Keeping your data safe in the cloud with Azure’s security and compliance features.
With the growing complexity of cyber threats, keeping your business data secure is no small feat. Around 2,200 cyber attacks happen daily, with an attack occurring roughly every 39 seconds on average. To safeguard data from constant cyber attacks, businesses need a data platform with an arsenal of security features.
Microsoft Azure has quickly become a trusted platform among today’s organizations. The platform built a rock-solid foundation for its security infrastructure, ensuring it proactively protects data from cybercriminals.
How secure is Microsoft Azure? What tools and capabilities does the platform include to protect business data? Below, we’ll explore some of the key capabilities that make Azure one of the most secure platforms on the market. We’ll also discuss additional best practices you can follow to further protect your data.
A Look into Azure’s Security Features
Identity and Access Management
Azure’s identity and access management (IAM) system is a linchpin in its security infrastructure. Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) empowers administrators to efficiently manage user identities and access privileges. Azure reduces unauthorized access risk with MFA, conditional access policies, and SSO. Additionally, Entra ID B2C and B2B capabilities allow organizations to securely extend access to their applications and services to external users without compromising on security.
To compare Azure with a top cloud competitor, AWS, read here.
Data Encryption
One of the critical safeguards Azure offers is data encryption—both in transit and at rest. Azure uses secure protocols like HTTPS/TLS to encrypt data during communication, ensuring that it protects and prevents outside access to data. Moreover, Azure encrypts the data stored within using a variety of encryption technologies. Azure Storage Service Encryption, Transparent Data Encryption for databases, and Azure Disk Encryption for virtual machines work to keep your data safe—even if an unfortunate breach or unauthorized access attempt occurs.
Threat Detection and Response
Azure Security Center is a pivotal part of Azure’s security arsenal. The tool employs advanced analytics and machine learning capabilities to proactively identify potential threats and vulnerabilities. Users receive actionable security recommendations and timely alerts, making it easier to address security issues before they escalate. Azure Security Center works together with Azure Sentinel to detect and respond to threats, keeping your data safe and secure.
Network Security
Azure extends a variety of network security features to shield your data from malicious actors. Azure Firewall provides protection against network-based attacks and allows you to craft custom rules and policies, giving you full control over your network security. Virtual Networks (VNets) enable network segmentation, which is vital for isolating resources and controlling the flow of traffic within your environment. Additionally, Azure DDoS Protection ensures the safety of your data by absorbing and filtering malicious requests, safeguarding your operations from DDoS attacks.
Compliance and Regulations
Microsoft Azure further solidifies its commitment to security by adhering to various compliance standards. This ensures your data remains secure while your organization complies with industry and regulatory requirements. For example, Azure offers compliance certifications such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. This makes Azure an ideal choice for organizations operating in highly regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, and others.
5 Azure Security Best Practices
While Azure provides an incredibly strong security foundation, users can take additional steps to further enhance data protection. These include:
Implement strong access controls: Leverage Entra ID to set up strong access controls with policies such as MFA and conditional access. This ensures that only authorized personnel can access your valuable resources.
Regularly review and update security configurations: In the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats, it’s crucial to continually assess and update your security configurations. Azure Security Center plays a pivotal role in this by providing up-to-date security recommendations.
Encrypt sensitive data: Take full advantage of Azure’s encryption features to protect your data both in transit and while it’s at rest. This adds an extra layer of security to your data protection strategy.
Network segmentation: Implement network segmentation using VNets to isolate and control the flow of traffic between your resources. This approach minimizes the risk of lateral movement by potential attackers. Network segmentation is also part of a zero-trust security posture.
Monitoring and incident response: Prepare a robust incident response plan, and leverage Azure Sentinel to centralize your threat detection and response efforts. This proactive approach will enable you to mitigate security incidents swiftly and effectively.
Safeguard Your Azure Environment with JourneyTEAM
Said Alex Ryan, Azure Practice Director at JourneyTEAM, “As someone deeply entrenched in the Azure ecosystem, I've witnessed firsthand how Microsoft has continually fortified their cloud platform's security. From multi-layered encryption to comprehensive identity and access management, Azure has truly embraced industry best practices.”
Azure is secure and compliant, with many security features, making it a strong foundation for your digital assets. Discover how to get the most out of Azure’s security tools by speaking with an Azure specialist. Our experts will make a personalized platform that meets your business needs and protects your data from security threats.