---
title: RDS instance with backup disabled
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
  Security > IaC Security Rules > RDS instance with backup disabled
---

# RDS instance with backup disabled

{% callout %}
# Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com

{% alert level="danger" %}
This product is not supported for your selected [Datadog site](https://docs.datadoghq.com/getting_started/site.md). ().
{% /alert %}

{% /callout %}

## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**Id:** `e69890e6-fce5-461d-98ad-cb98318dfc96`

**Cloud Provider:** AWS

**Platform:** Ansible

**Severity:** Medium

**Category:** Backup

#### Learn More{% #learn-more %}

- [Provider Reference](https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/collections/amazon/aws/rds_instance_module.html#parameter-backup_retention_period)

### Description{% #description %}

An RDS instance with automated backups disabled (`backup_retention_period` set to `0`) cannot perform point-in-time recovery and is at increased risk of permanent data loss and regulatory non‑compliance.

For Ansible resources using `amazon.aws.rds_instance` or `rds_instance`, the `backup_retention_period` property must be defined and set to an integer greater than `0` (value is in days). Resources missing this property or with `backup_retention_period: 0` are flagged. Set it to at least `1` (commonly 7 or more) based on your recovery objectives.

Secure configuration example for Ansible:

```yaml
- name: Create RDS instance with automated backups
  amazon.aws.rds_instance:
    db_instance_identifier: mydb
    engine: postgres
    instance_class: db.t3.medium
    allocated_storage: 20
    backup_retention_period: 7
```

## Compliant Code Examples{% #compliant-code-examples %}

```yaml
- name: create minimal aurora instance in default VPC and default subnet group
  amazon.aws.rds_instance:
    engine: aurora
    db_instance_identifier: ansible-test-aurora-db-instance
    instance_type: db.t2.small
    password: '{{ password }}'
    username: '{{ username }}'
    cluster_id: ansible-test-cluster  # This cluster must exist - see rds_cluster to manage it
    backup_retention_period: 5
- name: create minimal aurora instance in default VPC and default subnet group2
  amazon.aws.rds_instance:
    engine: aurora
    db_instance_identifier: ansible-test-aurora-db-instance
    instance_type: db.t2.small
    password: '{{ password }}'
    username: '{{ username }}'
    cluster_id: ansible-test-cluster  # This cluster must exist - see rds_cluster to manage it
```

## Non-Compliant Code Examples{% #non-compliant-code-examples %}

```yaml
---
- name: create minimal aurora instance in default VPC and default subnet group
  amazon.aws.rds_instance:
    engine: aurora
    db_instance_identifier: ansible-test-aurora-db-instance
    instance_type: db.t2.small
    password: "{{ password }}"
    username: "{{ username }}"
    cluster_id: ansible-test-cluster  # This cluster must exist - see rds_cluster to manage it
    backup_retention_period: 0
```