A Beginner’s Guide to Strengthening Microsoft Azure Security

Microsoft Azure is quickly becoming the platform of choice for businesses of all sizes. The Microsoft cloud offers a wide range of services and features that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any organization.

However, with this expansive offering also comes a greater level of complexity and, as such, a heightened need for security. 

Fortunately, with the help of a cloud security platform, businesses can quickly and effectively strengthen their Microsoft Azure security

A cloud security platform provides organizations with the visibility, control, and protection they need to move to the cloud securely. The platform strengthens your Azure infrastructure by multiple means. Here are a few of them.

Detecting Malware Faster

Due to its ability to see endpoint, network, and cloud traffic all at once, the Azure security system can help detect malware. 

It allows you to prevent attacks by detecting malicious activity in real-time. Plus, cloud-based malware analysis ensures you have the most up-to-date malware signatures the second they are created.

Detecting Shadow IT Faster

Organizations of all sizes are susceptible to Shadow IT – the use of unauthorized and unsanctioned cloud applications and services.

A cloud security platform can help you quickly identify and control Shadow IT by providing visibility into all cloud-based activity, both sanctioned and unsanctioned.

The platform can detect shadow IT by seeing what applications, users, and devices access data across your network. It allows you to visualize everything happening inside your infrastructure without relying on end-users to report suspected breaches.

Mitigating Risks Faster

A cloud security platform provides out-of-the-box policies that protect your environment against the most common threats.

In addition, a cloud security platform gives you the ability to create custom policies or adapt existing ones based on your specific requirements. The automated enforcement capabilities give you complete control over who and what accesses your data and strengthen your Microsoft Azure security.

By identifying and assessing risks, a cloud security platform helps you mitigate them before they become actual threats. This proactive approach is essential for safeguarding your data in the cloud.

Enhancing Your Azure Security Posture

Based on a 2020 report by the US Healthcare Cyber Security Market 2020, more than 90 percent of all healthcare organizations reported at least one security breach in the last three years.

A cloud security platform provides you with the tools you need to ensure that your Azure environment is continuously operating at peak security. 

These tools supplement and strengthen your existing security layers by providing you with a more comprehensive view of your data as it traverses between on-premises and the cloud, as well as across apps, users, devices, and locations.

Simplifying Compliance

The cloud can be a daunting place for organizations looking to become compliant with regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.

A cloud security platform provides the out-of-the-box compliance capabilities needed to address these complex regulatory requirements. Plus, it offers the flexibility to adapt to changes in your environment so that you can always maintain compliance.

Enabling the Cloud-First Vision

Moving forward, businesses can no longer operate in isolation. They must leverage cloud services to meet customers’ needs and remain competitive.

By strengthening your Azure security with a cloud security platform, you are not only better positioned to deal with today’s threats, but you are also prepared to handle tomorrow’s challenges.

Addressing the New Cloud Reality

The cloud is constantly changing, and it can be challenging to keep up with these changes – especially since not all of them are positive.

A cloud security platform gives you the tools you need to see beyond what’s new and grasp how those changes impact your environment. You are better positioned to respond when necessary and ensure that your cloud environment is always running securely by gaining this insight.

Integration of Azure AD with On-Premise Active Directory

Azure AD Connect is a free hybrid identity management service that can connect your Azure AD directory to an on-premises Active Directory instance. 

Integration with on-premises Active Directory enables you to manage users and groups in the cloud and on-premises. It also allows you to synchronize group memberships, passwords, security settings, and more to the cloud.

Azure AD Connect provides a single user interface for provisioning and managing Azure AD from an on-premises Active Directory. Moreover, as it is a cloud-based solution, you can access it remotely without being at your organization’s physical location.

Also, because it enables role-based access delegation – administrators have access to only those pages they need. It reduces the risk of configuration errors.

A cloud security platform is a critical piece of your overall Microsoft Azure security strategy. 

Using a cloud security platform lets you detect malware and shadow IT faster, mitigate risks faster, and enhance your Azure security posture. In addition, a cloud security platform helps simplify compliance for organizations operating in the cloud.