Story 7 — AWS Config Cost Optimization

Use for: cost optimization, FinOps, proactive improvement, compliance, AWS.

Search keywords: AWS Config cost optimization compliance rules resource types FinOps

30-second answer

At ZOI, we were using AWS Config for compliance monitoring. I noticed that we were evaluating resources that did not actually need to be covered by the required compliance checks. I reviewed the relevant resource types and rules, then excluded unnecessary coverage. This reduced unnecessary AWS Config cost while keeping the compliance coverage that actually mattered.

STAR answer

Situation

At ZOI, we were using AWS Config for compliance monitoring. During a review, I noticed that we were evaluating resources that did not actually need to be covered by the compliance checks.

Task

I wanted to reduce unnecessary AWS Config cost without reducing the compliance coverage that was actually required.

Action

I reviewed which resource types and rules were genuinely relevant to the customer's compliance requirements.

I then excluded resources that did not need to be monitored and removed rules that were not providing meaningful compliance value.

Result

We reduced unnecessary AWS Config costs while keeping the compliance coverage that actually mattered.

Lesson

Cloud cost optimization should be connected to technical requirements. I first look at what the customer actually needs, then remove unnecessary usage rather than reducing usage blindly.