---
title: "Create a security group"
description: "Create a security group from the MyAccount portal, name it, add inbound and outbound rules, and set it as default if you want to."
content_type: "how-to"
product: "security-group"
platform: "MyAccount"
url: "/myaccount/security-group/how-to/create-a-security-group/"
topic: ["create"]
---

# Create a security group

A security group is a name and a set of rules. Once it exists, you can attach it to a node,
autoscale group, Kubernetes cluster, load balancer, or database. You can also make it the
default for new nodes.

## Before you begin

- A MyAccount account.
- An idea of the traffic you want to allow, such as SSH from your office or HTTPS from anyone.
  [Add or edit rules](/myaccount/security-group/how-to/add-or-edit-rules/) explains each part
  of a rule.

## Create the security group

1. Open **Network > Security Group** and click **Create Security Group**.
2. Enter a **Security Group Name** of up to 50 characters, using letters, digits, underscores,
   and hyphens.
3. (Optional) Enter a **Description** of up to 256 characters, so you remember what the group
   is for.
4. Add at least one inbound rule and at least one outbound rule. For each, choose the
   **Protocol**, the **Port Range**, and the **Source IPv4/Network**. Use **+ Add Inbound Rule**
   and **+ Add Outbound Rule** for more.
5. (Optional) To use this group for new nodes in this project and region, turn **Make this
   group default** on.
6. Click **Create Group**.

The group appears in the security group list, ready to attach. You can change its name and
description later on the group's **Info** tab.

The group's rules apply once it is on a resource, so next, [attach it to a node](/myaccount/security-group/how-to/attach-a-security-group-to-a-node/). Each error a rule can get is explained in [Troubleshooting Security Group](/myaccount/security-group/troubleshooting/security-group/).