Skip to main content

Introduction to Cloud Email Sending Services

This document presents the findings of a comprehensive investigation into email handling and sending services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), fulfilling the assigned task of evaluating both managed solutions and potential custom implementations using AWS cloud resources. The primary goal is to provide a detailed understanding of available tools, their use cases, and a recommended architecture tailored to meet specific project needs.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) stands as a leading cloud provider, offering a global infrastructure that supports a wide range of services, including specialized solutions for email management and delivery. These cloud-based offerings enable organizations to integrate secure, scalable email functionalities into their applications, eliminating the need for on-premises email servers and providing a foundation for high availability, global reach, and compliance with industry standards.

The investigation addresses key aspects of AWS email services, guided by the following objectives:

  • Analyze AWS Options: Explore managed services such as Amazon SES, AWS Lambda with SES, Amazon SNS, and Amazon WorkMail, alongside custom implementations using AWS resources, identifying their technical capabilities and ideal use cases.
  • Evaluate Costs: Assess the financial implications of email sending, domain authentication (e.g., DKIM, SPF, DMARC), log storage in services like S3 and CloudWatch, and additional costs from integrations such as Lambda or others tools.
  • Explore Authentication Flows: Investigate the integration of authentication processes where a backend provides data such as one-time passwords (OTPs), temporary links, or magic links, with the flow limited to sending these emails securely using AWS services.
  • Compare Architectures: Contrast managed and custom-built solutions, highlighting their respective advantages, risks, and appropriate scenarios.
  • Propose a Solution: Recommend a secure, scalable architecture that leverages AWS managed services for high availability, adheres to security best practices and regulatory requirements, and supports seamless integration with backend applications.