To sign up for our daily email newsletter, CLICK HERE
Many organizations today use Microsoft Azure to deploy their data and applications with more robust protection. It also helps in establishing more effective access management and powerful identity.
Complex networking environments are susceptible to vulnerabilities. It is crucial to keep your company’s data safe with the best security practices. Microsoft assures that you can rely on Azure cloud security for efficient security protocols. It employs more than 3,500 security experts to ensure your data privacy and security.
However, cloud providers are not invincible to risks. Do you use Microsoft Azure for your organizational data? It is necessary to avoid the following common Azure configuration mistakes to ensure optimum data security:
System Oversight
Most data security issues occur because of system oversight. Many companies tend to overlook their data security insights once they engage with Microsoft Azure. There is no doubt that Azure performs efficient feats. However, you still have to pay considerable attention to retain the data protection abilities.
It is essential to monitor the activity logs regularly. Check the Azure databanks to know who accesses your resources. This information can be beneficial to identify any inappropriate activity or use.
With the help of the Azure OMS (Operations Management System), you can monitor all updates, creation, and elimination behaviors across your network. It is also necessary to monitor the resting data. Such data is vulnerable to intrusions. Make sure that Azure encrypts the data in your storage bank by default.
Failing to Optimize Operation Tools
Many organizations fail to optimize Azure’s operational tools during its configuration. They tend to miss optimizing the resource tags. When you tag Azure resources, it can identify them quickly among your database. It is critical to manage your tags. Otherwise, they are susceptible to security attacks.
Resource tags give you access to essential corporate resources. It is also crucial to optimize inventory utilization. Similar to resting data, many of your resources are not in high demand at all times. However, their maintenance can be expensive.
Azure allows you to scale such resources down whenever their demand is minimum. By enabling the tracking of the corporate resources of your company, you can scale up or down depending on the demand and your requirements.
Mismanaged or Weak Passwords
Even though there are adequate warnings against setting weak passwords, many tend to make this mistake. Strong passwords provide better data security. It is also essential to update your passwords frequently. Otherwise, you may face several vulnerabilities.
While configuring Azure, Microsoft recommends the below factors to create strong passwords:
- Maintain at least the character length of 8 characters
- Eliminate periodic password resets
- Avoid common passwords as they are the most vulnerable
- Educate users not to repeat the passwords in regular intervals
- Enforce authentication through multiple factors
- Enable authentication challenges for any potential risks
Not Managing Logging
Many make the mistake of failing to switch on the logging features at Azure during the configuration process. Ensure to first turn on the logging option. It permits you to access visibility. However, this is not the only step you have to take to ensure being logged into the platform.
Make sure to monitor the Activity Log of Azure regularly. It gives you insights into who accesses and manages the Azure subscription. You may also track the creation, updates, and elimination activities.
If you fail to do this regularly, you may risk security attacks and other vulnerabilities. Your data may become exposed to various sources that may take advantage. For quicker analysis of higher volumes of data, you can install some built-in artificial intelligence such as Azure’s Sentinel. It is a cloud security information manager. You can also hire a managed Microsoft Sentinel service that can handle everything for you.
Security Controls Misconfiguration
Most companies haste their configuration processes for security tools. However, it can be a costly mistake. Your organization can be a target for higher risks. Make sure to enable the security center of Azure while configuring it.
Additionally, it activates its native security features and tools. They can be valuable and efficient in extending protection to your data. Breaches can significantly reduce.
An NSG (Network Security Group) is crucial for all network security features of Microsoft Azure. Make sure to permanently apply them to safeguard the deployment of your applications and other software.
Typically, these security groups possess subnets and virtual networks. Ensure that the subnets are inaccessible by any public IP address. If you miss this step, it can open your data to unsafe ports. Control any unauthorized access that seeks to penetrate your network traffic.
Azure cloud security can extend strong protection that ensures your data security. However, you need to see that there are no gaps within the system. Make sure to avoid the above common Azure configuration mistakes to receive maximum protection.
