Managing EC2 Instances with AWS Systems Manager Rule
Ensure compliance by managing EC2 instances with AWS Systems Manager.
| Rule | EC2 instances should be managed by AWS Systems Manager |
| Framework | Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description:
The rule requires that all EC2 instances within the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) be managed using AWS Systems Manager. This ensures centralized management, monitoring, and maintenance of the instances, ensuring better compliance with regulatory requirements and enhancing security measures.
Troubleshooting Steps (if required):
In case any issues arise during the management process using AWS Systems Manager, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- 1.Verify IAM Role: Ensure that the EC2 instances have the necessary IAM role attached, granting them access to AWS Systems Manager services.
- 2.Verify Systems Manager Agent: Check if the Systems Manager agent is installed and running on the EC2 instances. If not, install and configure it by following the AWS Systems Manager Agent installation guide.
- 3.Verify Instance Connectivity: Ensure that the EC2 instances have outbound internet connectivity necessary for communication with the AWS Systems Manager service. Check security group rules and network access control lists (ACLs).
- 4.Check for Errors in Systems Manager Logs: Review the Systems Manager log files for any errors or failures that might be hindering the management process. These logs can provide insights into the root cause of any issues encountered.
Necessary Codes (if required):
There are no specific codes required for this rule. However, you need to configure and manage the EC2 instances using the AWS Systems Manager console, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), or AWS SDKs.
Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation:
Follow the steps below to ensure that EC2 instances within the FFIEC are managed using AWS Systems Manager:
- 1.
Access the AWS Management Console: Navigate to the AWS Management Console using your provided credentials.
- 2.
Open AWS Systems Manager: Once on the console, locate and open the AWS Systems Manager service.
- 3.
Configure IAM Role: If not already configured, create or modify an IAM role to grant EC2 instances access to Systems Manager. Ensure that the role has the necessary permissions for required Systems Manager actions.
- 4.
Attach IAM Role to EC2 Instances: Go to the EC2 Dashboard, select the target EC2 instances, and attach the IAM role mentioned in the previous step. This allows the instances to use Systems Manager services.
- 5.
Install Systems Manager Agent: If the EC2 instances don't have the Systems Manager agent installed or running, follow the Systems Manager Agent installation guide to install and configure it on each targeted instance. Restart the instances if necessary.
- 6.
Verify Connectivity: Ensure that the EC2 instances have outbound internet connectivity necessary for communicating with the Systems Manager service. Check security group rules and network ACLs to ensure they allow the required traffic.
- 7.
Monitor Systems Manager Logs: Continuously monitor Systems Manager logs for any errors or failures. Address these issues promptly to maintain effective management.
- 8.
Validate Compliance: Regularly validate that all EC2 instances within the FFIEC are being managed using Systems Manager. This can be done using AWS Config rules, enabling notifications or automated checks to ensure compliance.
By following the above steps, you can successfully manage EC2 instances using AWS Systems Manager for FFIEC compliance.