Best practice rules for Microsoft Azure

Microsoft® Azure best practice rules

Trend Micro Cloud One™ – Conformity has over 750+ cloud infrastructure configuration best practices for your Amazon Web Services, Microsoft® Azure, and Google Cloud™ environments. Here is our growing list of Azure best practice rules with clear instructions on how to perform the updates – made either through the Azure console or via the Command Line Interface (CLI).

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AKS
- Check for Kubernetes Version
  Ensure that AKS clusters are using the latest available version of Kubernetes software.
- Enable Kubernetes Role-Based Access Control
  Ensure that Kubernetes Role-Based Access Control is enabled for Azure Kubernetes clusters.
Access Control
- Remove Custom Owner Roles
  Ensure there are no custom owner roles within your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
- Resource Locking Administrator Role
  Ensure that a resource locking administrator role is available for each Azure subscription.
Active Directory
- Allow Only Administrators to Create Security Groups
  Ensure that security groups can be created only by Active Directory (AD) administrators.
- Allow Only Administrators to Manage Office 365 Groups
  Ensure that Office 365 groups can be managed only by Active Directory (AD) administrators.
- Allow Only Administrators to Manage Security Groups
  Ensure that security groups can be managed only by Active Directory (AD) administrators.
- Check for Active Directory Guest Users
  Ensure there are no Microsoft Azure Active Directory guest users if they are not needed.
- Disable Remembering Multi-Factor Authentication
  Do not allow users to remember Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on their devices and browsers.
- Disable Self-Service Group Management
  Ensure that Active Directory (AD) self-service group management is disabled for non-administrator users.
- Enable Authentication Reconfirmation
  Ensure that user authentication information reconfirmation is enabled within Active Directory password reset policy.
- Enable Dual Identification for Password Reset
  Ensure that the number of methods required for user password reset is set to 2 (two).
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication for Non-Privileged Users
  Ensure that Multi-Factor Authentication feature is enabled for all non-privileged users.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication for Privileged Users
  Ensure that Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enabled for all privileged Azure users
- Enable Notifications for Administrator Password Resets
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AD) admins are notified on password resets.
- Enable Notifications for User Password Resets
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AD) users are notified on password resets.
- Enable Security Defaults
  Ensure that Security Defaults is enabled for Microsoft Azure Active Directory.
- Enforce Administrators to Provide Consent for Apps Before Use
  Require Active Directory administrators to provide consent for applications before use.
- Limit Guest User Permissions
  Ensure that Active Directory (AD) guest users permissions are limited.
- Require MFA to Join Devices
  Ensure that joining devices to Active Directory requires Multi-Factor Authentication.
- Restrict Adding Gallery Apps to Access Panel
  Ensure that Active Directory users are not allowed to add applications to Azure Access Panel.
- Restrict Application Registration for Non-Privileged Users
  Ensure that non-privileged users are not allowed to register third-party applications.
- Restrict Guest User Invitations
  Ensure that guest users cannot invite other guests to collaborate with your organization.
- Restrict Invitations to Administrators Only
  Ensure that only Active Directory administrators can invite guests to your directory.
- Restrict Non-Admin Access to Administration Portal
  Ensure that non-administrator users are not allowed to access Active Directory administration portal.
- Restrict Office 365 Group Creation to Administrators Only
  Ensure that Office 365 groups can be created only by Active Directory (AD) administrators.
- Restrict User Access to AAD Group Features in Azure Access Panel
  Ensure that the "Restrict user ability to access groups features in the Access Panel" setting is enabled.
Activity Log
- Create Alert for "Create Policy Assignment" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Create Policy Assignment" events.
- Create Alert for "Create or Update Load Balancer" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for "Create or Update Load Balancer" events.
- Create Alert for "Create or Update Security Solution" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Create/Update Security Solution" events.
- Create Alert for "Create or Update Virtual Machine" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for "Create or Update Virtual Machine (Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines)" events.
- Create Alert for "Create, Update or Delete SQL Server Firewall Rule" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the “Create/Update/Delete SQL Server Firewall Rule” events.
- Create Alert for "Create/Update Azure SQL Database" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for "Create/Update Azure SQL Database" events.
