Startups
9 articles on Startups — AWS security, compliance, and account management from the Vigilare team.
Do I Need a CSPM? A Decision Framework for Small Teams
Cloud Security Posture Management tools cost $5,000-50,000/year. Here's a practical framework for deciding whether your team actually needs one — or whether simpler tools cover your real risks.
Viktor B. · February 20, 2026 · 8 min read
The Solo Engineer's Guide to AWS IAM: Stop Using Root
You're the only engineer. You've been using the root account for everything. Here's the practical, no-BS guide to setting up IAM properly — in under 20 minutes, with the least possible ongoing maintenance.
Viktor B. · February 13, 2026 · 10 min read
AWS Monitoring for Small Teams: Do More With Less
Practical strategies for startups and small engineering teams to maintain strong AWS security and cost visibility without dedicated DevOps headcount.
Viktor B. · January 18, 2026 · 9 min read
Free AWS Monitoring Tools: What They Cover and Where They Stop
AWS offers a surprising amount of monitoring for free. Here's exactly what the free tier covers across CloudWatch, GuardDuty, Cost Anomaly Detection, and more — and the gaps that free tools leave open.
Viktor B. · January 16, 2026 · 9 min read
AWS Security on a Budget: What to Enable When You Can't Afford Enterprise Tools
Enterprise security tools cost $5,000-50,000/year. Here's how to build a security posture that covers the real risks for under $100/month using AWS native tools and one smart addition.
Viktor B. · January 9, 2026 · 10 min read
AWS Billing Alerts in 5 Minutes: The Minimum Setup Every Startup Needs
You can go from zero billing protection to 'I'll know before it's a disaster' in five minutes. Here's the exact setup — three alerts, two services, no excuses.
Viktor B. · December 5, 2025 · 6 min read
AWS Security Checklist for Startups: The 15-Minute Setup
You don't need a security team to secure your AWS account. This checklist covers the exact steps — in order of impact — that every startup should complete in their first 15 minutes with a new AWS account.
Viktor B. · November 21, 2025 · 8 min read
Best AWS Monitoring Tools for Startups in 2026
You don't need an enterprise monitoring stack to keep your AWS account safe. Here are the best monitoring tools for startups — ranked by what actually matters when you're a small team on a budget.
Viktor B. · November 14, 2025 · 10 min read
I Woke Up to a $10,000 AWS Bill: How It Happens and How to Prevent It
A surprise AWS bill isn't a freak accident — it follows predictable patterns. Here's how overnight cost explosions happen, the five most common causes, and the exact steps to make sure it never happens to you.
Viktor B. · November 7, 2025 · 8 min read