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Launch Templates with Disk Configuration Should Encrypt the Disks

### Overview

Category

Controls

Medium

Applies to

AWS

Coverage

null controls, 1 queries

Asset types

1 covered

Overview

Overview

VM templates that specify storage configuration should enforce encrypted disks.

Remediation guidance

  1. Open the Launch Template in the AWS Console using the dedicated button
  2. From the actions menu, select Modify template (Create new version)
  3. Scroll down to Storage (Volumes)
  4. For each EBS Volume set Encrypted to Encrypted
  5. Use the new launch template version instead of the old one
  6. Delete the old template version

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.

Retrieve AWS Launch Template Without Encrypted EBS

Connectors

AWS

Covered asset types

LaunchTemplateVersion

Expected check: eq []

{
  launchTemplateVersions(
    where: { blockDeviceMappings_SOME: { encrypted: "false" } }
  ) {...AssetFragment}
}
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