Ensure EFS File Systems are Included in Backup Plan Rule
This rule emphasizes the necessity of including EFS file systems in the backup plan to ensure data recovery in case of emergencies.
| Rule | EFS file systems should be in a backup plan |
| Framework | NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1.1 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description
EFS (Elastic File System) file systems should be included in the backup plan for NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v1. This rule ensures that all important data stored in EFS file systems is regularly backed up to protect against data loss, unauthorized access, or other security incidents.
Troubleshooting Steps (if applicable)
If backups of EFS file systems are not being performed according to the defined backup plan, the following troubleshooting steps can help identify and resolve potential issues:
- 1.
Verify Backup Schedule: Check if the backup schedule for EFS file systems is properly defined. Ensure that backups are scheduled at regular intervals and align with the backup requirements defined by the organization.
- 2.
Check Backup Status: Validate if backup jobs for EFS file systems are running successfully. Monitor the backup job logs or notification alerts to confirm that backups are completing without errors.
- 3.
Review Permission Settings: Ensure that the necessary permissions are assigned to the backup process or service account to access and perform backups on the EFS file systems. Check if any recent changes to permissions have impacted the backup process.
- 4.
Monitor Storage Capacity: Confirm that there is sufficient storage capacity available for the backup storage location. If the backup storage is running out of space, it may lead to backup failures. Consider increasing the storage capacity or deleting older backups to free up space if needed.
- 5.
Network Connectivity: Verify network connectivity between EFS file systems and the backup storage location. Check if any firewall rules or network configurations are blocking the backup traffic.
- 6.
Validate Backup Integrity: After a backup job completes, verify the integrity of the backed-up data. Perform periodic data restoration tests to ensure that backups are reliable and can be restored successfully when needed.
Necessary Codes (if applicable)
In some cases, specific codes or scripts may be necessary to ensure proper backup of EFS file systems. The following example demonstrates a basic Python script that utilizes the AWS CLI (Command Line Interface) to automate EFS backups:
import subprocess # Define necessary variables efs_file_system_id = "fs-12345678" backup_bucket_name = "my-efs-backups" # Create EFS file system backup backup_command = f"aws efs create-backup --file-system-id {efs_file_system_id} --backup-tags BackupType=Automated --profile my-aws-profile" subprocess.run(backup_command, shell=True) # Copy backup to S3 bucket copy_to_s3_command = f"aws efs copy-backup --backup-id $BACKUP_ID --copy-tags BackupType=Automated,Stage=Production --destination-region us-west-2 --destination-file-system-id {efs_file_system_id} --kms-key-id alias/aws/efs --profile my-aws-profile" subprocess.run(copy_to_s3_command, shell=True)
Please note that the above code is just an example and may need modification based on your specific environment and requirements. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions and credentials set up to execute these commands.
Remediation Steps
To ensure compliance with the rule and include EFS file systems in the backup plan for NIST CSF v1, follow these step-by-step remediation steps:
- 1.
Identify Critical EFS File Systems: Determine which EFS file systems contain critical data that must be included in the backup plan. This can be based on the sensitivity and importance of the data stored.
- 2.
Define Backup Schedule: Establish a backup schedule for the identified EFS file systems. This should include regular intervals at which backups will be performed (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
- 3.
Select Backup Storage Location: Identify an appropriate backup storage location. Consider using AWS S3 buckets or other reliable and secure storage options that meet your organization's requirements.
- 4.
Configure Backup Automation: Use scripts, automation tools, or cloud-native backup solutions to automate the backup process for EFS file systems. Ideally, leverage existing backup solutions provided by your cloud service provider.
- 5.
Implement Backup Retention Policy: Define a backup retention policy to determine how long the backups should be retained. This policy should align with your organization's data retention requirements and compliance regulations.
- 6.
Monitor Backup Execution: Regularly review backup logs, notifications, or alerts to ensure that backups are being executed successfully according to the defined schedule. Investigate and resolve any errors or failures promptly.
- 7.
Perform Data Restoration Tests: Periodically test the restoration process by restoring backups to a test environment. This ensures that the backups are valid and can be restored without data corruption or loss when needed.
- 8.
Review and Update Backup Plan: Periodically review the backup plan to ensure it aligns with any changes in the EFS file systems or data stored within them. Adjust the backup strategy as necessary based on evolving requirements.
By following these steps, you can effectively include EFS file systems in the backup plan for compliance with the NIST CSF v1. This helps safeguard critical data and maintain business continuity in case of any security incidents or data loss.