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AWS CDK Nag review

Free#13 of 17 in IaC Security Scanners

Free, AWS-focused rule-pack scanning for CDK and CloudFormation compliance.

7.3/10Editor score
Visit AWS CDK Nag
AWS CDK Nag7.3 Visit AWS CDK Nag

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

AWS CDK Nag is an open-source library for developers building and validating AWS infrastructure with AWS CDK. It checks CDK applications and CloudFormation templates for best-practice violations, making it suited to teams that want policy checks close to infrastructure code. The product supports Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted deployment, with stated fit across solo, small, mid-market and enterprise teams.

The free open-source model keeps access straightforward: AWS CDK Nag provides rule-based checks without a paid tier structure. Its documented packs cover AWS Solutions, HIPAA Security, NIST 800-53 revisions 4 and 5, PCI DSS 3.2.1, and Serverless requirements. Teams can run multiple packs against one application, acknowledge specific violations or rules, and develop custom NagPacks for organization-specific policies. Findings are written to a policy-validation report in the cloud assembly, providing a defined output for review and pipeline handling.

AWS CDK Nag is tightly aligned with AWS CDK and CloudFormation rather than a broad, multi-cloud IaC estate. It has no stated CI integration and does not provide drift detection, so teams seeking continuous environment comparison or ready-made pipeline connectors may need another tool alongside it. Support centers on community resources and documentation. Choose it when AWS-native infrastructure compliance checks, customizable rule packs and self-hosted operation are priorities; choose an alternative when you need broader framework coverage, drift monitoring or a more extensive support and integration layer.

AWS CDK Nag pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Checks AWS CDK apps and CloudFormation templates for violations
    • Includes AWS Solutions, HIPAA, NIST, PCI DSS and Serverless packs
    • Supports custom packs, multiple packs and acknowledged findings
  • Where it doesn't
    • Focused on AWS CDK and CloudFormation rather than broader IaC
    • Does not provide drift detection
    • Support is limited to community channels and documentation

AWS CDK Nag fact sheet, pricing and score →

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