Check EC2 instances for mandatory tags at launch

The EC2 mandatory tags check template is designed to automatically validate EC2 instance tags at the time of launch. It leverages key AWS services, including CloudTrail, Lambda, SNS, and more, to detect non-compliant instances and send real-time notifications to administrators.

By automating this process, it ensures that no instance goes untagged or mis-tagged without manual intervention.

Why This Template is a Game Changer ?

This template offers a proactive approach to cloud governance. It stops compliance issues before they happen by embedding tag validation directly into your AWS workflows.

It enables teams to:

• Instantly detect and respond to untagged instances

• Maintain accurate billing and cost allocation through consistent tagging.

• Improve security, auditing, and operational efficiency.y

• Prevented or non-compliant infrastructure deployment.s

• Implement centralised compliance across accounts using AWS Organisations.

It turns compliance from a manual responsibility into an automated system.

Who Needs This Template and When to Use It ?

This template is ideal for:

• DevOps teams managing large-scale AWS environments

• Cloud administrators are responsible for implementing governance policies.

• Finance and cost management teams require accurate tagging for the chargeback model.

• Compliance and security teams enforcing infrastructure standards

The best time to implement this template is when your AWS usage begins to scale across teams or projects, or when multiple EC2 instances are being launched regularly. It ensures that governance scales with your infrastructure.

What are the Main Components of the Template ?

The template is built using the following AWS services:

• Amazon EC2 – Instances whose tags are to be validated

• AWS CloudTrail – Captures the API call when a new instance is launched

• CloudWatch Events – Detects instance launch and triggers validation

• AWS Lambda – Executes logic to check if required tags are present

• Amazon SNS and Amazon SES – Notifies teams of non-compliance

• AWS Config – Monitors and records resource compliance status

• AWS Step Functions – Orchestrates the validation and notification workflow

• Amazon S3 – Stores CloudTrail logs for processing

• IAM Roles – Ensures secure permissions for each service

• Amazon DynamoDB – Stores the list of required tag keys and values

• AWS Organizations – Enables centralized policy enforcement across accounts

• AWS Security Hub – Offers an overview of compliance across the infrastructure

• AWS CloudFormation – Defines and deploys tagging policies as code

How to Get Started with Cloudairy ?

Follow these steps to open and implement the template in Cloudairy:

1. Log in to your Cloudairy account.

2. Navigate to the Templates section.

3. Search for "Check EC2 instance tags" in the search bar.

4. Click on the relevant template for the results.

5. Select "Open" to load the template.

6. Review and customize the validation rules according to your policies.

7. Simulate tag compliance scenarios using CloudTrail logs.

8. Collaborate with team members to finalize the setup.

9. Export the finalized flowchart and deploy the solution in your AWS environment.

Summary 

Tagging is a foundational aspect of effective cloud management. This Cloudairy template helps organizations enforce mandatory tagging policies at the exact moment E2C instances are launched. By automating compliance, sending real-time alerts, and supporting cross-account governance, it removes the risk of untracked resources and improves the overall integrity of your AWS infrastructure. ​​​ It’s a scalable, proactive, and efficient way to maintain control, improve cost transparency, and strengthen security.


This guide explains how to perform an EC2 mandatory tags check at the time of instance launch to maintain compliance and efficient resource management. By implementing an EC2 mandatory tags check, you can ensure all instances include essential metadata for cost allocation, security, and operational tracking. The tutorial walks through using AWS Lambda and EventBridge to automate the EC2 mandatory tags check process, detecting and reporting missing or incorrect tags instantly. Automating the EC2 mandatory tags check helps prevent untagged resources, streamlines audits, and improves governance, ensuring your AWS environment stays well-organized and cost-efficient.