---
title: CloudWatch log group without KMS
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
  Security > IaC Security Rules > CloudWatch log group without KMS
---

# CloudWatch log group without KMS

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## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**Id:** `terraform-aws-cloudwatch-log-group-not-encrypted` 

**Provider:** AWS

**Platform:** Terraform

**Severity:** Medium

**Category:** Encryption

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

- [Provider Reference](https://registry.terraform.io/providers/hashicorp/aws/latest/docs/resources/cloudwatch_log_group)

### Description{% #description %}

AWS CloudWatch log groups should use KMS encryption to protect sensitive log data at rest. When the `aws_cloudwatch_log_group` resource is defined without the `kms_key_id` attribute, as in the following example, logs are stored unencrypted or with default encryption, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access if AWS accounts or storage is compromised:

```
resource "aws_cloudwatch_log_group" "negative1" {
  name = "Yada"
  retention_in_days = 1
}
```

By specifying the `kms_key_id` attribute, you ensure that log data is encrypted with a customer-managed AWS KMS key, reducing the risk of data exposure.

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

```terraform
resource "aws_cloudwatch_log_group" "negative1" {
  name = "Yada"

  tags = {
    Environment = "production"
    Application = "serviceA"
  }

  retention_in_days = 1
  kms_key_id = "arn:aws:kms:us-west-2:111122223333:key/1234abcd-12ab-34cd-56ef-1234567890ab"
}
```

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

```terraform
resource "aws_cloudwatch_log_group" "negative1" {
  name = "Yada"

  tags = {
    Environment = "production"
    Application = "serviceA"
  }

  retention_in_days = 1
}
```