AWS CloudHSM hardware security module (HSM) pattern-based discovery

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated June 16, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of AWS CloudHSM hardware security module (HSM) pattern-based discovery

    The AWS CloudHSM hardware security module (HSM) pattern-based discovery in ServiceNow uses Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns to identify AWS CloudHSM resources within your cloud environment. This enables automated detection and population of AWS CloudHSM data into both CMDB and non-CMDB tables, providing a comprehensive view of your hardware security modules.

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    Key Features

    • Pattern Activation: The AWS CloudHSM discovery pattern is disabled by default and requires manual activation. Starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0, activating or deactivating patterns no longer counts as a customization, ensuring patterns receive updates while retaining their active status after upgrades.
    • Prerequisites and Configuration: Ensure AWS discovery prerequisites are met, including removing relevant resources from the Resource Inclusion List to avoid duplicate discovery and configuring discovery schedules appropriately, especially for AWS GovCloud (US) accounts which require specific datacenter URLs.
    • Data Storage: The discovery populates detailed AWS CloudHSM information into:
      • Non-CMDB tables (e.g., cmdbawscloudhsmhsm) containing fields like HSM name, availability zone, status, cluster ID, HSM type, and ARN.
      • CMDB tables (e.g., cmdbcicmpresource) with resource type, install status, operational status, and ARN details.
    • CI Relationships: The pattern establishes relationships between AWS CloudHSM CIs and their hosting AWS datacenters, facilitating accurate mapping and dependency tracking.

    Practical Benefits

    • Automates discovery and inventory of AWS CloudHSM resources, reducing manual tracking efforts.
    • Improves accuracy of CMDB data with detailed and structured information on HSM instances.
    • Supports compliance and security operations by maintaining up-to-date hardware security module information.
    • Enhances service mapping and impact analysis by establishing clear relationships between CloudHSM resources and AWS datacenters.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns finds AWS services on your cloud environment. Discovering some of these resources may require updating to the latest version of the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application from the ServiceNow Store.

    Pattern-based discovery and mapping requirements

    Verify the AWS discovery prerequisites
    For more information, see the prerequisites section in Amazon AWS Cloud components discovery using patterns.
    Remove resources from the Resource Inclusion List table
    Verify that the relevant resource isn't listed in the Resource Inclusion List [sa_cloud_inventory_resource_whitelist] table to avoid duplicate discovery. For more information on removing resources from the Resource Inclusion List, see Amazon Web Services (AWS) Resource Inventory.
    Enable the relevant pattern
    The pattern for this service is disabled by default. Starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0, activating or deactivating a pattern won't be considered a customization, and it will continue to receive updates. Patterns that were previously activated or deactivated will reset to the latest predefined version after upgrading while retaining the last active field value. For more information on enabling patterns, see Activate a disabled pattern.
    Configure the Discovery schedule to support GovCloud
    Discovering AWS GovCloud (US) accounts requires using a datacenter URL when setting up an AWS service account. For more information, see Create AWS service accounts.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in both CMDB and non-CMDB tables.

    Data stored in non-CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the non-CMDB table when running the Amazon AWS - CloudHSM HSM - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    You can review the non-CMDB AWS tables by navigating to All > Configuration > AWS. You can also search the navigation filter for the specific pattern name.

    Table 1. AWS CloudHSM HSM [cmdb_aws_cloudhsm_hsm]
    Field Description
    Name [name] The unique identifier of the HSM within the cluster.
    Availability Zone [availability_zone] The AWS availability zone where the HSM is deployed.
    Status [status] The current operational status of the HSM.
    Cluster Id [cluster_id] The unique identifier of the HSM cluster.
    Configuration Item [configuration_item] References the Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] table.
    Hsm Type [hsm_type] The type or model specification of the HSM device.
    Object Id [object_id] The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) uniquely identifying the AWS CloudHSM HSM.

    The ARN consists of the discovered region, account ID, and HSM ID in the following format: arn:aws:cloudhsm:<region>:<account_id>:hsm/<hsm_id>.

    Data stored in CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the CMDB when running the Amazon AWS - CloudHSM HSM - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    Table 2. Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Field Description
    Name [name] The unique identifier of the HSM within the cluster.
    Resource type [resource_type] Type of resource. The value is set to AWS::CloudHSM::HSM.
    Install Status [install_status] Install status of the resource. Default value is Installed.
    Object ID [object_id] The ARN uniquely identifying the AWS CloudHSM HSM.

    The ARN consists of the discovered region, account ID, and HSM ID in the following format: arn:aws:cloudhsm:<region>:<account_id>:hsm/<hsm_id>.
    Operational status [operational_status] Operational status of the resource. Default value is Operational.

    CI relationships

    The Amazon AWS - CloudHSM HSM - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern creates these relationships to support AWS CloudHSM HSM discovery.

    CI Relationship CI
    Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] Hosted on::Hosts AWS Datacenter [cmdb_ci_aws_datacenter]
    AWS CloudHSM HSM [cmdb_aws_cloudhsm_hsm] References Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]