Cis AWS Database 6.6

6.6 Ensure Monitoring and Alerting is Enabled (Manual)

Description

Implementing monitoring and alerting on Amazon MemoryDB allows you to proactively detect and respond to any performance issues, security events, or operational anomalies.

Rationale

This helps in ensuring that everything in the system is secure and if there is an unusual activity that takes place it addresses the issues quickly and efficiently.

Impact

Enabling monitoring and alerting has a positive impact in the business operations when the issue is identified and addressed accordingly.

Audit Procedure

Using AWS Console

1. Sign into the AWS Management Console

   • Sign into the AWS Management Console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/ with your AWS account credentials.

2. Open the Amazon MemoryDB Console

   • Navigate to the service using the Find Services search bar or by directly accessing the console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/memorydb/.

3. Select the Cluster

   • Choose the Amazon MemoryDB cluster for which you want to implement monitoring and alerting. Click on the cluster name to access its details page.

4. Enable Amazon CloudWatch

   • In the cluster details page, navigate to the Monitoring or CloudWatch section.
   • Click on Enable to enable CloudWatch monitoring for the cluster.
   • Select the appropriate CloudWatch metric categories to monitor, such as CPU utilization, memory utilization, network traffic, and storage capacity.
   • Configure the desired granularity and period for metric collection.
   • Click Enable or Save to enable CloudWatch monitoring for the cluster.

5. Set Up CloudWatch Alarms

   • In the CloudWatch console, navigate to Alarms in the left-side menu.
   • Click on Create Alarm to set up a new alarm.
   • Select the CloudWatch metric related to the aspect you want to monitor, such as CPU utilization or memory utilization.
   • Configure the alarm threshold based on your desired criteria, such as setting CPU utilization above a certain percentage.
   • Define the actions to be taken when the alarm is triggered.
   • Click Create Alarm to create the CloudWatch alarm.

6. Configure Amazon EventBridge Rules (Optional)

   • In the Amazon EventBridge console, navigate to Rules in the left-side menu.
   • Click on Create rule to set up a new rule.
   • Define the event pattern or source that should trigger the rule, such as specific MemoryDB events or errors.
   • Configure the target actions, such as sending notifications, executing AWS Lambda functions, or invoking AWS Step Functions.
   • Click Create to create the EventBridge rule.

7. Configure Auto Scaling (Optional)

   • In the MemoryDB cluster details page, navigate to the Auto Scaling section.
   • Configure auto-scaling settings based on your workload and performance requirements.
   • Define the scaling policies, such as increasing or decreasing the number of replica nodes based on CPU utilization or other metrics.
   • Set the desired minimum and maximum number of replica nodes for the cluster.
   • Click Save or Apply Changes to apply the auto-scaling configuration.

8. Regularly Review and Adjust Monitoring and Alarms

   • Periodically review the CloudWatch metrics and alarms to ensure they align with your monitoring needs and performance expectations.
   • Adjust the thresholds and actions based on changing workload patterns or performance requirements.
   • Stay informed about new CloudWatch features and best practices to optimize your monitoring setup.

Expected Result

CloudWatch monitoring is enabled with appropriate metrics, alarms are configured for critical thresholds, and alerting mechanisms are in place for all MemoryDB clusters.

Remediation

Using AWS Console

Follow the audit procedure steps to enable CloudWatch monitoring, create alarms, and configure EventBridge rules for each MemoryDB cluster.

Default Value

Amazon MemoryDB publishes metrics to CloudWatch automatically. CloudWatch alarms and EventBridge rules must be configured manually.

References

1. https://aws.amazon.com/products/databases/

CIS Controls

Profile

Level 1 | Manual