Cloud security unlocks a new level of efficiency and security that was beyond reach in the traditional on-premise setup. However, this new level of agility opens up new vulnerabilities that could outpace most businesses' security.
Microsoft Azure security closes this gap by offering a unified set of controls that provide visibility and control over the security of Azure resources. This article explores Azure Security features, functionality and best practices to help secure your environment.
What is Azure Security?
Azure Security is a set of cloud-based services and tools integrated into Microsoft Azure resources, such as Cloud Services, Virtual Computers, Virtual Networks, and Azure Storage.
Azure Security follows a multi-layered approach tied to several advanced features, including identity and access management, threat detection and prevention, data encryption, network security, and compliance monitoring.
These features help you manage risk and stay compliant with regulations while harnessing the power of the cloud. Azure Security protects the cloud infrastructure at every level, from data centers to applications running on the platform.
How Azure Security Works
Azure Security is a shared responsibility model. Depending on the service, security responsibilities are split between Microsoft and you.
For Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of data centers while you manage the operating systems and network controls within their cloud services.
In the case of Software as a Service (SaaS), Microsoft handles the physical security, operating systems, network controls, and applications, while you are responsible for managing identity and directory infrastructure.
Regardless of the model, you are responsible for key areas such as:
- Who can access specific data
- Managing user accounts and their access
- Securing devices that connect to the environment
The shared approach between you and Microsoft combines the capabilities of Microsoft’s expertise in cloud infrastructure and your knowledge about your systems and data. Azure defines these shared responsibilities to create a solid security ecosystem where every party focuses on its stronghold.
The Six Functional Areas of Azure Security
Azure Security has six primary functional areas.
1. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
IAM manages user identities and access permissions from a centralized platform. Its key features include:
- Azure Active Directory (AAD): Enables organizations to manage user accounts, group memberships, and access rights across all Azure services.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): RBAC allows administrators to assign specific permissions to users based on their roles within the organization.
- Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): MFA requires users to provide multiple verification forms before granting access.
2. Data Security
Azure ensures data protection with strong encryption and secure key management. Data is encrypted when stored (at rest) and during transmission (in transit). Data security provides a baseline level of protection for every customer and applies at all levels.
A key component of this approach is Azure Key Vault. The feature allows organizations to securely manage and store cryptographic keys (tokens, passwords, certificates, and API keys) used in encryption.
3. Application Security
Azure emphasizes secure application development and hosting. Azure App Service offers a protected environment for hosting web applications, safeguarding the underlying infrastructure against common threats. It includes automatic patching, authentication, and seamless integration with other Azure security services.
Azure provides static and dynamic code analysis tools and penetration testing services to promote secure development practices. These tools help developers identify and fix vulnerabilities at every application lifecycle stage.
4. Network Security
Azure offers advanced network security features to manage traffic flow and prevent unauthorized access. Examples include Network Security Groups (NSGs), which allow the administrator to establish rules for traffic flow inbound and outbound, thereby providing stateful firewall functionality for Azure resources. Rules can be configured based on source and destination IP address, port, and protocol.
Azure Firewall provides high availability and unlimited cloud scalability for more comprehensive protection. This secures Azure Virtual Network resources by applying the right policies across subscriptions and virtual networks.
5. Threat Protection
Azure has threat detection and response against cyber threats. With Microsoft Defender for Cloud, you get security alerts and advanced threat protection across services like Azure App Service, SQL and Storage Account.
Azure Sentinel is a cloud-native Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Orchestration Automated Response (SOAR) solution. It provides a unified platform for alert detection, threat visibility, proactive hunting, and response.
DDoS Protection also forms part of the important set in Azure's threat protection. It minimizes large-scale distributed denial-of-service attacks to ensure Azure resources remain available under brute-force attacks.
6. Security Monitoring
Security monitoring is a round-the-clock monitoring of the cloud environment. It provides a unified method for comprehensively collecting, analyzing, and acting on telemetry from the cloud and on-premises environments.
Complementing Azure Monitor, Azure Security Center is now offered as Microsoft Defender for Cloud to unify infrastructure security management. The solution enhances data center security with advanced threat protection tools across hybrid workloads.
Getting Started with Azure Security
This is a step-by-step guide to secure your business using Azure Security Services.
Step 1 - Create an Azure Account
First, you need to create an account in Azure. Microsoft has a free tier where you can start by trying out features and getting familiar with the platform.
Step 2 - Access Azure Security Services
Once your account is set up, go to the Azure portal to access Azure Security services. You can configure and manage services like Azure Security Center, Azure Sentinel and Azure Active Directory.
Step 3 - Check Out Azure Pricing
Azure is a pay-as-you-go model where you pay only for what you use. Each service has its pricing, so you should commit only to the ones you plan to deploy. It comes with built-in cost management tools to track your spending.
Step 4 - Protect Your Organization Against Threats
Azure Security offers tools and services that can help you protect data, detect threats, respond to incidents, comply with regulations and manage identity and access. Integrated security monitoring and policy management are just a handful of what you can achieve. To get the most out of Azure Security, Microsoft’s Azure documentation can be a helpful starter guide.
Azure Security Best Practices
Azure Security’s shared responsibility model presents multiple configuration options for your business. Here is a straightforward approach to get the most out of Azure Security Center.
1. Zero Trust Architecture
No user or device should be trusted inside or outside the network perimeter. Every request should be verified regardless of source. The principle of least privilege means users should only have the minimum permissions required for their tasks.
2. Network Segmentation
Network segmentation means dividing the network into smaller, manageable segments. Alongside this segmentation is Network Security Groups (NSGs), a group of security rules that lets you define and control inbound and outbound traffic to Azure resources. This limits the blast radius in case of a security incident.
3. Encryption
Encryption should be used to protect data at rest and in transit. Azure has Azure Storage Service Encryption for data at rest and Azure Disk Encryption for virtual machine disks. Enabling HTTPS and TLS for data in transit adds extra data security.
4. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
RBAC controls permissions by enforcing the principle of least privilege. As a critical cloud functionality, RBAC helps you manage who has access to resources and what they do with those resources.
5. Continuous Monitoring and Logging
Azure Security needs continuous monitoring and logging to maintain visibility and security posture. Advanced threat detection and response can be enabled in Azure Sentinel and Azure Security Center, and it’s possible to collect security logs across the environment and analyze them using Azure Monitor.
6. Regular Updates and Patch Management
Azure Security is built on regular updates and patch management. This allows a schedule to be set to monitor and apply security patches, using Azure Update Management to keep systems up to date with the latest patches.
Expert Guidance to Get The Most Out of Azure Security
Cloud security is an ongoing process that needs continuous adaptation to new threats. Azure Security can be intricate, and getting the most out of it is only possible by collaborating with cybersecurity experts.
At CrucialLogics, we secure your business using native Microsoft technologies you already own. Our process involves deploying Azure Security solutions in a multi-layered approach that secures your business holistically.
If you want to learn how Azure Security can fit into your cybersecurity stack, speak with us today.
