AWS Direct Connect Enhances Security with Expanded MACsec Support for Partner Interconnects
Seattle, WA – July 28, 2025 – Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced a significant enhancement to its AWS Direct Connect service, extending Media Access Control Security (MACsec) functionality to supported Partner Interconnect connections. This new feature, detailed in an announcement published on July 28, 2025, further strengthens the security posture for organizations leveraging AWS Direct Connect through their preferred network partners.
AWS Direct Connect provides dedicated, private network connections from on-premises environments to AWS, bypassing the public internet. This service is crucial for organizations that require consistent network performance, lower latency, and a more predictable user experience for their cloud-based workloads. The integration of MACsec on top of these connections introduces a robust layer of encryption at the data link layer, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the customer’s network and AWS.
Previously, MACsec support was primarily available for AWS Direct Connect dedicated connections. The expansion to supported Partner Interconnects is a welcome development, offering the same high level of security to a broader range of customers who prefer the flexibility and managed services offered by AWS Direct Connect partners. This move aligns with AWS’s continuous commitment to providing secure and reliable networking solutions that meet the evolving needs of its global customer base.
What is MACsec and Why is it Important?
MACsec, defined by the IEEE 802.1AE standard, provides point-to-point security on Ethernet links. It encrypts data packets at the hardware level, preventing unauthorized access, tampering, or eavesdropping on the network traffic. For businesses dealing with sensitive data, compliance requirements, or seeking to establish highly secure hybrid cloud environments, MACsec is an invaluable security feature.
The benefits of MACsec support for AWS Direct Connect Partner Interconnects include:
- Enhanced Data Confidentiality: All data transmitted over the Direct Connect link is encrypted, protecting it from being intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.
- Data Integrity: MACsec ensures that data has not been altered in transit, providing assurance that the information received is exactly as it was sent.
- Secure Hybrid Cloud Connectivity: This allows organizations to confidently extend their private networks into AWS, maintaining a secure perimeter for their sensitive applications and data.
- Compliance Adherence: For industries with strict data protection regulations, the encryption provided by MACsec can assist in meeting compliance mandates.
- Simplified Security Implementation: By offering MACsec support, AWS and its partners are simplifying the process of securing network traffic, reducing the need for complex, end-to-end encryption configurations at higher network layers for certain use cases.
Benefits for Partners and Customers:
This expansion not only benefits end customers but also empowers AWS Direct Connect partners to offer a more secure and differentiated service. Partners can now integrate MACsec capabilities into their existing offerings, providing their clients with a natively encrypted connection to AWS. This can lead to more streamlined customer onboarding and a higher perceived value for their Direct Connect services.
For customers utilizing Partner Interconnect, this announcement signifies greater choice and flexibility in how they establish secure connections to AWS. They can continue to leverage the managed services and expertise of their chosen partners while benefiting from the robust security offered by MACsec, all without needing to manage the encryption hardware or software themselves.
AWS continues to invest in its networking infrastructure and services to provide customers with secure, performant, and reliable connectivity options. The extension of MACsec support to Partner Interconnects is a testament to this ongoing commitment, offering a vital security enhancement for a growing segment of AWS Direct Connect users. Customers are encouraged to consult with their AWS Direct Connect partners to understand how they can leverage this new feature.
AWS Direct Connect extends MACsec functionality to supported Partner Interconnects
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Amazon published ‘AWS Direct Connect extends MACsec functionality to supported Partner Interconnects’ at 2025-07-28 18:43. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.