10 AWS EC2 Patching Best Practices

AWS EC2 patching is an important part of keeping your cloud environment secure and up-to-date. It’s essential to ensure that all of your EC2 instances are patched regularly to prevent security vulnerabilities and other issues.

In this article, we’ll discuss 10 best practices for patching your AWS EC2 instances. We’ll cover topics such as patching frequency, patching strategies, and patching automation. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your EC2 instances are secure and up-to-date.

1. Use AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager to patch your instances

AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager automates the process of patching your EC2 instances, making it easier and faster to keep them up-to-date. It also allows you to define a patch baseline that specifies which patches should be applied and when they should be applied. This helps ensure that all of your instances are patched in a consistent manner. Additionally, AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager provides detailed reports on patch compliance so you can easily identify any instances that may need attention.

2. Create a patch baseline for each operating system type and version

A patch baseline is a set of rules that define which patches should be applied to an EC2 instance. By creating separate baselines for each operating system type and version, you can ensure that the correct patches are being applied to the right instances. This helps reduce the risk of applying incompatible patches or missing important security updates.

Creating separate patch baselines also makes it easier to manage your patching process. You can quickly identify which instances need to be patched and when they need to be patched. Additionally, you can use AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager to automate the patching process, ensuring that all of your EC2 instances remain up-to-date with the latest security patches.

3. Enable the EC2Config service on Windows Server instances

The EC2Config service is a Windows-based service that helps you manage and configure your Amazon EC2 instances. It provides an easy way to install security patches, update drivers, and perform other system maintenance tasks. By enabling the EC2Config service on your Windows Server instances, you can ensure that all of your systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches and driver updates. This will help protect your systems from potential vulnerabilities and keep them running smoothly.

4. Automate instance patching with State Manager associations

State Manager associations allow you to define a patch baseline and schedule for your EC2 instances. This means that all of your instances will be automatically patched according to the defined schedule, ensuring that they are always up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Additionally, State Manager allows you to specify which patches should be applied and when, giving you full control over the patching process. This ensures that only necessary patches are installed, reducing the risk of introducing new vulnerabilities or breaking existing functionality.

5. Configure Amazon CloudWatch Events to trigger automated patching

CloudWatch Events can be used to detect when new patches are available for your EC2 instances and then trigger an automated patching process. This ensures that all of your EC2 instances are always up-to-date with the latest security patches, reducing the risk of a potential breach or attack.

To configure CloudWatch Events for automated patching, you’ll need to create a rule that monitors for new patch availability and then triggers a Lambda function that will apply the patch to your EC2 instance. You can also set up notifications so that you’re alerted whenever a patch is applied.

6. Use Systems Manager Run Command to apply patches manually

Run Command allows you to apply patches quickly and easily, without having to manually log into each instance. It also gives you the ability to audit patching activities across your entire fleet of EC2 instances. This helps ensure that all of your instances are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Additionally, Run Command can be used to automate patching processes, so that you don’t have to worry about manual intervention. You can set up a schedule for when patches should be applied, or even trigger them based on certain events. This makes it easier to keep your EC2 instances secure and compliant with industry standards.

7. Manage non-Amazon Linux instances with Systems Manager Agent

Systems Manager Agent is a secure and lightweight agent that can be installed on EC2 instances running Windows or Linux. It allows you to remotely manage your instances, including patching them with the latest security updates.

Using Systems Manager Agent also helps ensure compliance with industry standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. Additionally, it provides detailed insights into the health of your instances, allowing you to quickly identify any potential issues before they become major problems.

8. Use Systems Manager Maintenance Window to schedule patching

Systems Manager Maintenance Window allows you to schedule patching for your EC2 instances in a way that minimizes disruption and downtime. You can set up the window to run at specific times, such as during off-peak hours or when traffic is low. This ensures that any patches applied won’t interfere with user experience or cause unexpected outages.

Additionally, Systems Manager Maintenance Window provides visibility into the patching process so you can track progress and ensure all of your EC2 instances are patched on time. It also helps automate the patching process, which saves time and resources.

9. Monitor patch compliance by using Systems Manager Inventory

Systems Manager Inventory allows you to track the patch compliance of your EC2 instances, so that you can ensure they are up-to-date with the latest security patches. This is important because it helps protect against potential vulnerabilities and exploits.

Systems Manager Inventory also provides detailed information about each instance, such as its operating system version, installed applications, and available patches. This makes it easy to identify which instances need to be patched and when. Additionally, Systems Manager Inventory can be used to automate patching processes, making them more efficient and reducing manual effort.

10. Track patch compliance with Systems Manager Compliance

Systems Manager Compliance allows you to track patch compliance across your EC2 instances. It provides visibility into the patch status of all your instances, so you can quickly identify which ones are out of date and need to be patched. You can also set up automated remediation actions that will automatically apply patches when they become available. This helps ensure that your EC2 instances remain secure and compliant with industry standards.