Enable CloudWatch Alarm Action Rule
This rule ensures that CloudWatch alarm action is enabled.
| Rule | CloudWatch alarm action should be enabled |
| Framework | NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1.1 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description
Enabling CloudWatch alarm actions for NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1 ensures that any security events or anomalies identified by the alarm can trigger automated responses or notifications. This proactive approach helps organizations adhere to CSF v1 recommendations and assists in maintaining a secure environment by promptly addressing potential threats or incidents.
Troubleshooting Steps (if applicable)
If the CloudWatch alarm actions are not properly enabled for CSF v1, the automated response or notification functionality will not be effective. To troubleshoot and resolve any potential issues, follow these steps:
- 1.
Verify Alarm Configuration: Confirm that the CloudWatch alarm associated with CSF v1 is properly configured and points to the correct event or anomaly to trigger appropriate actions.
- 2.
Check Permission Settings: Ensure that the IAM role or user associated with the CloudWatch alarm has sufficient permissions to execute the desired action. You may need to adjust the IAM policy accordingly.
- 3.
Review Action Settings: Double-check the settings for the alarm action, such as triggering an AWS Lambda function, sending an Amazon SNS notification, or initiating an automated remediation process. Make sure the action configuration aligns with your security requirements.
- 4.
Test Action Execution: Execute a test event or anomaly that should ideally trigger the CloudWatch alarm action. Validate if the action is properly executed and produces the expected outcome.
Necessary Code (if applicable)
To enable CloudWatch alarm actions for CSF v1, you need to create or modify the alarm configuration using AWS CloudFormation or AWS CLI. Below is an example of AWS CLI command to create a CloudWatch alarm action with SNS notification:
aws cloudwatch put-metric-alarm --alarm-name CSFv1_Alarm --alarm-description "NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1 Alarm" --metric-name Metric-1 --namespace CSF-Events --statistic Average --period 300 --threshold 10 --comparison-operator GreaterThanThreshold --evaluation-periods 1 --alarm-actions arn:aws:sns:us-west-2:123456789012:CSFv1_AlertTopic
Note: Modify the command parameters according to your specific requirements.
Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation
To enable CloudWatch alarm actions for CSF v1, follow these steps:
- 1.
Review Existing CloudWatch Alarms: Identify if you already have a CloudWatch alarm configured for monitoring CSF v1 events or anomalies. If you don't, skip to Step 3.
- 2.
Modify Existing Alarm: If you have an existing alarm, update the configuration to include the desired action(s). You can do this via the AWS Management Console or using AWS CLI/SDKs.
- Select the CloudWatch service from the AWS Management Console.
- Navigate to the Alarms section.
- Locate the CSF v1 alarm and click on it to modify the settings.
- Add the appropriate actions (such as SNS topic, AWS Lambda function) to trigger upon alarm activation.
- Save the changes.
- 1.
Create a New Alarm (if applicable): If you don't have an existing alarm for CSF v1, you need to create one. Use the CloudFormation template or AWS CLI to create a new alarm with the desired settings and appropriate alarm actions.
- 2.
Verify Alarm Actions: Validate the CloudWatch alarm actions by executing a test event or anomaly that should trigger the alarm. Ensure that the defined actions execute as expected, triggering the corresponding notifications or automated response tasks.
By following these steps, you can ensure that CloudWatch alarm actions are enabled for NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1, enhancing your organization's security posture and facilitating prompt responses to potential threats.