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Ensure IAM Users that are inactive for 30 days or more are deactivated

IAM users who have not logged into AWS and have no API activity for 30 days should be considered inactive.

Category

Controls

Medium

Applies to

AWS

Coverage

null controls, 1 queries

Asset types

1 covered

Overview

IAM users who have not logged into AWS and have no API activity for 30 days should be considered inactive.

We recommend IAM users that are not active for 30 days or more have their accounts terminated.

Remediation guidance

If you conclude that the users can be deleted, follow the AWS Documentation describing the steps.

Multiple Remediation Paths

AWS

SERVICE-WIDE (RECOMMENDED when many resources are affected): Deploy centralized guardrails and remediation using AWS Config Conformance Packs and (if applicable) AWS Organizations SCPs.

aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml

ASSET-LEVEL: Apply the resource-specific remediation steps above to only the affected assets.

PREVENTIVE: Add CI/CD policy checks (CloudFormation/Terraform validation) before deployment to prevent recurrence.

References for Service-Wide Patterns

  • AWS Config Conformance Packs: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/config/latest/developerguide/conformance-packs.html
  • AWS Organizations SCP examples: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/organizations/latest/userguide/orgs_manage_policies_scps_examples.html

Operational Rollout Workflow

Use this sequence to reduce risk and avoid repeated drift.

1. Contain at Service-Wide Scope First (Recommended)

  • AWS: deploy/adjust organization conformance packs and policy guardrails.
aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml

2. Remediate Existing Affected Assets

  • Execute the control-specific Console/CLI steps documented above for each flagged resource.
  • Prioritize internet-exposed and production assets first.

3. Validate and Prevent Recurrence

  • Re-scan after each remediation batch.
  • Track exceptions with owner and expiry date.
  • Add preventive checks in IaC/CI pipelines.

Query logic

These are the stored checks tied to this control.

IAM Users that are inactive for 30 days or more are deactivated

Connectors

AWS

Covered asset types

IAMUser

Expected check: eq []

{AWSIAM20{...AssetFragment}}
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