Description: EC2 Security Groups are an essential component of Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure that acts as a virtual firewall to control incoming and outgoing traffic for cloud instances. These groups allow users to define specific rules that determine what type of traffic can access their instances, thus providing a fundamental layer of security. Each security group can contain multiple rules specifying allowed or denied protocols, ports, and IP addresses. Additionally, security groups are highly flexible and can be modified at any time, allowing administrators to adjust security configurations according to the changing needs of their applications. Unlike traditional firewalls, security groups operate at the instance level, meaning each instance can have its own set of security rules. This feature allows for granular customization and more efficient management of security in cloud environments. In summary, EC2 Security Groups are a vital tool for protecting cloud instances, ensuring that only authorized traffic can interact with an organization’s critical resources.