Enable CloudWatch Alarm Action Rule
This rule ensures CloudWatch alarm actions are enabled for effective monitoring.
| Rule | CloudWatch alarm action should be enabled |
| Framework | NIST 800-171 Revision 2 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description
The rule "CloudWatch alarm action should be enabled for NIST 800-171 Revision 2" ensures that the necessary actions are configured for CloudWatch alarms in order to comply with the security requirements specified in NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) 800-171 Revision 2. This rule helps in maintaining the security posture of the cloud environment and ensures that any potential threats or anomalies are detected in a timely manner.
Troubleshooting Steps
If the CloudWatch alarm action is not enabled for NIST 800-171 Revision 2, you can follow these troubleshooting steps to rectify the issue:
- 1.
Verify CloudWatch alarm configuration: Check if there are any misconfigurations in the CloudWatch alarm settings. Ensure that the alarm is properly configured to trigger actions based on the specified conditions.
- 2.
Check IAM policies: Verify the IAM policies associated with the CloudWatch alarm actions. Ensure that the policies have the necessary permissions to execute the required actions.
- 3.
Test alarm: Trigger the CloudWatch alarm manually or simulate a test scenario to verify if the alarm actions are triggered properly. This will help identify any issues with the alarm configuration or the associated actions.
- 4.
Check CloudWatch alarm logs: Review the CloudWatch alarm logs to identify any errors or issues related to the alarm action execution. Look for any error messages or failed attempts that could indicate the root cause of the problem.
- 5.
Verify connectivity: Ensure that the required network connectivity is available for the CloudWatch alarm actions to be executed. Check if the necessary network configurations like VPC peering, security groups, or Network ACLs are properly set up.
- 6.
Check CloudTrail logs: Review the CloudTrail logs to identify any events or activities related to the CloudWatch alarm actions. This will help in understanding if the alarm actions are being triggered but are not executed properly due to some other underlying issues.
Remediation Steps
To enable CloudWatch alarm actions for NIST 800-171 Revision 2, follow these step-by-step remediation steps:
- 1.
Access the AWS Management Console: Log in to the AWS Management Console using appropriate credentials.
- 2.
Open CloudWatch service: Navigate to the CloudWatch service by searching for "CloudWatch" in the AWS Management Console search bar and selecting the CloudWatch service from the results.
- 3.
Navigate to Alarms: In the CloudWatch console, click on the "Alarms" tab located in the sidebar on the left side of the screen.
- 4.
Select Alarm: Locate the specific alarm for which the action needs to be enabled and click on its name to access the alarm details.
- 5.
Configure Actions: In the alarm details, click on the "+ Create Actions" button to configure the required actions.
- 6.
Select Action Type: Choose the appropriate action type from the available options. This can include sending a notification to an SNS topic, triggering an AWS Lambda function, or even executing an EC2 Auto Scaling policy.
- 7.
Configure Action Details: Provide all the necessary details and configurations required for the selected action type. This may include specifying the SNS topic ARN, Lambda function details, or Auto Scaling policy name.
- 8.
Save and Enable Actions: Once all the action details are properly configured, click on the "Create Action" or "Save" button to save and enable the actions for the CloudWatch alarm.
- 9.
Test Action: To ensure that the actions are properly configured and working as expected, simulate a test scenario to trigger the alarm condition and verify if the configured actions are executed accordingly.
- 10.
Monitor and Review: Continuously monitor the CloudWatch alarm logs and any associated logs for any errors or issues related to the actions being executed. Make necessary adjustments as required.
By following these remediation steps, you can enable CloudWatch alarm actions to comply with NIST 800-171 Revision 2, detect potential security threats, and take appropriate actions in your AWS environment.