AWS Shield

AWS Shield protects AWS-hosted websites and applications from distributed denial-of-service attacks, with network security analysis also offered through Network Security Director in preview. It suits AWS customers, particularly teams running internet-facing services on eligible AWS resources. Standard is a sensible baseline; Advanced adds broader mitigation and operational protections, but its annual commitment makes it a considered upgrade.

Overview

Shield Standard is automatically configured for AWS customers and covers common network- and transport-layer DDoS protection. Shield Advanced extends that coverage with automatic inline mitigation across network, transport and application layers, plus traffic monitoring that can flag patterns such as HTTP and DNS query floods. That split gives AWS users a no-charge starting point, while making Advanced most relevant when application-layer defense and ongoing visibility are priorities.

Network Security Director analyzes AWS resources, maps network topology and identifies configuration issues with remediation recommendations. It is in preview, and neither Shield Standard nor Shield Advanced includes it, so it should not be treated as part of either plan.

Key features

Mitigation and monitoring

Advanced continuously monitors application traffic against baselines and automatically mitigates sophisticated attacks. This combination is useful for internet-facing applications that need more than common network and transport protection, though it does not remove the need to plan support access: custom mitigations from the Shield Response Team require Business or Enterprise support.

AWS service coverage and integrations

Protected resources include EC2, Elastic Load Balancing, CloudFront, Global Accelerator and Route 53. Integrations with AWS WAF and AWS Firewall Manager fit organizations already managing AWS security through those services, while Amazon CloudWatch provides event visibility. Advanced also includes up to 50 billion AWS WAF requests per subscribed payer account per calendar month for protected resources.

Incident and cost protections

Shield Response Team access is available around the clock to Business or Enterprise support customers. Advanced also includes DDoS cost protection for qualifying usage spikes on protected resources. These provisions strengthen the case for Advanced in supported AWS environments, but the support eligibility condition matters when evaluating incident response.

Pricing

Standard is the practical fit for AWS customers seeking common DDoS protection without a plan charge. Advanced is for teams that need its broader mitigation, monitoring and cost protection; it requires a one-year subscription commitment, renews annually, and usage fees may apply. The commitment and possible additional charges make it a poor fit for organizations that need a short-term or easily scaled commitment. Network Security Director is not included in either plan.

Platforms

Shield is offered on API and web platforms, with cloud deployment. Its protections are aimed at AWS resources, so platform availability should not be mistaken for coverage of services outside the supported AWS environment.

Who it's for

Shield is best suited to AWS customers protecting websites and applications. Standard makes sense as the default layer of common network and transport protection. Advanced is a better match for teams with internet-facing applications on eligible resources that need application-layer mitigation, traffic anomaly monitoring, qualifying cost protection or the included WAF request allowance. Organizations that cannot accept a one-year subscription or do not qualify for the Response Team support level should weigh those constraints before upgrading.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Standard is automatically configured for AWS customers at no charge, providing a baseline without a separate plan purchase.
• Pro: Advanced adds automatic mitigation across three attack layers and traffic baselining for HTTP and DNS query floods.
• Pro: Advanced combines CloudWatch visibility, AWS security integrations, qualifying DDoS cost protection and a substantial monthly WAF request allowance.
• Con: Advanced costs $3,000 a month and commits customers for one year, with annual renewal and possible usage fees.
• Con: Custom event mitigations from the Shield Response Team depend on Business or Enterprise support.
• Con: Network Security Director is in preview and is not included with either Shield plan.

Alternatives

Compare DDoS Protection Software if you want to assess a wider set of DDoS tools. Gcore DDoS Protection is worth considering for a freemium option with a PAYG plan that starts free and has no clean-traffic commitment. Cloudflare DDoS Protection may suit web-focused buyers seeking a free plan with unmetered DDoS protection and a WAF. Check Point DDoS Protector is another paid DDoS protection option.

Fastly Image Optimizer is a separate image optimization option with a free allowance of 100,000 image requests per month. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Secret Management is a free secret-management alternative, rather than a DDoS protection service. F5 BIG-IP APM is a paid access management product with a free trial. FastNetMon is a freemium option available for web, Linux and macOS. Nexusguard DDoS Protection offers custom DDoS protection plans.

Verdict

Choose AWS Shield if your applications run on AWS and you want an automatically configured baseline or, with Advanced, broader mitigation and monitoring for eligible resources. Advanced's protections are substantial, but its 3000.00 USD monthly price, one-year commitment and possible usage fees make it the right choice only when those capabilities justify the ongoing obligation. Look elsewhere if you need a shorter commitment or a web-focused free plan.