Rule: EBS volumes should be protected by a backup plan
This rule ensures that EBS volumes have a backup plan in place for protection.
| Rule | EBS volumes should be protected by a backup plan |
| Framework | NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1.1 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Description
EBS volumes are the virtual hard drives used by Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances. It is essential to have a proper backup plan in place for EBS volumes to ensure the protection and recovery of data in case of data loss, accidental deletion, or system failure. This rule aligns with the guidelines provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) version 1.
Policy Details
- 1.Policy Rule: EBS volumes must be protected by a comprehensive backup plan.
- 2.Policy Framework: NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1.
- 3.Policy Severity: High.
- 4.Compliance Status Check: Automated.
Remediation Steps
To ensure compliance with the policy rule, the following steps can be taken:
Step 1: Identify Critical Data
Identify the critical data stored on the EBS volumes that require backup. Determine the priority and importance of this data to establish an appropriate backup strategy.
Step 2: Implement Regular Backups
Regularly backup the data stored on EBS volumes by following the backup strategy defined in the previous step. Consider the following best practices:
- Backup Frequency: Determine the frequency at which backups should be performed based on the rate of data change and the importance of the data.
- Backup Retention: Decide on the retention period for backups, considering the recovery point objectives (RPO).
- Backup Types: Consider different backup techniques, such as full backups, incremental backups, or differential backups, based on the specific requirements of the data.
- Backup Storage: Choose a secure and reliable backup storage location, such as Amazon S3 or another off-site storage solution.
Step 3: Testing and Verification
Periodically test the backup process and verify the integrity and recoverability of the backed-up data. This step ensures that the backup solution is functioning correctly and data can be restored if needed.
Step 4: Automation and Monitoring
Implement automation to streamline the backup process and ensure consistency. Utilize AWS services, such as AWS Backup, to automate and manage backups. Enable monitoring and alerting to be promptly notified of any backup failures or issues.
Step 5: Document and Review
Document the backup plan, including the backup schedule, retention policy, and any relevant information. Regularly review the backup plan to ensure it remains up-to-date with any changes in data requirements or business needs.
Troubleshooting Steps
If any issues arise during the implementation or execution of the backup plan, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- 1.
Issue: Backup failures or errors.
- Troubleshooting: Check the backup logs or AWS Backup console for error messages. Verify the backup storage location's connectivity and correct credentials. Ensure sufficient storage space is available for the backups. If the issue persists, consult AWS documentation or technical support.
- 2.
Issue: Restoring data from backups.
- Troubleshooting: Validate that the backed-up data is accessible and intact. Follow the AWS documentation on how to restore data from backups specific to the chosen backup solution (e.g., AWS Backup). Ensure the necessary permissions are granted to perform the restore operation.
- 3.
Issue: Backup schedule or retention not aligned with requirements.
- Troubleshooting: Review the backup plan and verify the configured schedule and retention settings. Make the necessary adjustments to match the desired requirements using the appropriate AWS management console or CLI commands.
- 4.
Issue: Backup process not automated.
- Troubleshooting: Evaluate the current backup process and identify areas that can be automated. Utilize AWS services like AWS Backup or AWS CLI scripting to automate the backups, adhering to the required schedule and retention policies.
Additional Resources
- AWS Backup documentation: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/aws-backup/
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework