Enable Enhanced Metrics for Lambda Functions

Opportunity Name: Lambda Enhanced Metrics Enablement

AWS Resource Type: AWS Lambda

Opportunity Description:
This Finder identifies Lambda functions that are not publishing enhanced metrics to CloudWatch, thereby limiting observability into key performance and error indicators. Enhanced monitoring unlocks fine-grained visibility, helping teams troubleshoot issues faster, monitor cold starts, and optimize function performance.

While not a direct cost-saving opportunity, this Finder is part of a broader best practices initiative for performance and business continuity (BCP) preparedness. It ensures critical Lambda workloads are adequately instrumented for proactive monitoring.

Criteria for identifying the opportunity:

• Lambda function does not have CloudWatch Enhanced Monitoring enabled.
• Function exhibits production-level characteristics (e.g., high invocation rates, business-critical operations).
• Metrics currently available are limited to basic invocation, duration, error, and throttle metrics.

Potential Savings (if known):
This Finder is not a cost optimization opportunity, but rather a performance observability and operations enhancement. However, enabling enhanced metrics can indirectly reduce costs by accelerating issue resolution and reducing unplanned downtime.

What happens when the Fixer is executed?
This Finder does not have an automatic Fixer. Customers must manually enable enhanced metrics by:

1. Adding additional metrics to the Lambda function’s configuration or instrumentation (e.g., using AWS Distro for OpenTelemetry or embedded monitoring libraries).
2. Integrating with CloudWatch Contributor Insights or X-Ray for deeper diagnostics.

CloudFix provides guidance and best practices for enabling enhanced observability features for each Lambda function identified.

Is it possible to roll back once CloudFix implements the fixer?
Yes. You can remove or disable enhanced metrics by modifying the Lambda configuration or instrumentation setup.

Can CloudFix implement the fix automatically once I accept the recommendation?
No. Enhanced metrics configuration must be implemented manually, or via deployment pipelines and infrastructure-as-code.

Does this fix require downtime?
No. Enhanced monitoring can be applied dynamically without interrupting function execution. However, code changes (if instrumentation is needed) should follow a safe deployment workflow.

Additional Resources:

• Monitoring Lambda Functions with CloudWatch
• Using AWS Distro for OpenTelemetry
• Lambda Function Insights and Enhanced Metrics

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