AWS IAM User pattern-based discovery

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated May 13, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of AWS IAM User pattern-based discovery

    The AWS IAM User pattern-based discovery enables ServiceNow customers to identify and map AWS IAM Users within their cloud environments using Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns. This capability requires the latest version of the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application and adherence to AWS discovery prerequisites to ensure accurate and comprehensive discovery results.

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    Key Features

    • Pattern Activation: The AWS IAM User discovery pattern is disabled by default. From Visibility Content version 6.28.0 onward, activating or deactivating patterns does not count as customization and patterns reset to predefined versions after upgrades, preserving the last active state.
    • Resource Inclusion Management: To prevent duplicate discovery, ensure relevant AWS IAM User resources are not listed in the Resource Inclusion List table ([sacloudinventoryresourcewhitelist]).
    • Data Storage: Discovery populates data in both CMDB and non-CMDB tables:
      • Non-CMDB Data: Populated when running the Amazon AWS - IAM User - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern; accessible via ServiceNow navigation under AWS configuration tables.
      • CMDB Data: Also populated by the same pattern, including detailed records in Cloud Resource [cmdbcicmpresource] and AWS IAM User [cmdbawsiamuser] tables.
    • CI Relationships and References: The discovery pattern establishes important relationships, such as “Hosted on::Hosts” linking cloud resources and service accounts, facilitating comprehensive configuration item (CI) mapping.
    • AWS Tag Collection: Tags associated with IAM Users are collected and stored in the Key Value [cmdbkeyvalue] table, enabling enhanced tagging and categorization within the CMDB.

    Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers

    By enabling AWS IAM User pattern-based discovery, customers can automate the identification and inventory of IAM Users in their AWS environment, ensuring up-to-date and detailed visibility within their CMDB. This supports better governance, security auditing, and cloud resource management. The pattern's integration with CI relationships and tagging enhances the ability to track dependencies and manage IAM Users effectively.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns finds AWS IAM Users on your cloud environment. Discovering some of these resources may require updating to the latest version of the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application from the ServiceNow Store.

    Pattern-based discovery and mapping requirements

    Verify the AWS discovery prerequisites
    For more information, see the prerequisites section in AWS discovery using patterns.
    Remove resources from the Resource Inclusion List table
    Verify that the relevant resource isn't listed in the Resource Inclusion List [sa_cloud_inventory_resource_whitelist] table to avoid duplicate discovery. For more information on removing resources from the Resource Inclusion List, see AWS Resource Inventory discovery with Patterns.
    Enable the relevant pattern
    The pattern for this service is disabled by default. Starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0, activating or deactivating a pattern won't be considered a customization, and it will continue to receive updates. Patterns that were previously activated or deactivated will reset to the latest predefined version after upgrading while retaining the last active field value. For more information on enabling patterns, see Activate a disabled pattern.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in both CMDB and non-CMDB tables.

    Data stored in non-CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the non-CMDB table when running the Amazon AWS - IAM User - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    You can review the non-CMDB AWS tables by navigating to All > Configuration > AWS. You can also search the navigation filter for the specific pattern name.

    Table 1. AWS IAM User [cmdb_aws_iam_user]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the IAM user.
    Object ID [object_id] The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the IAM user.
    User ID [user_id] The stable and unique string identifying the user.
    Path [path] The path used to organize the user within the IAM hierarchy. If no custom path is set, the value is /.
    Configuration Item [configuration_item] References the Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] table.

    Data stored in CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the CMDB when running the Amazon AWS - IAM User - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    Table 2. Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the IAM user.
    Object ID [object_id] The ARN of the IAM user.
    Resource type [resource_type] Type of resource. The value is set to AWS::IAM::User.
    Install Status [install_status] Install status of the resource. Default value is Installed.
    Operational status [operational_status] Operational status of the resource. Default value is Operational.

    CI relationships

    The Amazon AWS - IAM User - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern creates the following relationships and references to support AWS IAM User discovery. References link to records in other tables and don't appear in the CI Relationship [cmdb_rel_ci] table.

    Table 3. CI relationships
    CI Relationship CI
    Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] Hosted on::Hosts Cloud Service Account [cmdb_ci_cloud_service_account]
    Table 4. CI references
    CI Field Referenced CI
    AWS IAM User [cmdb_aws_iam_user] Configuration Item [configuration_item] Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Key Value [cmdb_key_value] Configuration item [configuration_item] Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]

    AWS Tag discovery

    The Amazon AWS - IAM User - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern collects tags and populates them in the Key Value [cmdb_key_value] table.

    Table 5. Key Value [cmdb_key_value]
    Field Description
    Key [key] Tag name.
    Value [value] Tag value.
    Configuration item [configuration_item] References the Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] table.