Rule: RDS Aurora clusters should be protected by backup plan

RDS Aurora Clusters Backup Plan for FFIEC Compliance

Detailed Description of the Backup Rule

2. 1.
   Backup Frequency: Automated backups should be scheduled daily, capturing the entire database.
4. 2.
   Backup Retention: Backups must be retained for a minimum period, typically no less than one month.
6. 3.
   Encryption: All backups should be encrypted at rest using appropriate encryption standards such as AES-256.
8. 4.
   Testing: Regular testing of backup restoration processes to ensure data integrity and the effectiveness of the plan.
10. 5.
    Logging and Monitoring: Continuous monitoring and logging of backup activities to detect and respond to failures quickly.
12. 6.
    Off-site Storage: Backups should be stored in a geographically separate location from the production database.
14. 7.
    Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of the backup process, policies, and test results.

Troubleshooting Steps

2. 1.
   Verify the backup schedule and frequency.
4. 2.
   Check for sufficient storage capacity.
6. 3.
   Ensure network connectivity is not interrupted during backup processes.
8. 4.
   Review encryption settings to confirm they comply with security policies.
10. 5.
    Confirm that backup retention policies are in line with FFIEC requirements.
12. 6.
    Monitor log files for errors during backup operations.
14. 7.
    Test restore processes periodically to ensure data can be recovered.

Necessary Codes

2. 1.

   Creating a new DB cluster snapshot:

   aws rds create-db-cluster-snapshot \
       --db-cluster-snapshot-identifier my-snapshot \
       --db-cluster-identifier my-cluster
   

4. 2.

   Listing all DB cluster snapshots:

   aws rds describe-db-cluster-snapshots \
       --db-cluster-identifier my-cluster
   

6. 3.

   Restoring from a DB snapshot:

   aws rds restore-db-cluster-from-snapshot \
       --snapshot-identifier my-snapshot \
       --db-cluster-identifier my-new-cluster
   

8. 4.

   Modifying the backup retention period:

   aws rds modify-db-cluster \
       --db-cluster-identifier my-cluster \
       --backup-retention-period 30
   

10. 5.

    Enabling backup window:

    aws rds modify-db-cluster \
        --db-cluster-identifier my-cluster \
        --preferred-backup-window 02:00-03:00
    

Step by Step Guide for Remediation

2. 1.

   Schedule regular automated backups:

   • In the AWS Management Console, navigate to RDS > Databases.
   • Select your Aurora Cluster.
   • Under "Automated backups," set the backup window and retention period.
4. 2.

   Configure backup encryption:

   • Modify the database cluster to activate the encryption option.
   • Choose the encryption key to encrypt your backups.
6. 3.

   Verify backup policies and retention:

   • Check current policies through the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
   • Modify the retention period using the AWS CLI if necessary.
8. 4.

   Implement monitoring via CloudWatch:

   • Set up CloudWatch alarms for backup failure notifications.
   • Monitor AWS CloudTrail for backup activity auditing.
10. 5.

    Conduct regular recovery drills:

    • Use AWS CLI or AWS Management Console to restore snapshots to test instances.
    • Document the performance and any issues encountered during the test.