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DynamoDB tables should automatically scale capacity with demand

Severity: Medium

Resource Types: AWS::DynamoDB::Table

Description

This control checks whether an Amazon DynamoDB table can scale its read and write capacity as needed. This control passes if the table uses either on-demand capacity mode or provisioned mode with auto scaling configured. Scaling capacity with demand avoids throttling exceptions, which helps to maintain availability of your applications.

DynamoDB tables in on-demand capacity mode are only limited by the DynamoDB throughput default table quotas. To raise these quotas, you can file a support ticket through AWS Support.

DynamoDB tables in provisioned mode with auto scaling adjust the provisioned throughput capacity dynamically in response to traffic patterns.

Remediation

For detailed instructions on enabling DynamoDB automatic scaling on existing tables in capacity mode, see Enabling DynamoDB auto scaling on existing tables.