- Create Alert for "Create/Update Network Security Group" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Create/Update Network Security Group" events.
- Create Alert for "Create/Update Storage Account" Events
  Ensure there is an activity log alert created for the "Create/Update Storage Account" events.
- Create Alert for "Deallocate Virtual Machine" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Deallocate Virtual Machine (Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines)" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Azure SQL Database" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for "Delete Azure SQL Database (Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases)" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Key Vault" Events
  Ensure there is an activity log alert created for the "Delete Key Vault" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Load Balancer" Events
  Ensure there is an Azure activity log alert created for "Delete Load Balancer" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Network Security Group Rule" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Delete Network Security Group Rule" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Network Security Group" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Delete Network Security Group" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Security Solution" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Delete Security Solution" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Storage Account" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert exists for "Delete Storage Account" events.
- Create Alert for "Delete Virtual Machine" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert exists for "Delete Virtual Machine" events.
- Create Alert for "Power Off Virtual Machine" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert exists for "Power Off Virtual Machine" events.
- Create Alert for "Rename Azure SQL Database" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for "Rename Azure SQL Database" events.
- Create Alert for "Update Key Vault" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for "Update Key Vault (Microsoft.KeyVault/vaults)" events.
- Create Alert for "Update Security Policy" Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the "Update Security Policy" events.
- Create Alert for “Create/Update MySQL Database” Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for “Create/Update MySQL Database” events.
- Create Alert for “Create/Update Network Security Group Rule” Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for the “Create/Update Network Security Group Rule” events.
- Create Alert for “Create/Update PostgreSQL Database” Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for “Create/Update PostgreSQL Database” events.
- Create Alert for “Delete MySQL Database” Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for “Delete MySQL Database” events.
- Create Alert for “Delete PostgreSQL Database” Events
  Ensure that an activity log alert is created for “Delete PostgreSQL Database” events.
Advisor
- Check for Azure Advisor Recommendations
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure Advisor recommendations are analyzed and implemented.
AppService
- Check for Latest Version of .NET Framework
  Enable HTTP to HTTPS redirects for your Microsoft Azure App Service web applications.
- Check for Latest Version of Java
  Ensure that Azure App Service web applications are using the latest stable version of Java.
- Check for Latest Version of PHP
  Ensure that Azure App Service web applications are using the latest version of PHP.
- Check for Latest Version of Python
  Ensure that Azure App Service web applications are using the latest version of Python.
- Check for Sufficient Backup Retention Period
  Ensure there is a sufficient backup retention period configured for Azure App Services applications.
- Check for TLS Protocol Latest Version
  Ensure that Azure App Service web applications are using the latest version of TLS encryption.
- Disable Remote Debugging
  Disable Remote Debugging feature for your Microsoft Azure App Services web applications.
- Enable Always On
  Ensure that your Azure App Services web applications stay loaded all the time by enabling the Always On feature.
- Enable App Service Authentication
  Ensure that App Service Authentication is enabled within your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
- Enable Application Insights
  Ensure that Azure App Services applications are configured to use Application Insights feature.
- Enable Automated Backups
  Ensure that all your Azure App Services applications are using the Backup and Restore feature.
- Enable FTPS-Only Access
  Enable FTPS-only access for your Microsoft Azure App Services web applications.
- Enable HTTP/2
  Ensure that Azure App Service web applications are using the latest stable version of HTTP.
- Enable HTTPS-Only Traffic
  Enable HTTP to HTTPS redirects for your Microsoft Azure App Service web applications.
- Enable Incoming Client Certificates
  Ensure that Azure App Service web applications are using incoming client certificates.
- Enable Registration with Azure Active Directory
  Ensure that registration with Azure Active Directory is enabled for Azure App Service applications.
CosmosDB
- Enable Advanced Threat Protection
  Ensure that Advanced Threat Protection is enabled for all Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB accounts.
- Enable Automatic Failover
  Enable automatic failover for Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB accounts.
- Restrict Default Network Access for Azure Cosmos DB Accounts
  Ensure that default network access (i.e. public access) is denied within your Azure Cosmos DB accounts configuration.
KeyVault
- App Tier Customer-Managed Key In Use
  Ensure that a Customer-Managed Key is created for your Azure cloud application tier.
