You cannot use AWS to hack into systems, scan networks without permission, or disrupt internet services — even if you are doing security research without explicit authorization.
Security professionals and researchers using AWS for testing must ensure they have explicit written authorization for every target system they test; unauthorized scanning or probing — even for defensive purposes — violates the AUP and can result in immediate account termination and potential referral to law enforcement.
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This provision applies broadly to security testing and vulnerability research, meaning even well-intentioned penetration testers or security researchers could violate the AUP if they conduct scans or tests without explicit authorization from the target system owner.
(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision mirrors prohibitions in the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030, DOJ/FBI enforcement), UK Computer Misuse Act 1990, EU Directive 2013/40/EU on attacks against information systems, and equivalent cybercrime statutes globally. Unauthorized access attempts, even if unsuccessful, constitute federal criminal violations under CFAA with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment for aggravated cases. NIS2 Directive (EU 2022/2555) imposes security obligations on operators of essential services that may interact with this provision where AWS is used for critical infrastructure. (2)
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Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.
Watcher: regulatory citations. Professional: full compliance memo.