Rule: EFS File Systems Protected by Backup Plan
This rule ensures EFS file systems are protected by a backup plan.
| Rule | EFS file systems should be protected by backup plan |
| Framework | HIPAA |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description:
The rule states that all EFS (Elastic File System) file systems must be protected by a backup plan in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Troubleshooting Steps:
If backups are not in place or compliance is not met, the following troubleshooting steps can be taken:
- 1.
Review the current backup system: Evaluate the existing backup system for EFS file systems to determine if it complies with HIPAA standards.
- 2.
Check backup frequency: Ensure that regular and frequent backups are being performed to minimize data loss and ensure recovery.
- 3.
Verify backup integrity: Validate that the backup data is intact and accessible, ready to be restored when needed.
- 4.
Audit log monitoring: Implement a system to monitor and review backup logs for any errors or anomalies that may need attention.
- 5.
Encryption of backup data: Ensure that the backup data stored is encrypted to meet HIPAA security standards.
- 6.
Access controls: Implement appropriate access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can manage and retrieve backup data.
Necessary Codes:
The following are the necessary codes and configurations that may be required to implement the backup plan for EFS file systems:
- 1.Backup scheduling: Set up a recurring backup schedule to ensure backups are performed regularly. An example command for scheduling a daily backup in Linux using the
job scheduler:cron
crontab -e
Add the following line to the crontab file:
0 0 * * * aws efs create-backup --file-system-id <file-system-id> --backup-tag Key=hipaa,Value=true
Replace
<file-system-id>- 1.Backup retention policy: Define a retention policy to determine how long backups should be kept. The retention period should comply with HIPAA requirements. An example command to set a retention policy of 30 days in AWS CLI:
aws backup put-lifecycle --lifecycle-name <lifecycle-name> --delete-after-days 30 --region <region>
Replace
<lifecycle-name><region>- 1.Encryption of backup data: Ensure that backups are encrypted at rest to comply with HIPAA. An example command to enable encryption for EFS backups:
aws backup update-recovery-point-lifecycle --backup-vault-name <backup-vault-name> --encryption-key-id <encryption-key-id>
Replace
<backup-vault-name><encryption-key-id>Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation:
Follow these steps to implement the backup plan for EFS file systems:
- 1.
Identify the EFS file systems: Determine which EFS file systems are subject to HIPAA compliance and need to be included in the backup plan.
- 2.
Evaluate existing backup system: Assess the current backup system to ensure it meets HIPAA requirements or if any modifications are necessary.
- 3.
Schedule regular backups: Set up a schedule using a tool like
or any other backup software to perform backups at regular intervals (e.g., daily, weekly).cron - 4.
Define retention policy: Determine how long backups should be retained based on HIPAA requirements. Set up a retention policy to automatically delete outdated backups.
- 5.
Enable encryption: Configure backup systems to encrypt the backup data at rest using an appropriate encryption mechanism, such as AWS KMS.
- 6.
Test and validate backups: Periodically test the backup system to ensure data is being backed up accurately and can be restored when needed.
- 7.
Monitor backup logs: Implement log monitoring to identify any issues or errors encountered during the backup process.
- 8.
Set access controls: Restrict access to backup data to authorized individuals only.
- 9.
Document the backup plan: Maintain documentation outlining the backup plan, including schedules, retention policy, and access controls.
By following these steps, EFS file systems can be protected by a backup plan in compliance with HIPAA standards.