- Check for Allowed Certificate Key Types
  Ensure that Azure Key Vault certificates are using the appropriate key type(s).
- Check for Azure Key Vault Keys Expiration Date
  Ensure that your Azure Key Vault encryption keys are renewed prior to their expiration date.
- Check for Azure Key Vault Secrets Expiration Date
  Ensure that your Azure Key Vault secrets are renewed prior to their expiration date.
- Check for Certificate Minimum Key Size
  Ensure that Azure Key Vault RSA certificates are using the appropriate key size.
- Check for Key Vault Full Administrator Permissions
  Ensure that no Azure user, group or application has full permissions to access and manage Key Vaults.
- Check for Sufficient Certificate Auto-Renewal Period
  Ensure there is a sufficient period configured for the SSL certificates auto-renewal.
- Database Tier Customer-Managed Key In Use
  Ensure that a Customer-Managed Key is created for your Microsoft Azure cloud database tier.
- Enable AuditEvent Logging for Azure Key Vaults
  Ensure that AuditEvent logging is enabled for your Microsoft Azure Key Vaults.
- Enable Certificate Transparency
  Ensure that certificate transparency is enabled for all your Azure Key Vault certificates.
- Enable Key Vault Recoverability
  Ensure that your Microsoft Azure Key Vault instances are recoverable.
- Enable SSL Certificate Auto-Renewal
  Ensure that Auto-Renewal feature is enabled for your Azure Key Vault SSL certificates.
- Enable Trusted Microsoft Services for Key Vault Access
  Allow trusted Microsoft services to access your Azure Key Vault resources (i.e. encryption keys, secrets and certificates).
- Restrict Default Network Access for Azure Key Vaults
  Ensure that default network access (i.e. public access) rule is set to "Deny" within your Azure Key Vaults configuration.
- Set Azure Secret Key Expiration
  Ensure that an expiration date is set for all your Microsoft Azure secret keys.
- Set Encryption Key Expiration
  Ensure that an expiration date is configured for all your Microsoft Azure encryption keys.
- Web Tier Customer-Managed Key In Use
  Ensure that a Customer-Managed Key is created for your Microsoft Azure cloud web tier.
Locks
- Enable Azure Resource Locks
  Ensure that resource locks are enabled for your high-impact Microsoft Azure resources.
Monitor
- Activity Log All Activities
  Ensure that Azure Log Profile is configured to export all control & management activities.
- Activity Log All Regions
  Ensure that Azure Log Profile is configured to capture activity logs for all regions.
- Activity Log Retention
  Ensure that Azure activity log retention period is set for 365 days or greater.
- Azure Activity Log Profile in Use
  Ensure that a Log Profile exists for each subscription available in your Azure account.
- Check for Publicly Accessible Activity Log Storage Container
  Ensure that the Azure storage container storing the activity logs is not publicly accessible.
- Use BYOK for Activity Log Storage Container Encryption
  Use Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) for Azure activity log storage container encryption.
MySQL
- Enable In-Transit Encryption for MySQL Servers
  Ensure that in-transit encryption is enabled for your Azure MySQL database servers.
Network
- Check for NSG Flow Log Retention Period
  Ensure that Network Security Group (NSG) flow log retention period is greater than or equal to 90 days.
- Check for Network Security Groups with Port Ranges
  Ensure there are no network security groups with range of ports opened to allow incoming traffic.
- Check for Unrestricted FTP Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted inbound access on TCP port 20 and 21 (File Transfer Protocol – FTP).
- Check for Unrestricted MS SQL Server Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted inbound access on TCP port 1433 (Microsoft SQL Server).
- Check for Unrestricted MySQL Database Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted ingress access on TCP port 3306 (MySQL Database).
- Check for Unrestricted Oracle Database Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted inbound access on TCP port 1521 (Oracle Database).
- Check for Unrestricted PostgreSQL Database Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted inbound access on TCP port 5432 (PostgreSQL Database Server).
- Check for Unrestricted RDP Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted inbound access on TCP port 3389 (Remote Desktop Protocol – RDP).
- Check for Unrestricted RPC Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted inbound access on TCP port 135 (Remote Procedure Call – RPC).
