AWS Artifact is Amazon Web Services’ no-cost, self-service portal for accessing and downloading AWS security and compliance documentation. This centralized repository provides on-demand access to AWS’ compliance reports, certifications, accreditations, and other third-party attestations.
Click here to visit AWS’ Artifact site: https://aws.amazon.com/artifact/getting-started/
AWS Artifact costs nothing to use. There are no fees for accessing or downloading any of the compliance documentation available through the service. This makes it an invaluable resource for organizations operating under strict regulatory requirements.
For organizations preparing for CMMC 2.0 or FedRAMP audits, AWS Artifact serves as a critical tool. If your service uses the AWS cloud, then Artifact provides valuable data that you can use to populate:
- AWS FedRAMP Security Packages (High, Moderate, Low)
- AWS System Security Plans (SSPs)
- Security assessment reports
- Penetration test results
- Plan of Action and Milestones (POAMs)
To leverage AWS Artifact effectively:
- Access the service through your AWS Management Console
- Review the AWS Shared Responsibility Model to understand which compliance aspects AWS covers versus your responsibilities
- Download relevant documentation to include in your audit evidence package
- Use AWS’s compliance mappings to identify which AWS services satisfy specific CMMC 2.0 or FedRAMP controls
- Create a compliance matrix mapping your inherited controls from AWS to your regulatory requirements
Remember that while AWS Artifact provides evidence of AWS’s compliance, you’re still responsible for implementing controls within your applications and configuring AWS services according to compliance requirements.
AWS Artifact simplifies compliance documentation management, accelerates audit preparation, and helps demonstrate that your cloud infrastructure meets rigorous government security standards.
