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CloudWatch alarm action should be enabled

Checks if AWS CloudWatch alarm actions are in enabled state. The rule is non-compliant if the CloudWatch alarm actions are not in enabled state.

How to fix

Attribute actions_enabled of aws_cloudwatch_metric_alarm must be true.

Implementation options

Choose the option that matches how you manage Terraform. All options satisfy this control.

Option 1: Terraform AWS provider resources

If you manage resources directly, configure the relevant Terraform AWS provider resources to meet this control. See docs for the resources involved: aws_cloudwatch_metric_alarm.

resource "aws_cloudwatch_metric_alarm" "this" {
  alarm_name          = "pofix-example-alarm"
  comparison_operator = "GreaterThanOrEqualToThreshold"
  evaluation_periods  = 1
  metric_name         = "CPUUtilization"
  namespace           = "AWS/EC2"
  period              = 300
  statistic           = "Average"
  threshold           = 80

  actions_enabled = true
}
Which option should I choose?
  • Compliance.tf module (recommended): controls enforced by default and mapped to frameworks.
  • Open source module (terraform-aws-modules): compatible by design with compliance.tf. Same variable names for an easy, low-change migration path when you are ready.
  • Terraform AWS provider resources: manage Terraform resources directly.

Tool mappings

Use these identifiers to cross-reference this control across tools, reports, and evidence.

  • Compliance.tf (CTF) Control: cloudwatch_alarm_action_enabled_check

  • AWS Config Managed Rule: CLOUDWATCH_ALARM_ACTION_ENABLED_CHECK

  • Checkov Check: CKV_AWS_319

  • Powerpipe Control: aws_compliance.control.cloudwatch_alarm_action_enabled_check