Ensure RDS instances use encrypted volumes

In AWS, you can only encrypt a database when you create it. However, you can create a snapshot of a database, encrypt that snapshot, and restore it as encrypted.

From the Console

Perform the following actions to create an encrypted database instance from the current one:

1. Open the security settings using the "Open in AWS" menu option
2. Select Actions, and then Take a snapshot
3. Give it a name and click Take snapshot
4. Select the newly created snapshot, and then Actions, Copy snapshot
5. Select the region and give it a name
6. Select a KMS key to encrypt the database with
7. After you created the copy, select it
8. Select Actions, and then Restore snapshot
9. Select the appropriate settings and click Restore DB Instance

Default Value

By default, encryption is turned on when creating a new database.

References

1. Encrypting Amazon RDS resources
2. Copying a DB snapshot

Service-wide remediation

Recommended when many resources are affected: fix the platform baseline first so new resources inherit the secure setting, then remediate the existing flagged resources in batches.

AWS

Use AWS Organizations guardrails, AWS Config rules or conformance packs where they fit, approved account baselines, and IaC modules so new resources inherit the secure setting.

Operational rollout

1. Fix the baseline first at the account, subscription, project, cluster, or tenant scope that owns this control.
2. Remediate the currently affected resources in batches, starting with internet-exposed and production assets.
3. Re-scan and track approved exceptions with an owner and expiry date.