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Use Case for AWS RDS DB Instances should use encrypted storage

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  2. Use Case for AWS RDS DB Instances should use encrypted storage
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    1. Triage AWS RDS DB Instances should use encrypted storage ENCRYPTION_NOT_ENABLED

An Introduction to AWS RDS DBInstance Storage Encryption​

Storage encryption is a security feature in AWS RDS that helps protect your data by encrypting it at rest. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of using storage encryption in your RDS DBInstances, providing insights to help you make an informed decision.

Why Data Security Matters for Cloud-Based Databases​

As organizations increasingly migrate their databases to the cloud, ensuring data security becomes a top priority. Data breaches and unauthorized access can lead to loss of customer trust, financial repercussions, and legal penalties. Protecting sensitive information and meeting regulatory compliance standards are crucial aspects of managing cloud-based databases.

Grasping Storage Encryption Concepts in AWS RDS DBInstances​

Storage Encryption: Definition and Objectives​

Storage encryption is a technique used to safeguard data by converting it into an unreadable format using encryption algorithms. The primary objective of storage encryption is to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and ensure its confidentiality and integrity.

The Inner Workings of AWS RDS Storage Encryption​

AWS RDS storage encryption uses the industry-standard AES-256 encryption algorithm to encrypt data at rest. When you create an encrypted RDS DBInstance, AWS generates a unique key using the AWS Key Management Service (KMS). The encrypted data can only be decrypted with the corresponding key, ensuring the data remains secure and accessible only to authorized users.

Pros of Activating Storage Encryption on RDS DBInstances​

Strengthening Data Security with AWS RDS Storage Encryption​

How Encryption Protects Data-at-Rest​

Storage encryption protects your data when it's stored on disk, including database files, backups, and snapshots. Encrypting data at rest ensures that even if an unauthorized user gains access to the physical storage, they will not be able to read the data without the decryption key.

Thwarting Unauthorized Access​

AWS RDS storage encryption works in conjunction with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) to control access to encrypted DBInstances. This combination ensures that only authorized users and applications can access and interact with your encrypted data.

Compliance Standards and AWS RDS Encryption​

Many industries and regions have strict regulatory requirements for data protection, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These regulations often require organizations to implement encryption for sensitive data.

Encrypting AWS RDS Instances Upon Creation​

When you create a new RDS DBInstance, you have the option to enable storage encryption with a simple checkbox. Once enabled, AWS handles the encryption process behind the scenes. Existing DBInstances cannot modify encryption settings.

Cons of Enabling Storage Encryption on RDS DBInstances​

Assessing Storage Encryption's Impact on AWS RDS Performance​

Evaluating I/O Operations Overhead​

Storage encryption can introduce a slight overhead to I/O operations due to the additional processing required for encryption and decryption. However, the impact is generally minimal and may not be noticeable in most use cases.

AWS RDS Encryption Limitations to Consider​

Challenges in Encrypting Existing AWS RDS Instances​

Enabling storage encryption for existing RDS DBInstances is not as straightforward as with new instances. To encrypt an existing instance, you must create a snapshot, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and then restore the encrypted snapshot to a new DBInstance. See our remediation guide for detailed steps.

Unsupported Database Engines or Features​

Not all database engines and features in AWS RDS support storage encryption. Be sure to check the AWS documentation to determine whether your chosen engine or specific features are compatible with storage encryption. (Availability of Amazon RDS encryption)

Cost Considerations for Implementing AWS RDS Storage Encryption​

When using AWS RDS storage encryption, you may incur additional costs for the AWS Key Management Service. These costs depend on factors such as the number of keys you manage and the number of encryption and decryption requests. Be sure to review the AWS KMS pricing details to understand and estimate potential costs.