Rule: CloudFront distributions should require encryption in transit
Ensure CloudFront distributions have encryption in transit enabled as a technical safeguard.
| Rule | CloudFront distributions should require encryption in transit |
| Framework | HIPAA |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description
CloudFront distributions should require encryption in transit to comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPAA is a set of regulations that aim to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information. Encryption in transit ensures that data transmitted between the CloudFront distribution and its clients is securely encrypted and cannot be intercepted or tampered with.
Troubleshooting Steps
If encryption in transit is not enabled for your CloudFront distribution, you may encounter issues with HIPAA compliance. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and enable encryption in transit.
- 1.
Check Encryption Configuration: Ensure that the CloudFront distribution's encryption settings are correctly configured. Check for any misconfigurations or missing configurations related to encryption in transit.
- 2.
Verify SSL Certificate: Ensure that a valid SSL certificate is associated with your CloudFront distribution. The SSL certificate is used to encrypt the data in transit between CloudFront and the clients. Make sure the SSL certificate is up to date and properly installed.
- 3.
Check SSL/TLS protocols and ciphers: Confirm that the SSL/TLS protocols and ciphers used by CloudFront are compliant with HIPAA requirements. Ensure that the distribution is not using outdated or weak encryption algorithms.
- 4.
Test Encryption: Perform tests to validate that encryption in transit is indeed enabled and functioning correctly. Use tools like Qualys SSL Labs or similar services to assess the SSL/TLS configuration of your CloudFront distribution.
- 5.
Review Access Logs: Analyze the CloudFront access logs to identify any requests that are not using encryption. This will help you identify any potential issues or security vulnerabilities that might impact HIPAA compliance.
Necessary Code (AWS CLI)
There is no specific code required for this rule. The configuration is done through the AWS Management Console or programmatically using the AWS CLI or SDKs.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow the steps below to enable encryption in transit for a CloudFront distribution:
- 1.
Sign in to the AWS Management Console: Access the AWS Management Console using your credentials.
- 2.
Open CloudFront: Navigate to the CloudFront service.
- 3.
Select the Distribution: Identify the CloudFront distribution for which you want to enable encryption in transit.
- 4.
Edit Distribution Settings: Select the distribution and click on the "Distribution Settings" button.
- 5.
Configure Origin SSL/TLS: In the "Origins and Origin Groups" section, click on the respective origin and choose "Edit".
- 6.
Select "HTTPS Only": Under the "Origin Protocol Policy," choose "HTTPS Only." This ensures that all requests to the origin server are made securely over HTTPS.
- 7.
Review SSL Certificate Configuration: Verify that the SSL certificate associated with the origin is correct and up to date.
- 8.
Confirm Changes: Save the changes to the origin settings.
- 9.
Update Distribution: Click on the "Update" button to apply the changes to the CloudFront distribution.
- 10.
Test and Validate: Perform tests to ensure that encryption in transit is enabled and functioning correctly. Verify that all requests to the CloudFront distribution are made securely over HTTPS.
By following these steps, you can enable encryption in transit for your CloudFront distribution to meet the HIPAA compliance requirement. Ensure that encryption is enforced for all sensitive data transmitted through the CloudFront distribution.