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Toony Mustafa
Toony Mustafa

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AWS EBS Default Encryption:

  • By default, EBS volumes are plain text.
  • EBS encryption happens at EC2 host instance.
  • EBS supports only symmetric KMS keys (Same key is used for encryption and decryption).
  • This flag is super helpful to help maintaining data encryption at rest/in transit policy for all EBS volumes, especially if there are multiple implementation teams.
  • This option will force EBS encryption using default encryption key (AWS managed key: aws/ebs) that chosen while enabling it, of course you can choose your own customer managed keys.
  • If AWS managed key is selected, you will only be charged for API requests not key creation.
  • In case there’s a specific encryption requirement (using other key), Default EBS encryption can be overridden at EC2 creation time.
  • This feature is regional; meaning you have to enable it separately in each desired region.
  • To enable EBS Default Encryption the process is very straightforward:
  1. Navigate to EC2 dashboard and to your right you will find EBS encryption under Account attributes as shown below:

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  1. Select enable > select desired encryption key> update EBS encryption

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References:
https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/AmazonEBS.html
https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/EBSEncryption.html

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