4 Ways to keep your data protected in Azure

To make sure that your data is as secure as possible, it’s important to understand how to properly configure your resources. In this article, you’ll learn what security aspects you are responsible for in your cloud configuration. You’ll also learn some practices for ensuring that your system is secure.

Security Responsibility in Azure

Azure uses a shared responsibility model that varies according to the type of cloud services you are using. Your options include Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

To secure the aspects that are your responsibility, Azure includes many built-in features and services. Some of these services are included with your account subscription while others cost extra. Each cloud configuration requires unique policies and tools for proper security. However, there are certain practices in common with all effective security plans.

1. Have a Recovery Plan

While having a recovery plan cannot protect you from a data breach, it can ensure that you retain access to your data. Having backups can enable you to restore systems quickly and easily after an attack or disaster.

Azure provides a built-in service for backing up your data, called Azure Backup. With Backup, you can create automated backup policies and manage your copies from a centralized location. When considering this service, keep in mind that Azure backup does involve additional costs.

2. Encrypt Your Data

Make sure that your data is encrypted both in-transit and at-rest for maximum protection. At-rest encryption can help you ensure that data is only readable by those with the correct authorization. In-transit encryption can ensure that data isn’t intercepted or modified when accessed remotely.

At-rest, server-side encryption functionality is included with all Azure services. Keys for server-side encryption can either be managed by your services, managed by you with Azure Key Vault, or fully by you. Azure Key Vault is a paid service that can be used with most Azure services for centralized key management. In-transit encryption is accomplished using SSL/TLS protocols.

3. Limit Data Access

Restrict access to your data using the principle of least privilege. This principle states that minimum permissions should be given to users, endpoints, or services. Use role-based permissions whenever possible. Dispersal can reduce the amount of damage that can be done with compromised credentials.

Once your data is classified, you should try to isolate critical data as much as possible. Using layered authentication can help restrict access. Layered authentication requires users to pass through several permissions gates before accessing data.

There are two natives, paid services that can aid you in classification and rights restriction. You can use the Azure Information Protection service to classify files. The service then identifies data priority in file headers, footers, and metadata. You can use Information Protection in combination with Azure Rights Management.

4. Automate Your Monitoring

Public clouds are constantly connected to the Internet, leaving them vulnerable to a host of attacks. To fully secure a cloud system, you need 24/7 monitoring and real-time analysis of log information. Automation is a cost-effective way to meet these needs.

SIEM solutions often include machine learning algorithms that can identify threats quickly and effectively. These solutions enable you to define actions to be taken when a threat is identified, such as revoking user access. Once a SIEM has identified and responded to a threat, your security team can more fully assess and respond to the incident.

Conclusion

Securing your cloud properly requires research and dedication. You cannot simply move data to the cloud and expect it to be kept safe. Understanding your management and monitoring responsibilities, and learning basic best practices, are among the first steps to securing your cloud-based resources.