Amazon Q Developer Security Best Practices
Building with Amazon Q Developer? Make sure AI-generated code doesn't expose AWS credentials or create insecure IAM configurations.
Verify your app follows these best practices automatically.
These best practices are derived from the actual security findings we see in Amazon Q Developer apps — not a generic OWASP list. Priority ordered: critical items close data-exposure gaps, high items prevent compromise, medium items reduce attack surface. Stack-specific guidance for Postgres included.
Quick Wins
Security Best Practices
#1Keep every secret server-side
highAmazon Q may generate code containing AWS access keys instead of using IAM roles or environment variables.
Implementation
Move all secrets server-side (environment variables, serverless functions). Rotate any keys previously in frontend code. Audit bundles for leftover credentials before each deploy.
#2Overly Permissive IAM Policies
mediumAI-generated IAM policies may use wildcard (*) permissions, granting far more access than needed.
Implementation
Scan your deployed application with a security tool that understands this stack. Address the specific findings — generic best practices don't catch platform-specific misconfigurations.
#3Public S3 Buckets
mediumGenerated infrastructure code may create S3 buckets with public access enabled.
Implementation
Scan your deployed application with a security tool that understands this stack. Address the specific findings — generic best practices don't catch platform-specific misconfigurations.
#4Unauthenticated Lambda Endpoints
highAPI Gateway and Lambda configurations may not include proper authentication.
Implementation
Enforce email verification, minimum password requirements, and rate limiting on auth endpoints. Test auth flows as unauthenticated and cross-user to verify access controls.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Hardcoded AWS Credentials
Amazon Q may generate code containing AWS access keys instead of using IAM roles or environment variables.
Move all secrets server-side (environment variables, serverless functions). Rotate any keys previously in frontend code. Audit bundles for leftover credentials before each deploy.
Overly Permissive IAM Policies
AI-generated IAM policies may use wildcard (*) permissions, granting far more access than needed.
Scan your deployed application with a security tool that understands this stack. Address the specific findings — generic best practices don't catch platform-specific misconfigurations.
Public S3 Buckets
Generated infrastructure code may create S3 buckets with public access enabled.
Scan your deployed application with a security tool that understands this stack. Address the specific findings — generic best practices don't catch platform-specific misconfigurations.
Unauthenticated Lambda Endpoints
API Gateway and Lambda configurations may not include proper authentication.
Enforce email verification, minimum password requirements, and rate limiting on auth endpoints. Test auth flows as unauthenticated and cross-user to verify access controls.
Verify Your Amazon Q Developer App Security
Following best practices is the first step. Verify your app is actually secure with a comprehensive security scan.
Get Starter ScanFrequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum security I need for a Amazon Q app?
The critical-priority items above are non-negotiable for any Amazon Q Developer app that handles user data: . Everything else is iterative.
Should I run a security scan before launching a Amazon Q Developer app?
Yes — unconditionally. The mitigations above are specific enough that a scan proves they're implemented correctly. "I followed the checklist" isn't evidence; "the scan came back clean" is.
Is Amazon Q Developer secure by default?
Amazon Q Developer provides secure infrastructure, but the application-layer configuration (listed above) is the developer's job. The default state of a Amazon Q Developer app before any security work typically has at least one critical-priority issue open.
Related Amazon Q Developer Security Resources
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More on Amazon Q Developer Security
Every angle of Amazon Q security — from the specific findings we detect to step-by-step fixes.
Amazon Q Developer Security Scanner
Hub page: scan your Amazon Q app for vulnerabilities.
Amazon Q Developer Security Risks
Specific risks we find in Amazon Q apps, with real-world examples.
Amazon Q Developer Security Issues
Issues grouped by severity with detection and fix steps.
Amazon Q Developer Security Checklist
Pre-launch checklist covering every finding class for Amazon Q.
How to Secure Amazon Q Developer Apps
Step-by-step hardening guide for Amazon Q deployments.
Last updated: April 2026