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Ensure AWS Inspector is configured for EC2 Instances

### Overview

Category

Controls

Low

Applies to

AWS

Coverage

null controls, 1 queries

Asset types

1 covered

Overview

Overview

AWS Inspector is a security assessment service, used to assess applications for vulnerabilities or deviations from best practices. It is recommended to run AWS Inspector scans regularly.

Remediation guidance

AWS remediation

Console

  1. Open Amazon Inspector.
  2. Enable scanning for EC2 resources.
  3. Verify coverage for all required regions/accounts.

AWS CLI

aws inspector2 enable --resource-types EC2
aws inspector2 list-coverage --filter-criteria '{}'

References

  • https://docs.aws.amazon.com/inspector/latest/user/inspector_introduction.html
  • https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/inspector2/enable.html

Multiple Remediation Paths

AWS

SERVICE-WIDE (RECOMMENDED when many resources are affected): Deploy centralized guardrails and remediation using AWS Config Conformance Packs and (if applicable) AWS Organizations SCPs.

aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml

ASSET-LEVEL: Apply the resource-specific remediation steps above to only the affected assets.

PREVENTIVE: Add CI/CD policy checks (CloudFormation/Terraform validation) before deployment to prevent recurrence.

References for Service-Wide Patterns

  • AWS Config Conformance Packs: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/config/latest/developerguide/conformance-packs.html
  • AWS Organizations SCP examples: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/organizations/latest/userguide/orgs_manage_policies_scps_examples.html

Operational Rollout Workflow

Use this sequence to reduce risk and avoid repeated drift.

1. Contain at Service-Wide Scope First (Recommended)

  • AWS: deploy/adjust organization conformance packs and policy guardrails.
aws configservice put-organization-conformance-pack --organization-conformance-pack-name <pack-name> --template-s3-uri s3://<bucket>/<template>.yaml

2. Remediate Existing Affected Assets

  • Execute the control-specific Console/CLI steps documented above for each flagged resource.
  • Prioritize internet-exposed and production assets first.

3. Validate and Prevent Recurrence

  • Re-scan after each remediation batch.
  • Track exceptions with owner and expiry date.
  • Add preventive checks in IaC/CI pipelines.

Query logic

These are the stored checks tied to this control.

AWS Inspector is configured for EC2 Instances

Connectors

AWS

Covered asset types

VM

Expected check: eq []

{vms(where:{inspectorEnabled:false}){...AssetFragment}}
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