Rule: EFS File Systems in Backup Plan
This rule highlights the importance of including EFS file systems in a backup plan.
| Rule | EFS file systems should be in a backup plan |
| Framework | NIST 800-53 Revision 5 |
| Severity | ✔ High |
Rule Description:
According to NIST 800-53 Revision 5, EFS (Elastic File System) file systems should be included in the backup plan. EFS is a scalable and fully managed file storage service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It allows multiple Amazon EC2 instances to share data and provides concurrent access to multiple clients. As EFS is critical to the data storage and availability of an organization, it is vital to ensure that proper backup procedures are in place to protect against data loss.
Troubleshooting Steps:
If there are any issues or concerns regarding the backup plan for EFS file systems, the following troubleshooting steps can be followed:
- 1.
Verify EFS Configuration: Ensure that EFS file systems are properly configured and associated with the appropriate Amazon EC2 instances. Check if the necessary permissions and access controls are in place.
- 2.
Review Backup Schedule: Check the backup schedule for EFS file systems and ensure that it aligns with the organization's recovery point objectives (RPO). Make sure backups are performed at regular intervals to minimize potential data loss.
- 3.
Check Backup Retention: Verify the retention period for EFS backups. Ensure that backups are retained for a sufficient amount of time to meet the organization's recovery time objectives (RTO) and compliance requirements.
- 4.
Validate Backup Success: Confirm that backups for EFS file systems are completing successfully. Check the backup logs and monitor any error or warning messages indicating backup failures.
- 5.
Test Data Restoration: Periodically perform test restores to validate the integrity and availability of the backed-up data. This step ensures that data can be successfully restored in case of data loss or system failure.
Necessary Codes:
There are no specific codes required for this backup plan, as it primarily involves configuring backups and monitoring their success. However, the following AWS CLI command can be used to create a backup for an EFS file system:
aws backup create-backup --resource-arn arn:aws:elasticfilesystem:us-west-2:123456789012:file-system/fs-01234567
Replace
us-west-2123456789012fs-01234567Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation:
Follow the steps below to ensure EFS file systems are included in the backup plan:
- 1.
Identify EFS File Systems: List all EFS file systems within your AWS account.
- 2.
Verify Configuration: Confirm that each EFS file system is correctly associated with the necessary Amazon EC2 instances and is properly configured.
- 3.
Establish Backup Schedule: Determine the required frequency of backups based on the organization's RPO. Choose a backup schedule that aligns with the criticality and frequency of data updates.
- 4.
Set Backup Retention: Define an appropriate retention period for EFS backups, considering the organization's RTO and compliance requirements.
- 5.
Monitor Backup Success: Regularly check the backup logs and verify that backups are completing successfully. Address any failures or issues promptly to ensure data availability.
- 6.
Perform Test Restores: Periodically test the restoration process by restoring a subset of data from the backups. Validate that the restored data is accurate and accessible.
- 7.
Update Documentation: Keep proper documentation of the backup plan, including backup schedules, retention periods, and any troubleshooting steps.
By following these steps, organizations can ensure that EFS file systems are included in their backup plan, minimizing the risk of data loss, and complying with NIST 800-53 Revision 5 guidelines.