【Table of contents】

1. 1. Overview
2. 2. What is AWS?
   • a) Strengths and advantages of AWS
   • b) How to use AWS?
3. 3. What is AWS WAF?
   • a) Advantages of using AWS WAF
4. 4. Conclusion

• 1. Overview

  Now that Internet-based work has become commonplace, many businesses are using cloud services to increase efficiency and expand their business. In particular, services belonging to "cloud computing" have many advantages and possibilities and they are beginning to penetrate as a system that should be checked by all businesses.

  In this article, we'll focus on "AWS", one of the most famous cloud computing services, and check its appeal and how to use it for beginners.

  Let's take this opportunity to implement AWS and find a way to radically change the way you work at the workplace.

• 2. What is AWS?

  AWS, which stands for "Amazon Web Services," is a cloud computing service provided by "Amazon.com", the world's leading e-commerce site.

  Originally, IT infrastructure was created for the purpose of solving business problems within Amazon.com internally, and in 2006, there was a background of applying that technology and deploying it externally as a web service.

  Practical technology and systems developed in-house at Amazon.com have benefited many companies, and the service is now so large that it has more than one million monthly active customers in more than 190 countries around the world. Its share is growing in Japan, and in 2018, NTT Data announced that it will utilize and promote AWS company-wide.
  The introduction of AWS by major companies in Japan was a good start, and the range of businesses using AWS has been expanding since then. Other well-known companies such as Toshiba, Dentsu, Kao, Nestle, JINS, KDDI, and DNA have inroduceded AWS and are using it to expand their businesses and reduce costs.

  It can be judged that AWS has already been recognized as a common service not only overseas but also domestically in Japan.
  There have been many reports of successful implementation at universities, and the diversity of users is also attracting attention.
  In addition to web services, AWS will continue to be a target of consideration for any company that has implemented various systems in its own business.

  Reference: https://aws.amazon.com/solutions/case-studies/

  • a) Strengths and advantages of AWS

    AWS lists the following five points as "strengths" that it can present.

    ・ Support for security standards including ISO 27001, SOC, PCI DSS, etc.
    ・ More than 3,000 new services and functional improvements have been implemented.
    ・ Continuous return of profits to users
    ・ Realization of fault tolerance and high availability
    ・ User base for easy consultation on system construction

    In addition to these strengths,

    "Ease of implementation",
    "Use of resources that can be reduced and expanded to meet demand",
    "Pay-as-you-go system where you're billed only for what you use".

    With these features, you will be able to make various changes to your current work environment by using AWS.

    Together with the above mentioned strengths, AWS cloud computing can offer the following specific advantages by providing virtual servers (databases, storage, applications, etc.)

    ・ Improving the speed of overall operations
    ・ Reduction of fixed costs
    ・ Reducing the need to forecast infrastructure capacity
    ・ Improved efficiency and reduced stress through simple operation

    Although these advantages are useful in many workplaces,, but the main use cases are "building websites," "creating backups," "big data analytics," "IoT-related," "business application development," and "web and mobile application development.

    But now the use of cloud computing, such as AWS, is not just limited to web-related industries, but is spreading to a wide range of businesses.

    If any of the advantages are of interest to you, AWS may be the best solution for you.

  • b) How to use AWS?

    You can easily get started with AWS by registering through the official site provided by Amazon.com.

    The service is free to use, so you can try it out first to see how it works and check the comfort.
    The free tier has a set deadline for each service, but most of them have a wide range of validity, such as "12 months free" or "unlimited free".
    It is also recommended if you want to consider a careful implementation because you can carefully check whether the system fits your company's system and work environment.

    AWS provides a variety of services for different purposes, and by understanding the characteristics of each service and how to use it, you will be able to benefit more from the services.
    Usage forms include "Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)", "Platform as a Service (PaaS)", and "Software as a Service (SaaS)".

    At first glance, it may seem complicated, but AWS helps you find the right environment with a chat feature that can answer questions about installation, has a blog to share information, and a variety of case studies, so anyone can put it into practice.

    If you don't know anything else, you can ask any questions you may have, so the implementation of AWS will be much easier than you might think.

• 3. What is AWS WAF?

  "AWS WAF" system is one of the most popular AWS systems that is attracting a lot of attention.
  In today's business world, where security issues frequently arise, advanced systems such as AWS WAF have become essential.
  There are many different services available on AWS, but we would recommend checking out the AWS WAF in particular and taking advantage of its benefits for your business.

  AWS WAF stands for "Web Application Firewall" provided by AWS and is a program responsible for the security of web applications.
  The ability to monitor and block malicious access will bring peace of mind and convenience for many sensitive companies.
  Since communication analysis at the application level is possible, it is also effective for specific matching with narrowed down conditions.

  For example, AWS WAF functions can be used for "SQL injection countermeasures", "Cross-site scripting countermeasures", "DDoS countermeasures (with AWS Shield)", "Access countermeasures by unauthorized bots", etc.

  In other words, AWS WAF is a tool that securely protects the security aspects of web applications, which is a problem these days.

  If you are looking for high security, we recommend you to consider AWS WAF, which has many case studies.

  • a) Advantages of using AWS WAF

    By using AWS WAF, users can get the following specific advantages.

    ・ Protection from many internet-borne threats
    ・ Deploying on Amazon CloudFront enables a WAF solution that combines the high availability and scalability of a CDN (Content Delivery Network).
    ・ Smooth introduction and ease of maintenance
    ・ Automation of security systems using API

    These advantages reduce the cost and time spent on security and create a more secure environment.

    In addition to considering the use of AWS, planning for the implementation of AWS WAF is also important when it comes to streamlining your business.

• 4. Conclusion

  Amazon.com is taking many businesses' operations to the next stage with AWS.
  Its advantages will continue to be utilized in a variety of industries, so why not take this opportunity to consider a full-scale implementation?

  Even if you don't have any specific knowledge of cloud computing, AWS can help you get started with the right support.
  Even if you are a beginner, you will be able to experience the actual implementation and the advantages that can be gained from it right away, so let's actively promote its use in your business.