OpenSearch domains node-to-node encryption should be enabled¶

This control checks if AWS OpenSearch Service nodes are encrypted end to end. The rule is non-compliant if the node-to-node encryption is not enabled on the domain.

How to fix¶

Attribute node_to_node_encryption[0].enabled of aws_opensearch_domain must be true.

Implementation options¶

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

Option 1: Compliance.tf module (recommended)¶

Use the compliance.tf registry module to get this control enforced by default. This control is mapped to the frameworks shown in the tabs above. To begin, see get started with compliance.tf.

Title 21 CFR Part 11EU GMP Annex 11HIPAA Omnibus Rule 2013HIPAA Security Rule 2003NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2NIST Cybersecurity Framework v1.1NIST Cybersecurity Framework v2.0NYDFS Cybersecurity RegulationPCI DSS v4.0

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "cfrpart11.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "eugmpannex11.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "hipaa.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "hipaasecurity2003.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "nist800171.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "nistcsfv11.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "nistcsf.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "nydfs23.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "pcidss.compliance.tf/terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"
}

Option 2: Open source module (`terraform-aws-modules`)¶

If you use terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws, configure the required module inputs to satisfy this control. You can later migrate to the compliance.tf module with minimal changes because it is compatible by design.

module "opensearch" {
  source  = "terraform-aws-modules/opensearch/aws"
  version = ">=2.0.0,<3.0.0"

  cluster_config = {
    instance_count = 1
    instance_type  = "t3.small.search"
  }
  domain_name = "abc123"
  ebs_options = {
    ebs_enabled = true
    volume_size = 64
    volume_type = "gp3"
  }
  engine_version = "OpenSearch_2.11"

  node_to_node_encryption = {
    enabled = true
  }
}

Option 3: 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_opensearch_domain.

resource "aws_opensearch_domain" "this" {
  advanced_security_options {
    enabled                        = true
    internal_user_database_enabled = false

    master_user_options {
      master_user_name     = "admin"
      master_user_password = "ChangeMe123!"
    }
  }

  cluster_config {
    instance_count         = 3
    instance_type          = "m5.large.search"
    zone_awareness_enabled = true
  }

  cognito_options {
    enabled          = true
    identity_pool_id = "us-east-1:12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012"
    role_arn         = "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/CognitoAccessForAmazonOpenSearch"
    user_pool_id     = "us-east-1_Example"
  }

  domain_name = "pofix-example"

  log_publishing_options {
    cloudwatch_log_group_arn = "arn:aws:logs:us-east-1:123456789012:log-group:example-log-group"
    log_type                 = "AUDIT_LOGS"
  }
  log_publishing_options {
    cloudwatch_log_group_arn = "arn:aws:logs:us-east-1:123456789012:log-group:example-log-group"
    log_type                 = "ES_APPLICATION_LOGS"
  }

  vpc_options {
    security_group_ids = ["sg-abc12345"]
    subnet_ids         = [element(["subnet-abc123", "subnet-def456"], 0)]
  }

  node_to_node_encryption {
    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: opensearch_domain_node_to_node_encryption_enabled
AWS Config Managed Rules: ELASTICSEARCH_NODE_TO_NODE_ENCRYPTION_CHECK, OPENSEARCH_NODE_TO_NODE_ENCRYPTION_CHECK
Checkov Check: CKV_AWS_6
Powerpipe Controls: aws_compliance.control.es_domain_node_to_node_encryption_enabled, aws_compliance.control.opensearch_domain_node_to_node_encryption_enabled