Azure Security Features Explained: Protecting Your Data with Microsoft’s Robust Framework

In today’s digital world, securing sensitive information is a top priority for organizations. Microsoft Azure, one of the leading cloud platforms, offers a comprehensive suite of security features designed to safeguard your data from internal and external threats. This is supported by a solid suite of Security SaaS offerings in the Defender stack, Azure Firewall, network security groups, web application firewalls, and so much more! (But wait — there’s more!) In this article, we’ll explore these features step by step, providing insights on how to implement them effectively.

Today we jump into protecting data in Azure using Microsoft’s native security tooling. Let’s dive right in!

Identity and Access Management with Microsoft Entra ID

Let’s start with the basics of MFA for a moment here. Entra ID is the cornerstone of identity and access management on Azure. It provides tools to secure user accounts and control access to resources, ensuring your data remains protected from unauthorized users.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of Entra ID’s essential features, adding an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods. This could involve something they know (a password), something they have (a smartphone), or something they are (biometric data). By enabling MFA in your organization, you significantly reduce the risk of compromised credentials. To configure MFA, navigate to Entra ID in the Azure portal, select the Conditional Access blade, and enable multifactor authentication for selected user groups using the template available for user MFA.

Conditional Access Policies offer dynamic control over access permissions based on real-time signals such as user location, device type, and behavior risk levels. For instance, you can block access from unknown IP addresses or require MFA for access attempts from untrusted devices. These policies help tailor security measures to specific scenarios, ensuring maximum protection without overburdening users. To create a conditional access policy, go to Entra ID in the portal, select Conditional Access, and define the conditions and actions that align with your organization’s needs.

Ensure that you have a policy that requires MFA for ALL users, exempting only your Break Glass emergency accounts, and use a targeted policy for Administrators that is based on Role. Again, there is a template to help get you started quickly.

Passwordless Authentication is another feature gaining traction, offering enhanced security while simplifying user experience. Options like Windows Hello, Microsoft Authenticator, and FIDO2 security keys enable users to authenticate without the need for traditional passwords, which are often targeted in attacks. As of mid-2025, the current standard is to have Administrator accounts using FIDO2 security keys for their MFA, including your Break Glass accounts. It can be a bit tricky to set the design for these more advanced topics up, so make sure a knowledgeable expert is supporting you so that you do not get locked out of your tenant.

Data Protection through Encryption

Data encryption in Azure ensures that information is secure both at rest and in transit. This protection method safeguards sensitive data, even if it is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized entities.

Azure Disk Encryption allows you to secure virtual machine disks using BitLocker for Windows systems and DM-Crypt for Linux. This encryption protects the contents of virtual machine disks from physical theft or unauthorized access. To enable disk encryption, navigate to the Azure portal, locate your virtual machine settings, and configure encryption under the Security section.

Azure Storage Service Encryption is an automatic feature that encrypts data stored in Azure Storage accounts using Microsoft-managed encryption keys. Organizations that prefer greater control can use Azure Key Vault to manage their encryption keys directly. This flexibility ensures that your data remains protected while complying with specific organizational or regulatory requirements data at rest.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud for Threat Prevention

Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides a centralized hub for monitoring, managing, and enhancing your Azure environment’s security. It combines advanced threat detection with actionable recommendations to keep your resources safe.

Secure Score is a feature within Microsoft Defender for Cloud that evaluates your environment’s security posture and offers recommendations for improvement. For example, if your virtual machine lacks encryption or your storage account is accessible from all IP ranges, Secure Score will highlight these weaknesses and suggest corrective actions. Access Secure Score in the Microsoft Defender for Cloud dashboard and review recommendations to prioritize security measures effectively.

Threat Detection in Microsoft Defender for Cloud uses advanced analytics and machine learning to identify potential threats and anomalies in real time. Enabling Microsoft Defender for Cloud integrates threat detection capabilities into your environment, offering automatic alerts and guidance for mitigating risks. Configure Defender for Cloud in Security Center settings to activate this layer of protection. Explore governance rules to help manage alerting by severity, resource group, subscription, use tags to drive contacts, and add more targeted detection and response capabilities by getting alerts to the right team, right away.

Network Security with Azure Firewall and Network Security Groups (NSGs)

Network security is crucial for preventing unauthorized access and defending against external attacks. Azure offers tools like Azure Firewall and Network Security Groups (NSGs) to manage and secure your network traffic.

Azure Firewall provides centralized control over traffic entering and leaving your virtual network. It enables you to define inbound and outbound rules based on ports, protocols, and IP addresses. Deploy Azure Firewall by creating a firewall instance in the Azure portal, configuring its rules, and associating it with your virtual network. This tool ensures that malicious traffic is blocked before reaching your resources.

Network Security Groups (NSGs) allow you to filter network traffic at the resource level, defining rules for incoming and outgoing connections. For example, you can block all inbound traffic except for connections on port 443 (HTTPS). To configure NSG rules, select your virtual network, create an NSG, and define rules tailored to your security needs.

Advanced Security Analytics with Microsoft Sentinel

Microsoft Sentinel takes threat detection and response to the next level with its cloud-native security information and event management (SIEM) capabilities.

Data ingestion is a core feature of Microsoft Sentinel, enabling organizations to consolidate logs and telemetry from Azure resources, on-premises systems, and third-party applications. By connecting data sources like Azure Monitor logs and Office 365 activity logs, Sentinel provides a comprehensive view of your environment’s security.

Incident response is streamlined with Sentinel’s playbooks, which automate workflows for handling security incidents. For example, you can create a playbook to quarantine devices automatically when malware is detected. Configure playbooks in Sentinel by navigating to the Automation section and setting up workflows using Azure Logic Apps. Start with a workshop and get your favourite Microsoft Partner shop to help get you more familiar with Sentinel; then move into a PoC and really do a side-by-side or use case driven test. If you’re ready to move right into production then consider hiring an expert to help deploy your Sentinel SIEM & SOAR features quickly, and correctly. There are key elements in the planning phase for data ingestion patterns that can make budgets stretch or sink.

Compliance and Governance with Microsoft Purview

Regulatory compliance and data governance are critical concerns for organizations handling sensitive information. Microsoft Purview provides tools to simplify compliance efforts and manage data securely. A blend of Azure and M365 security features, Purview provides a wide-band of data protections, including protection from 3rd party and offshore AI tools.

Compliance Manager in Purview evaluates your Azure environment against industry standards like PIPEDA, PII, GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO. It generates reports and recommendations for achieving compliance, helping you stay ahead of regulatory requirements. Access Compliance Manager in the Purview portal to review your compliance score and actionable insights.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies help prevent sensitive data from leaving your organization through unauthorized channels. These policies allow you to detect and block data transfers based on predefined rules. Set up DLP policies using Purview, defining conditions for monitoring sensitive information such as credit card numbers or personal identifiers.

Conclusion

Microsoft Azure’s security features offer a comprehensive framework for protecting your data, identities, applications, and infrastructure. By leveraging tools like Entra ID, Azure Security Center, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft Sentinel, organizations can build a secure environment tailored to their unique needs. These features not only provide protection but also empower organizations to adapt to evolving threats and regulations effectively.

Start implementing these features in your Azure environment today to stay ahead of security challenges and protect your most valuable assets. Stay tuned to AzureTracks.com for more on Zero Trust and ways to get started with your security journey!