Rule: Lambda Functions Dead-Letter Queue Configuration
This rule ensures Lambda functions have a dead-letter queue configured for error handling.
| Rule | Lambda functions should have a dead-letter queue configured |
| Framework | AWS Foundational Security Best Practices |
| Severity | ✔ Medium |
Rule Description
Lambda functions are commonly used in AWS environments to execute serverless functions. It is essential to configure a dead-letter queue for Lambda functions to ensure the reliability and fault tolerance of the application. A dead-letter queue acts as a safety net by capturing event data that could not be processed successfully by a Lambda function.
AWS Foundational Security Best Practices recommend implementing a dead-letter queue for Lambda functions to safeguard against message loss or missed processing. By setting up a dead-letter queue, the failed events can be captured and investigated, enabling you to identify and resolve potential issues in the application.
Remediation Steps
To comply with the AWS Foundational Security Best Practices, follow the steps below to configure a dead-letter queue for your Lambda functions:
Step 1: Create a Dead-Letter Queue
- 1.
Open the Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS) console.
- 2.
Click on "Create queue."
- 3.
Provide a name for the queue and select the desired configuration options.
Note: It is recommended to set the retention period appropriately based on your requirements.
- 4.
Click on "Create queue" to create the dead-letter queue.
Step 2: Update the Lambda Function Configuration
- 1.
Open the AWS Lambda console.
- 2.
Select the relevant Lambda function that you want to configure with a dead-letter queue.
- 3.
Scroll down to the "Dead letter queue" section in the function configuration.
- 4.
Enable the "Enable DLQ" option.
- 5.
Select the previously created dead-letter queue from the drop-down list.
- 6.
Specify the maximum number of times the function should attempt to process an event before sending it to the dead-letter queue.
Note: It is recommended to set an appropriate value based on your application's requirements.
- 7.
Click on "Save" to update the Lambda function configuration.
Troubleshooting Steps (if applicable)
If you encounter any issues while configuring the dead-letter queue for the Lambda function, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- 1.
Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to create and configure SQS queues and Lambda functions. Verify that you have the required IAM permissions for these actions.
- 2.
Double-check the configuration settings when creating the dead-letter queue. Ensure you provide a unique name and select the desired options based on your requirements.
- 3.
If the Lambda function is not listed in the Lambda console, check that you are accessing the correct AWS region where the function is deployed.
- 4.
Verify that the Lambda function name specified in the dead-letter queue configuration matches the actual function you want to configure.
Conclusion
By following the above steps, you can ensure that your Lambda functions have a dead-letter queue configured, as recommended by AWS Foundational Security Best Practices. This configuration provides a safety net to catch and investigate failed events, enabling you to maintain the reliability and fault tolerance of your serverless applications.