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In this lesson, you’ll learn how to navigate the AWS CloudWatch console and create an Amazon SNS topic for email notifications. This SNS topic will be used in upcoming demos to send alert emails whenever your CloudWatch alarms trigger.
If you’re on the AWS Free Tier, many CloudWatch metrics are free up to specified limits. Standard charges apply once you exceed those quotas.
Be sure to choose a region close to you—here we’re using eu-central-1 (Frankfurt) for optimal latency.
First, sign in to the AWS Management Console.
The image shows the AWS Management Console home page, displaying sections for recently visited services, AWS health, cost and usage, and options to build solutions.

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1. Navigating to CloudWatch

  1. In the console’s search bar, type CloudWatch.
  2. Select CloudWatch from the drop-down to open the CloudWatch Overview.
On the Overview page, you’ll find these main sections:
SectionDescription
AlarmsSet thresholds and trigger actions
LogsStore, search, and analyze log streams
MetricsVisualize performance data over time
X-RayTrace and debug requests across distributed services
EventsRespond to state changes in AWS resources
Application MonitoringMonitor application health and dependencies
InsightsQuery and visualize log data with CloudWatch Logs Insights
Use the Favorites tab to bookmark dashboards or alarms you check frequently.
The image shows the AWS CloudWatch dashboard interface, displaying options for setting alarms, creating dashboards, viewing logs, and configuring application insights.

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2. Creating an SNS Topic

Amazon SNS (Simple Notification Service) lets you push notifications via email, SMS, HTTP endpoints, and more. To configure email alerts:
  1. In the console search bar, type SNS and select Simple Notification Service.
  2. In the left menu, click Topics, then Create topic.
  3. Choose Standard as the topic type.
  4. For Name, enter CloudWatchCourse.
    (You can optionally set a Display name for SMS protocols.)
  5. Leave other settings at their defaults and click Create topic.
The image shows a web interface for creating a topic in Amazon SNS, with options for naming the topic and configuring settings like encryption and access policy.

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3. Subscribing an Email Endpoint

Next, attach your email address to the SNS topic so you can receive notifications:
  1. Select your newly created CloudWatchCourse topic.
  2. Click Create subscription.
  3. For Protocol, choose Email.
  4. In Endpoint, enter your email address.
  5. Click Create subscription.
This action sends a confirmation email to the address you specified.
The image shows a web interface for creating a subscription in Amazon SNS, with fields for Topic ARN, Protocol, and Endpoint. The user is setting up an email subscription.
ProtocolUse CaseExample
EmailReceive notifications via email[email protected]
SMSSMS/text message alerts+15551234567
HTTPWebhook deliveryhttps://my-endpoint.com/notify

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4. Confirming the Subscription

Check your inbox for an email from AWS Notifications. It contains a Confirm subscription link. Click this link to activate your subscription.
If you do not confirm the subscription, SNS will not deliver any alerts to your email address.
The image shows a Gmail inbox with an email from AWS Notifications about a subscription confirmation. The email includes a link to confirm the subscription to a specific AWS topic.

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5. Verifying the Subscription

Back in the SNS console, open your CloudWatchCourse topic. Under Subscriptions, you should see your email address listed with Confirmed status next to the Topic ARN. You’ll reference this ARN when creating CloudWatch alarms.
The image shows an Amazon SNS (Simple Notification Service) console page for a topic named "cloudwatchcourse," displaying details such as the ARN, type, and a confirmed email subscription.

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6. Switching Time Zones in CloudWatch

By default, CloudWatch displays all metrics and logs in UTC. To switch to your local time zone:
  1. In the CloudWatch console, click the clock icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Local.
Many teams prefer UTC for consistency across global deployments, but local time can simplify troubleshooting.

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Next Steps

  • Use this SNS topic ARN when you create CloudWatch alarms in our next lesson.
  • Explore CloudWatch Alarms to set up threshold-based notifications.
  • Dive into SNS Documentation for advanced delivery options.

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