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Principles of Least Privilege in DynamoDB

Andrios Robert

• 1 min read

The DynamoDB table waits in silence, holding everything your system needs, and nothing it should give away recklessly. Least privilege is the rule. Anything more opens the door to risk.

A least privilege DynamoDB query runbook is not optional. It is your blueprint for security, clarity, and control. Without it, engineers improvise permissions and overexpose data. With it, every query and IAM policy is precise.

Principles of Least Privilege in DynamoDB

  1. Define Access Scope – Grant only the permissions needed for the exact query. Use Query and GetItem over Scan to limit exposure.
  2. Restrict by Resource – Set IAM policies that target a specific table, or even a specific partition key. Avoid wildcard Resource values.
  3. Enforce Condition Keys – Where possible, add conditions like dynamodb:LeadingKeys to bind queries to required keys.
  4. Audit and Rotate – Review IAM roles regularly. Remove obsolete permissions. Rotate keys and credentials.
  5. Document Steps in Runbooks – Every query that touches DynamoDB should have a tested runbook. Include permission configurations, CLI commands, and expected outputs.

Core Sections of a DynamoDB Query Runbook

  • Purpose: Why the query exists and what data it retrieves.
  • Required IAM Role: Minimum policy statements, with JSON examples.
  • Command Reference: Tested AWS CLI commands with parameters specific to the use case.
  • Validation Steps: Output checks and data consistency verification.
  • Incident Response Notes: How to revoke access or fix permissions fast if abuse is detected.

Building the Runbook for Least Privilege

  1. Create an IAM policy with only dynamodb:Query and dynamodb:GetItem on the target table ARN.
  2. Store policy JSON in source control alongside the runbook.
  3. Write clear command sequences that match the policy scope.
  4. Add failure modes and what to do if output is empty or permissions are denied.
  5. Link the runbook to automated monitoring alerts for unusual query patterns.

A precise runbook transforms DynamoDB operations from guesswork into disciplined execution. It reduces attack surface. It speeds onboarding. It keeps compliance auditors quiet because the evidence is in writing, and the permissions are minimal by design.

You can set up least privilege DynamoDB query runbooks faster than you think. Visit hoop.dev and see it live in minutes.