Rule: CloudWatch Alarm Action Should Be Enabled
This rule ensures that CloudWatch alarm actions are enabled for security compliance
| Rule | CloudWatch alarm action should be enabled |
| Framework | FedRAMP Low Revision 4 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description
CloudWatch alarm action should be enabled for FedRAMP Low Revision 4. This rule ensures that CloudWatch alarms are properly configured and enabled for monitoring and alerting on resources that fall under the FedRAMP Low security level, as defined in Revision 4 of the FedRAMP security framework.
Troubleshooting Steps
If the CloudWatch alarm action is not enabled for resources under the FedRAMP Low security level, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- 1.
Identify the affected resources: Determine which resources are not configured with CloudWatch alarms for FedRAMP Low Revision 4.
- 2.
Review the CloudWatch alarm configuration: Verify that the CloudWatch alarms are set up correctly for the specific FedRAMP Low requirements outlined in Revision 4.
- 3.
Check IAM permissions: Ensure that the IAM roles associated with the resources have the necessary permissions to create and manage CloudWatch alarms.
- 4.
Verify resource compliance: Confirm that the resources actually fall under the FedRAMP Low security level and need to comply with Revision 4.
- 5.
Enable CloudWatch alarm action: Enable the CloudWatch alarm action for the affected resources, following the remediation steps outlined below.
Remediation Steps
Follow these steps to enable CloudWatch alarm action for FedRAMP Low Revision 4:
- 1.
Identify the affected resources: Determine which resources fall under the FedRAMP Low security level and require CloudWatch alarms.
- 2.
Create CloudWatch alarms: Configure CloudWatch alarms based on the specific monitoring requirements outlined in FedRAMP Low Revision 4.
- 3.
Enable alarm actions: Make sure the CloudWatch alarms have the necessary actions defined, such as sending notifications or triggering automated responses when the alarm threshold is breached.
- 4.
Test alarm notifications: Validate that the CloudWatch alarms are working correctly by triggering test scenarios or simulating events that would trigger the alarms.
- 5.
Update IAM permissions: Ensure that the IAM roles associated with the resources have the necessary permissions to create and manage CloudWatch alarms.
- 6.
Monitor and maintain: Regularly review and update the CloudWatch alarms as needed to ensure ongoing compliance with FedRAMP Low Revision 4 requirements.
Necessary Codes
If you need sample codes to set up CloudWatch alarms for FedRAMP Low Revision 4, here are examples using AWS CLI:
Create an alarm:
aws cloudwatch put-metric-alarm --alarm-name MyCloudWatchAlarm --alarm-description "Alarm for FedRAMP Low" --namespace AWS/EC2 --metric-name CPUUtilization --statistic Average --period 300 --threshold 70 --comparison-operator GreaterThanThreshold --alarm-actions arn:aws:sns:us-west-2:123456789012:MySNSTopic --dimensions "Name=InstanceId,Value=i-12345678"
Enable an alarm:
aws cloudwatch enable-alarm-actions --alarm-names MyCloudWatchAlarm
Please note that you'll need to modify the above commands with the appropriate values for your setup, such as alarm name, description, metric, threshold, SNS topic, and resource dimensions.
Remember to adjust the IAM permissions to allow the necessary actions for CloudWatch alarm management.
Conclusion
Enabling CloudWatch alarm action for FedRAMP Low Revision 4 ensures proper monitoring and alerting for resources that fall under this security level. By following the troubleshooting steps and remediation guide, you can easily ensure compliance and maintain a secure environment for your organization.