powerful and forward-looking solution for securing access to internal applications hosted in your VPC. It offers a modern alternative to traditional VPNs by enforcing contextual, identity-aware access controls that align perfectly with zero trust architecture principles. By using Verified Access endpoints, you can reduce the attack surface of your applications, improve auditability, and enhance user experience—all without compromising on security.
Throughout this guide, we walked through the key steps to create a Verified Access endpoint in your AWS environment. From preparing your VPC and configuring identity providers, to defining access policies and testing the final setup, each step plays a vital role in ensuring a secure and functional deployment. Along the way, you’ve seen how AWS services like IAM, ACM, CloudWatch, and Route 53 all work together to make this possible. You now have the tools to implement this in your own environment and start reaping the benefits of simplified, policy-driven access control.
One of the most significant advantages of Verified Access is its flexibility. You can create granular access policies based on user roles, device compliance, location, or any combination of factors supported by your identity provider. This makes it an excellent fit for organizations with hybrid or remote workforces, and for teams that need to enforce stricter controls without increasing operational complexity.
As AWS continues to invest in zero trust capabilities, features like Verified Access will become more central to enterprise cloud strategies. If you’re building for scale, compliance, or simply better security hygiene, this is a feature worth exploring and integrating. Keep in mind that AWS is regularly updating its services, so it’s a good idea to stay current with the latest best practices, pricing changes, and feature releases.
By adopting Verified Access today, you’re positioning your infrastructure for the future—where secure, seamless access is expected, not optional. Whether you’re protecting internal dashboards, admin tools, or custom applications, Verified Access helps you do so with confidence, clarity, and control.