- Check for Unrestricted SSH Access
  Ensure that no network security groups allow unrestricted inbound access on TCP port 22 (SSH).
- Enable Azure Network Watcher
  Ensure that Network Watcher service is enabled for all your Microsoft Azure subscriptions.
- Enable DDoS Standard Protection for Virtual Networks
  Ensure that DDoS standard protection is enabled for production Azure virtual networks.
- Monitor Network Security Group Configuration Changes
  Network security group changes have been detected in your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
- Review Network Interfaces with IP Forwarding Enabled
  Ensure that the Azure network interfaces with IP forwarding enabled are regularly reviewed.
Policy
- Policy Assignment Created
  Policy assignment changes have been detected in your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
PostgreSQL
- Check for PostgreSQL Log Retention Period
  Ensure that PostgreSQL database servers have a sufficient log retention period configured.
- Check for PostgreSQL Major Version
  Ensure that PostgreSQL database servers are using the latest major version of PostgreSQL database.
- Enable "CONNECTION_THROTTLING" Parameter for PostgreSQL Servers
  Ensure that "connection_throttling" parameter is set to "ON" within your Azure PostgreSQL server settings.
- Enable "LOG_CHECKPOINTS" Parameter for PostgreSQL Servers
  Enable "log_checkpoints" parameter for your Microsoft Azure PostgreSQL database servers.
- Enable "LOG_CONNECTIONS" Parameter for PostgreSQL Servers
  Enable "log_connections" parameter for your Microsoft Azure PostgreSQL database servers.
- Enable "LOG_DISCONNECTIONS" Parameter for PostgreSQL Servers
  Enable "log_disconnections" parameter for your Microsoft Azure PostgreSQL database servers.
- Enable "LOG_DURATION" Parameter for PostgreSQL Servers
  Enable "log_duration" parameter on your Microsoft Azure PostgreSQL database servers.
- Enable Geo-Redundant Backups
  Ensure that geo-redundant backups are enabled for your Azure PostgreSQL database servers.
- Enable In-Transit Encryption for PostgreSQL Database Servers
  Ensure that in-transit encryption is enabled for your Azure PostgreSQL database servers.
- Enable Storage Auto-Growth
  Ensure that storage auto-growth is enabled for your Microsoft Azure PostgreSQL database servers.
- Use Azure Active Directory Admin for PostgreSQL Authentication
  Ensure that an Azure Active Directory (AAD) admin is configured for PostgreSQL authentication.
Recovery Services
- Enable Email Notifications for Backup Alerts
  Ensure that email notifications are enabled for virtual machine (VM) backup alerts.
Redis Cache
- Check for TLS Protocol Latest Version
  Ensure that Azure Redis Cache servers are using the latest version of the TLS protocol.
- Enable In-Transit Encryption for Redis Cache Servers
  Ensure that in-transit encryption is enabled for all Microsoft Azure Redis Cache servers.
Resources
- Tags
  Ensure there is a tagging strategy in use for identifying and organizing Azure resources by name, purpose, environment, and other criteria.
Search
- Enable System-Assigned Managed Identities
  Ensure that Azure Search Service instances are configured to use system-assigned managed identities.
Security Center
- Check for Azure Security Center Recommendations
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure Security Center recommendations are examined and resolved.
- Configure Additional Email Addresses for Azure Security Center Notifications
  Ensure that additional email addresses are provided to receive security notifications.
- Detect Create, Update or Delete Security Solution Events
  Security solution changes have been detected within your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
- Detect Update Security Policy Event
  Azure security policy changes have been detected within your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
- Enable Adaptive Application Safelisting Monitoring
  Enable adaptive application safelisting monitoring for Microsoft Azure virtual machines.
- Enable Alert Notifications for Subscription Owners
  Ensure that "Also send email notification to subscription owners" feature is enabled within Azure Security Center.
- Enable All Parameters for ASC Default Policy
  Ensure that all the supported ASC Default policy parameters are enabled.
- Enable Automatic Provisioning of the Monitoring Agent
  Ensure that "Automatic provisioning of monitoring agent" feature is enabled to enhance security at the virtual machine (VM) level.
- Enable Azure Defender for Azure SQL Database Servers
  Ensure that Azure Defender is enabled for Microsoft SQL database servers.
