Search for an Uploaded File in AWS CloudWatch

Overview

AWS CloudWatch provides logging capabilities to monitor and analyze SFTP file transfer events. Using CloudWatch Logs, you can search for a specific file that was uploaded to an AWS SFTP server. This guide explains how to use AWS CloudWatch to search for a specific uploaded file.

Steps to Search for an Uploaded File in AWS CloudWatch

1. Access CloudWatch Logs:

• Navigate to the AWS Management Console.
• Open the CloudWatch service. In the left menu, click on Logs > Log groups.

2. Locate the Correct Log Group:

• Find the log group associated with AWS Transfer Family (SFTP service).
• Click on the relevant log stream.

3. Search for the File Name:

• Use the search bar at the top of the log stream view.
• Enter the following query:

fields @message
| filter @message like "your_filename_here"

Replace your_filename_here with the exact name of the file you are searching for.

4. Refine Your Search (Optional):

• Use additional filters to narrow results, such as:

filter @timestamp > "2025-01-01T00:00:00Z"

Adjust the date range using the Time Range selector.

5. View and Analyze Results:

The logs will show events related to the specified file, including timestamps, transfer details, and user activity.

Additional Considerations

• User Activity: If you need to track which user uploaded the file, include user metadata in your query.
• Exporting Logs: You can export search results for further analysis using AWS S3, AWS Lambda, or Amazon OpenSearch Service.
• Alerts & Notifications: Set up CloudWatch Alarms to notify you when a file matching specific criteria is uploaded.