Azure Security Best Practices

What do you think are the Azure security best practices while migrating your data to Azure cloud services? Well, most of the time, you will never know where to begin. Azure cloud security best practices can be similar to any other cloud security practices but simultaneously can differ. As an organization you might confront challenges while securing Azure cloud services, and it’s often overlooked by companies or businesses new to Azure. 

Earlier, there was an assumption that Microsoft hosts and secures the resources. While the fact is Azure security best practices are performed generously that aid with securing the assets by keeping them professional and responsible. 

This article is framed to bring you a great amount of detail on Azure cloud security best practices, and briefly summarize why is it significant to have secured Azure access. You will also learn the best practices involved in Azure security, and how to follow them in a proficient manner. 

Let’s go! 

Azure security best practices are essential as it creates a platform that hosts various critical assets with the best and most durable solutions. For many organizations, Azure cloud services are required to host .NET applications for web applications including DevOps for gaming.  

Azure storage accounts are crucial for hosting SQL databases that contain client data, and Kubernetes supports private cloud infrastructure. 

Security is the major priority when it comes to Azure managed services. When Azure solutions are insecure, there are chances of data breaches and cyber-attacks.  

Azure clients also have responsibility for securing their cloud configuration, and the clients must restrict their sensitive data, so users can manage access. Eventually, they can also manage data flows between cloud applications. 

1. Map Azure assets and create a compliance strategy 
2. Encrypt critical data 
3. Create a backup and disaster recovery plan 
4. Secure sensitive data with robust controls 
5. Manage access with IAM 
6. Control the cloud perimeter with network security 
7. Audit user identities and access policies 

• Prior to layering your Azure environment, it is vital to understand your cloud environment, and before you apply these best practices, grasp those assets that have to be protected. 
• Mapping cloud assets on the Azure cloud platform includes all applications on the data store and classifying the data according to requirements and importance. It is significant to be aware of the client data and users who have access to it. 
• If you want to imply Azure security best practices, we advise you to create a precise compliance policy and strategy for the Azure environments. You can define your organization’s core goals including HIPAA, DCI-PSS, or GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance. 
• Include these data security frameworks as fundamentals to enhance your data security and regulatory requirements. 

• Data security on Azure is the utmost responsibility of clients, so it is important to encrypt your data and safeguard it from cyber-attacks.  
• Encrypt your sensitive data at rest by utilizing Microsoft symmetric key encryption tools. You can segregate data according to importance, and make sure that the operational data is available to your users or employees. 
• Azure Disk Encryption works simultaneously with Microsoft SSE and provides extra data security by decreasing the risk of cyber-attacks.  
• When you choose to encrypt your Azure data, Key storage must be your responsibility. Take the responsibility of securing the encryption keys to prevent unauthorized access. 
• Try not to forget to encrypt sensitive data in transit too. Having a VPN encryption builds a solution providing additional security. 

• A well-defined disaster recovery plan is required to keep your cloud assets safe. Microsoft provides end-to-end DR services through Azure Site Recovery and creates customized data backup plans. 
• Utilizing Azure Site Recovery, you can recover your data with minimal loss or no data loss. You can also choose Azure storage replication which creates duplicate copies of the original files. 

• Do not set your boundaries to just data encryption. It is even better to consider additional tools and secure sensitive data with no compromise on the user experience. 
• Activate auditing tools where users can instruct Azure to audit databases and track database changes. 
•  Azure SQL threat detection is required. Using SQL databases, one can activate SQL threat detection to drive away security threats and secure the surface. 
• Organizations or businesses can utilize Azure Firewall to manage central firewall settings. Cloud-native TLS inspection will protect your data against malware attacks. 
• Enable Azure monitor alerts to procure additional awareness, and users can use several metrics to identify the vulnerability. 

• Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the best way to manage user access. Microsoft also provides Azure Active Directory (AAD) as it compares its logins and authenticates user credentials to a secure and safe database. 
• Another way to secure your Azure database is with AAD and single-sign-on (SSO). Remote users can log in with a single sign-on portal. Users can utilize multi-factor authentication with biometric codes and one-time data.

• Azure security best practices also include tracking the internet-facing cloud endpoints and minimizing the contact between the company resources and wider web. 
• Using security information and event management solutions to track network traffic and identify potential threats. 
• Applying network segmentation which segregates the cloud endpoints from data centers and workstations with internet access. 

• Installing a VPN or security tool to encrypt data and secure user identities. 

• Azure security teams should monitor and audit cloud security control and continue with the data protection process. You must audit the app ownership regularly to ensure only the active users or administrators have access to sensitive data. 
• You can use the Azure security center to enhance auditing procedures and include analysis tools that provide accurate feedback and suggest security posture improvements. 

HexaCorp provides security and compliance with cloud-native security, identity access management, WAF management, SSL management, and compliance management relentlessly. 

They provide data control over sensitive data and guarantee anti-virus protection. They never fail to provide Azure end-to-end encryption.  

You can have your data backup with the best disaster recovery strategy with integrated on-premises data backup solutions. Recover your data with no data loss during the migration process and a disaster. 

They provide secure digital assets with Auto-managed firewall solutions. You can get a feasible Firewall setup and automatically scale your network. Their Azure VPN connection empowers transit routing, network-to-network connections, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), multisite connections, and point-to-site connections. 

Ensure to have encrypted data protection to always safeguard your sensitive files or information. You can choose to secure your Azure assets with well-planned data backup by utilizing all the best practices mentioned above. Research additional tools provided by Microsoft and get to shield your data even more effectively.  

For more information, please contact www.hexacorp.com