Managing security and compliance across multiple AWS accounts can be challenging, especially when each account represents a different product, environment, or team structure. While isolating environments (such as production, staging, and development) in separate accounts improves security by limiting lateral movement, it also creates operational complexity. This post explores how to centralize security using native AWS services in a multi-account setup.
Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS) is a managed platform designed for orchestrating containerized applications. It simplifies the deployment, scaling, and management of containers while incorporating AWS best practices for configuration and operations. ECS integrates seamlessly with AWS services like Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR) and external tools such as Docker, allowing teams to focus on application development rather than infrastructure management. With ECS, workloads can be efficiently scaled across AWS Regions and even on-premises without the need for manual control plane management.
Amazon ECS consists of three key layers:
Capacity – The underlying infrastructure that hosts and runs your containers.
Controller – Responsible for deploying and managing applications within the containers.
Provisioning – A set of tools that interact with the scheduler to facilitate the deployment and management of applications and containers.
The capacity layer in Amazon ECS refers to the infrastructure where containers operate. Below are the available capacity options:
Amazon EKS is AWS’s managed Kubernetes service that provides full compatibility with open-source Kubernetes. EKS allows users to run Kubernetes workloads on EC2 instances, Fargate, or AWS Outposts. It is designed for organizations that need a Kubernetes-compatible environment with AWS’s reliability and scalability.
Unlike ECS, which abstracts away orchestration complexity, EKS requires users to manage Kubernetes components such as nodes, networking, service discovery, and RBAC policies. However, it provides full access to Kubernetes features, making it a great option for teams already using Kubernetes or requiring multi-cloud deployments.Key Features of EKS:
ECS is often the better choice when you prioritize simplicity, deep AWS integration, and cost efficiency. Let’s explore the key scenarios where ECS is preferable
1. You Want a Fully Managed, Hassle-Free Service
If your goal is to focus on application development rather than managing Kubernetes clusters, ECS is the best choice. Unlike EKS, ECS does not require cluster management, node upgrades, or control plane maintenance.
2. You Are Heavily Invested in AWS Services
If your workloads rely on AWS-native services, ECS provides better integration and less operational overhead.
Key Benefits:
3. Cost-Effectiveness is a Priority
ECS is generally more cost-efficient than EKS, especially for small-to-medium workloads.
If you don’t need Kubernetes-specific features, ECS helps you save money while running containerized workloads.
4. You Want Better Security and Simplicity
Security is crucial for any application, and ECS provides a simpler yet effective security model compared to EKS.
ECS Security Benefits:
For companies that prioritize security with minimal operational effort, ECS is the ideal choice.
Choosing between ECS and EKS depends on your organization’s needs, expertise, and operational model. ECS is the best choice when you want:
Simplified container orchestration with no cluster management, Deep AWS integration with IAM, CloudWatch, and networking, Lower operational costs with Fargate and no control plane fees, Enhanced security without Kubernetes complexity, Faster and easier deployments with minimal configuration.
If you’re already invested in AWS and don’t require Kubernetes-specific features, ECS is the clear winner.However, if your application requires multi-cloud support, Kubernetes-native tooling, or advanced networking, then EKS may be the better choice.
Which one do you prefer: ECS or EKS? Let us know in the comments!
