IAM policy where: Users must create new password at sign-in AND can use MFA?

Question

Hello, 
I have new users that must must change their default password at next sign-in. I also want them to set up MFA. However, this seems to create a loop where they're blocked from changing their password unless they're signed in with MFA, and they can't set up MFA until they change their password and log in for the first time.

How to create a policy where new users can get themselves set up?

Answer

Hi Emmab5,

I suggest you read these articles:
 * https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/reference_policies_examples_aws_my-sec-creds-self-manage.html.
* https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/reference_policies_examples_aws_my-sec-creds-self-manage-mfa-only.html

In particular, you could leverage iam:ChangePassword and MultiFactorAuthPresent condition to achieve change password with mfa enabled.

Hope it helps

Answer

The [IAM best practices](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/best-practices.html) have been updated. As a best practice, require human users to use federation with an identity provider to access AWS using temporary credentials.

IAM users are to be used only in very limited scenarios where an IAM role cannot be assumed. To learn about using AWS IAM Identity Center (successor to AWS Single Sign-On) to create users with temporary credentials, see [Getting started in the AWS IAM Identity Center](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/singlesignon/latest/userguide/getting-started.html) (successor to AWS Single Sign-On) User Guide.

In a nutshell, turn on AWS Organisations, then set up AWS IAM Identity Center. AWS IAM best practice is to configure federated users and this way, AWS helps you securely manage the administration of user passwords and MFA according to your preferences.

IAM policy where: Users must create new password at sign-in AND can use MFA?

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