- Enable Azure Defender for Azure Storage Accounts
  Ensure that the Azure Defender feature is enabled for Azure Storage accounts.
- Enable DDoS Protection Standard Monitoring for Public Virtual Networks
  Ensure that monitoring of DDoS protection at the Azure virtual network level is enabled.
- Enable Disk Encryption Monitoring
  Enable disk encryption monitoring for Microsoft Azure virtual machines (VMs).
- Enable Email Notification for Alerts
  Ensure that "Email Notification for Alerts" security feature is enabled within Azure Security Center.
- Enable Endpoint Protection Monitoring
  Enable endpoint protection monitoring and recommendations for Microsoft Azure virtual machines.
- Enable JIT Network Access Monitoring
  Ensure that JIT network access monitoring for Azure virtual machines (VMs) is enabled.
- Enable Monitoring for OS Vulnerabilities
  Enable OS vulnerability monitoring for Microsoft Azure virtual machines (VMs).
- Enable Monitoring of Deprecated Accounts
  Ensure that monitoring of deprecated accounts within your Azure subscription(s) is enabled.
- Enable Network Security Group Monitoring
  Enable network security group recommendations for Microsoft Azure virtual machines (VMs).
- Enable Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Monitoring
  Ensure that next generation firewall monitoring for Azure virtual machines (VMs) is enabled.
- Enable SQL Auditing Monitoring
  Enable SQL auditing and threat detection monitoring for Microsoft Azure SQL servers.
- Enable SQL Encryption Monitoring
  Enable SQL encryption monitoring and recommendations for Microsoft Azure SQL servers.
- Enable Standard Pricing Tier
  Ensure that Security Center standard pricing tier is enabled in your Microsoft Azure account.
- Enable Storage Encryption Monitoring
  Enable storage encryption monitoring and recommendations for Azure Storage resources.
- Enable System Updates Monitoring
  Enable system updates recommendations for Microsoft Azure virtual machines (VMs).
- Enable Virtual Machine IP Forwarding Monitoring
  Ensure that IP forwarding enabled on your Azure virtual machines (VMs) is being monitored.
- Enable Vulnerability Assessment Monitoring
  Ensure that vulnerability assessment monitoring for Azure virtual machines (VMs) is enabled.
- Enable Web Application Firewall Monitoring
  Enable web application firewall monitoring for Microsoft Azure virtual machines (VMs).
- Monitor External Accounts with Write Permissions
  Ensure that the external accounts with write permissions are monitored using Azure Security Center.
- Monitor the Total Number of Subscription Owners
  Ensure that the total number of subscription owners within your Azure account is monitored.
- Security Contact Emails In Use
  Ensure that one or more security contact email addresses are defined within Azure Security Center settings.
- Security Contact Phone Numbers In Use
  Ensure that a security contact phone number is provided in the Azure Security Center settings.
Sql
- Advanced Data Security for SQL Servers
  Ensure that Advanced Data Security (ADS) is enabled at the Azure SQL database server level.
- Check for Publicly Accessible SQL Servers
  Ensure that Azure SQL database servers are accessible via private endpoints only.
- Check for Sufficient Point in Time Restore (PITR) Backup Retention Period
  Ensure there is a sufficient PITR backup retention period configured for Azure SQL databases.
- Check for Unrestricted SQL Database Access
  Ensure that no SQL databases allow unrestricted inbound access from 0.0.0.0/0 (any IP address).
- Configure "AuditActionGroup" for SQL Server Auditing
  Ensure that "AuditActionGroup" property is well configured at the Azure SQL database server level.
- Detect Create, Update, and Delete SQL Server Firewall Rule Events
  SQL Server firewall rule changes have been detected in your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
- Enable All Types of Threat Detection on SQL Servers
  Enable all types of threat detection for your Microsoft Azure SQL database servers.
- Enable Auditing for SQL Servers
  Ensure that database auditing is enabled at the Azure SQL database server level.
- Enable Auto-Failover Groups
  Ensure that your Azure SQL database servers are configured to use auto-failover groups.
- Enable Automatic Tuning for SQL Database Servers
  Ensure that Automatic Tuning feature is enabled for Microsoft Azure SQL database servers.
