> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/ebs-snapshots-were-created-from-an-ec2-instance.md).

# EBS snapshots were created from an EC2 instance

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                           |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                         |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                         |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)              |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                           |
| Required Data        | AWS Audit Log                   |
| Detection Modules    | Cloud                           |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Collection (TA0009)             |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530) |
| Severity             | Informational                   |

### Description

One or more EBS snapshots were created from an EC2 instance.

### Attacker's Goals

* Clone existing compute volumes for exfiltration purposes.
* This action may be a preliminary action before downloading snapshot blocks or creating volumes from the snapshots.

### Investigative actions

* Confirm that the identity intended to create the described snapshots.
* Monitor the source instance for additional suspicious activities.
* Follow further actions done by the identity.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>EBS snapshots were created from an EC2 instance attached one or more volumes with sensitive data</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                           |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Collection (TA0009)             |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530) |
| Severity          | Low                             |

**Description**

One or more EBS snapshots were created from an EC2 instance. The instance has one or more volumes attached containing sensitive data.

**Attacker's Goals**

* Clone existing compute volumes for exfiltration purposes.
* This action may be a preliminary action before downloading snapshot blocks or creating volumes from the snapshots.

**Investigative actions**

* Confirm that the identity intended to create the described snapshots.
* Monitor the source instance for additional suspicious activities.
* Follow further actions done by the identity.

</details>

<details>

<summary>An unusual creation of EBS snapshots from an EC2 instances</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                           |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Collection (TA0009)             |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data from Cloud Storage (T1530) |
| Severity          | Low                             |

**Description**

One or more EBS snapshots were created from an EC2 instance. The operation was not performed by this identity in the last 30 days.

**Attacker's Goals**

* Clone existing compute volumes for exfiltration purposes.
* This action may be a preliminary action before downloading snapshot blocks or creating volumes from the snapshots.

**Investigative actions**

* Confirm that the identity intended to create the described snapshots.
* Monitor the source instance for additional suspicious activities.
* Follow further actions done by the identity.

</details>


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