DropOps Cloud Operator
Part of the DropOps platform — AI-powered infrastructure automation running in your AWS environment
Zero access by default. The Cloud Operator launches with no permissions to your AWS resources. You grant each capability through conversation—and can revoke it anytime. Quick launch from AWS Marketplace with your DropOps API key (for platform auth) and the Cloud Operator IAM role (for AWS credentials).
What is the Cloud Operator?
The DropOps Cloud Operator for AWS is a pre-configured EC2 instance that provides a clean execution environment for AI-powered infrastructure automation. Unlike the downloadable Operator binary, the Cloud Operator runs as a dedicated EC2 instance within your own AWS account.
Launch The DropOps Cloud Operator for AWS with a minimal Cloud Operator IAM role that grants zero access to your resources. The AI asks permission before accessing anything: "Should I be able to see your EC2 instances?" You approve or deny. Revoke any permission at any time.
Key Benefits
rocket_launch Quick Launch
Launch from AWS Marketplace in minutes. Create a Cloud Operator IAM role, provide your DropOps API key (from the Operator Panel), and you're ready. The IAM role provides AWS credentials; the API key provides DropOps platform authentication. No SSH keys needed.
security Zero-Trust Permission Model
The Operator launches with zero access to your AWS resources. It can only identify itself—nothing else. When you ask it to do something, it asks permission first: "Should I be able to see EC2 instances?" You say Yes or No. Revoke any permission anytime. No pre-configured access, no standing permissions.
🔒 Permission Boundary: The IAM role includes a hard security ceiling that prevents the Operator from ever granting itself admin-level permissions like AdministratorAccess, iam:*, or *:*. It can only grant scoped, least-privilege permissions.
build Pre-Installed Toolbox
Comes with Terraform, AWS CLI v2, kubectl, Helm, jq/yq, Python 3, Git, and more - everything your DevOps team needs, ready to go.
security Enterprise-Grade Security
Outbound-only architecture with zero listening ports. AWS credentials come from IAM roles via instance metadata (IMDS)—no AWS access keys stored on disk. DropOps platform authentication uses a separate API key from your Operator Panel.
shield Security & Backup Tools
Pre-installed security tools including Restic for encrypted S3 backups, fail2ban for intrusion prevention, and auditd for security auditing and file access monitoring.
How It Works
Intent-Based Permissions
Stop writing JSON IAM policies. With intent-based permissions, the AI translates your answers into secure AWS policies:
| AI Question | What It Grants |
|---|---|
| "See other EC2 instances?" | ec2:Describe* |
| "Start/stop EC2 instances?" | ec2:StartInstances, StopInstances, RebootInstances |
| "Read from S3 buckets?" | s3:GetObject, s3:ListBucket |
| "Manage Terraform state?" | S3 + DynamoDB for tfstate |
Security Architecture
The Cloud Operator follows the same zero-trust, outbound-only security model as all DropOps components. Your infrastructure credentials never leave your AWS account.
- Outbound 443 Only - The Operator initiates all connections. No inbound ports, no firewall exceptions needed.
- No Stored AWS Credentials - AWS credentials come from IAM roles via EC2 Instance Metadata Service (IMDS). DropOps platform auth uses a separate API key from your Operator Panel.
- IMDSv2 Preferred - Enhanced instance metadata security prevents SSRF attacks.
- Least Privilege - Cloud Operator role has minimal permissions. Additional access is granted only when you approve.
- Human-in-the-Loop - Every command requires your explicit approval before execution.
- Audit Trail - All permission changes are traceable via AWS CloudTrail.
Pre-Installed Tools
The DropOps Cloud Operator for AWS comes pre-loaded with common infrastructure and Linux troubleshooting tools. Need something else? Just ask the AI to install it - the Operator runs with sudo privileges so any tool can be added on demand:
Recommended Configuration
memory Instance Type
t3.micro or t2.micro (recommended) - 2 vCPUs, 1 GB RAM. Sufficient for most workloads with cost-effective pricing.
lan Network Requirements
Outbound HTTPS (443) only. No inbound ports required. Works behind NAT and corporate firewalls. DNS (53) is optional - The DropOps Cloud Operator for AWS includes necessary /etc/hosts entries. If your infrastructure allows outbound DNS, DropOps can manage the local firewall to open port 53 on-demand as needed.
Note: The Cloud Operator requires a DropOps subscription plan that includes Cloud Operator access. AWS infrastructure costs (EC2, data transfer) are billed separately through your AWS account.
Ready to Get Started?
Deploy AI-powered infrastructure automation in your AWS environment today.
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