Rule: EBS Volumes Should Be Protected by a Backup Plan
Ensure EBS volumes are safeguarded with a backup plan to maintain data integrity and availability.
| Rule | EBS volumes should be protected by a backup plan |
| Framework | NIST 800-171 Revision 2 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description
EBS volumes should be protected by a backup plan for NIST 800-171 Revision 2. Ensuring the appropriate backup plan for Elastic Block Store (EBS) volumes is an essential security measure in compliance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171 Revision 2. This rule aims to prevent data loss and enable quick recovery in the event of accidental deletion, hardware failure, or other potential risks.
Troubleshooting Steps (if applicable)
If there are issues or concerns related to the backup plan for EBS volumes, the following troubleshooting steps can be followed:
- 1.
Verify Backup Policy: Check if there is an existing backup policy in place that aligns with the guidelines provided in NIST 800-171 Revision 2. This includes frequency of backups, retention period, and ensuring that data is appropriately safeguarded.
- 2.
Check Backup Tools: Confirm if the backup tools being used are compatible with AWS services and offer the necessary features to perform EBS volume backups. Ensure that the tools support incremental backups and encryption, if required.
- 3.
Review IAM Policies: Verify the AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies associated with the EBS volumes and backup tools. Ensure that the necessary permissions are granted to perform backups and that unauthorized access is restricted.
- 4.
Test Backup and Recovery Process: Perform a test backup and recovery process to simulate a potential failure or data loss scenario. Evaluate the time it takes to restore the data and validate if the backup solution is reliable and effective.
- 5.
Monitor Backup Status: Regularly monitor the backup status to ensure that backups are happening as per the defined policies. Look for any errors or failures during the backup process and address them promptly.
Necessary Codes (if applicable)
There are no specific codes to be implemented for this rule. However, the following AWS services and features can be utilized for implementing an effective backup plan for EBS volumes:
- 1.
AWS Backup: AWS Backup is a fully managed service that allows you to centrally configure and automate backups across multiple AWS services, including EBS volumes. It provides a simple and scalable solution for managing backups and enables you to define backup policies, monitor backup status, and restore data seamlessly.
- 2.
AWS CLI Commands: If prefered, AWS CLI (Command Line Interface) commands can be used to manage EBS volume backups. The following are a few examples of useful commands:
To create a backup plan:
aws backup create-backup-plan --backup-plan "MyBackupPlan" --rule-name "MyRule" --rule-idiom "BACKUP_NOW"To initiate a backup of a specific EBS volume:
aws backup start-backup-job --resource-arn "arn:aws:ec2:<region>:<account-id>:volume/<volume-id>"To restore a backup to a new EBS volume:
aws backup start-restore-job --recovery-point-arn "arn:aws:backup:<region>:<account-id>:recovery-point/<recovery-point-id>" --metadata '{"<tag>":"<value>"}'
Note: Replace
<region><account-id><volume-id><recovery-point-id><tag><value>Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation
To establish a backup plan for EBS volumes in compliance with NIST 800-171 Revision 2, follow these steps:
- 1.
Assess Backup Requirements: Identify and evaluate the backup requirements for your EBS volumes based on the sensitivity and criticality of the data they store. Determine factors such as backup frequency, retention period, and any data encryption requirements.
- 2.
Choose Backup Solution: Select an appropriate backup solution that aligns with your backup requirements and supports AWS EBS volume backups. Explore services like AWS Backup or compatible third-party tools that provide easy management, automation, and monitoring capabilities.
- 3.
Configure Backup Policies: Define backup policies according to NIST 800-171 Revision 2 guidelines. Specify the backup schedule, retention period, and encryption settings (if required). Ensure that the backup timeframes meet your Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO).
- 4.
Implement AWS Backup or Third-Party Tool: Set up and configure the chosen backup solution. If using AWS Backup, follow the official AWS documentation to create a backup vault, define backup plans, and associate EBS volumes with the backup plans.
- 5.
Test Backup and Recovery Process: Perform test backups and validate the recovery process. Ensure that backups are successfully created, and data can be restored to a new EBS volume without any issues. Document the time required for backup and recovery operations.
- 6.
Monitor Backup Status: Regularly monitor the backup status and perform periodic checks to ensure that the backups are happening as per the defined policies. Monitor the backup logs and verify that there are no failures or errors during the backup process.
- 7.
Review and Update Backup Plan: Periodically review your backup plan to ensure it remains effective and up to date. Adjust backup policies if necessary due to changes in data criticality, volume size, or regulatory requirements.
By following these steps, you can establish a reliable backup plan for your EBS volumes, meeting the NIST 800-171 Revision 2 requirements and ensuring data protection and recoverability.