GLBA compliance on AWS RDS starts with identity control. You cannot allow shared credentials. You cannot trust static passwords in code. Use IAM authentication to connect to RDS so every session is tied to a specific, auditable identity. Enable IAM database authentication in RDS and disable native database user passwords wherever possible. This ensures all access runs through AWS IAM policies and roles, which you can tightly restrict and log.
With AWS IAM and RDS combined, you can enforce least privilege at the connection level. Roles should map directly to the operational need. For example, a read-only analyst role should not be able to modify schema. Use AWS-managed policies sparingly—custom policies give you control over exactly what actions are allowed. Rotate access keys automatically, and prefer temporary credentials issued via AWS STS.
Encryption is non-negotiable under GLBA. Enable encryption at rest in RDS with AWS KMS. Configure TLS for all connections. Ensure security groups limit inbound traffic to specific application servers. Use VPC-level isolation so no public internet path exists to your database.