- Enable Email Alerts for Administrators and Subscription Owners
  Enable administrators and subscription owners to receive threat detection email notification alerts for SQL servers.
- Enable Email Alerts for SQL Threat Detection Service
  Enable threat detection email notification alerts for your Microsoft Azure SQL servers.
- Enable Transparent Data Encryption for SQL Databases
  Ensure that Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is enabled for every Azure SQL database.
- SQL Auditing Retention
  Ensure that SQL database auditing has a sufficient log data retention period configured.
- Use Azure Active Directory Admin for SQL Authentication
  Ensure that an Azure Active Directory (AAD) admin is configured for SQL authentication.
- Use BYOK for Transparent Data Encryption
  Use Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) support for Transparent Data Encryption (TDE).
Storage Accounts
- Allow Shared Access Signature Tokens Over HTTPS Only
  Ensure that Shared Access Signature (SAS) tokens are allowed only over the HTTPS protocol.
- Check for Overly Permissive Stored Access Policies
  Ensure that Azure Storage shared access signature (SAS) tokens are not using overly permissive access policies.
- Check for Publicly Accessible Web Containers
  Ensure that Azure Storage containers created to host static websites are not publicly accessible.
- Check for Sufficient Soft Deleted Data Retention Period
  Ensure there is a sufficient retention period configured for Azure Blob Storage soft deleted data.
- Disable Anonymous Access to Blob Containers
  Ensure that anonymous access to blob containers is disabled within your Azure Storage account.
- Enable Blob Storage Lifecycle Management
  Ensure that Azure Blob Storage service has a lifecycle management policy configured.
- Enable Immutable Blob Storage
  Ensure that critical Azure Blob Storage data is protected from accidental deletion or modification.
- Enable Logging for Azure Storage Queue Service
  Ensure that detailed storage logging is enabled for the Azure Storage Queue service.
- Enable Secure Transfer in Azure Storage
  Ensure that "Secure transfer required" security feature is enabled within your Azure Storage account configuration.
- Enable Soft Delete for Azure Blob Storage
  Ensure that Soft Delete feature is enabled for your Microsoft Azure Storage blob objects.
- Enable Trusted Microsoft Services for Storage Account Access
  Allow Trusted Microsoft Services to access your Azure Storage account resources.
- Expire Shared Access Signature Tokens
  Ensure that your Shared Access Signature (SAS) tokens expire within an hour.
- Limit Storage Account Access by IP Address
  Ensure that Azure Storage account access is limited only to specific IP address(es).
- Regenerate Storage Account Access Keys Periodically
  Regenerate storage account access keys periodically to help keep your storage account secure.
- Restrict Default Network Access for Storage Accounts
  Ensure that the default network access rule is set to "Deny" within your Azure Storage account.
- Review Storage Accounts with Static Website Configuration
  Ensure that Azure Storage Accounts with static website configuration are regularly reviewed (informational).
- Use BYOK for Storage Account Encryption
  Use customer-managed keys (CMKs) for Microsoft Azure Storage accounts encryption.
Subscriptions
- Check for Azure Cloud Budget Alerts
  Ensure there are budget alerts configured to warn about forthcoming budget overages within your Azure cloud account.
- Check for the Number of Subscription Owners
  Ensure there is more than one owner assigned to your Microsoft Azure subscription.
- Ensure "Not Allowed Resource Types" Policy Assignment in Use
  To prevent certain resource types from being deployed ensure that "Not Allowed Resource Types" policy is assigned.
Virtual Machines
- Apply Latest OS Patches
  Ensure that the latest OS patches available for Microsoft Azure virtual machines are applied.
- Approved Azure Machine Image in Use
  Ensure that all your Azure virtual machine instances are launched from approved machine images only.
- Check for Associated Load Balancers
  Ensure that your Azure virtual machine scale sets are using load balancers for traffic distribution.
- Check for Desired VM SKU Size(s)
  Ensure that your virtual machine instances are of a given SKU size (e.g. Standard_A8_v2).
- Check for Empty Virtual Machine Scale Sets
  Identify and remove empty virtual machine scale sets from your Azure cloud account.
- Check for SSH Authentication Type
  Ensure that Azure Linux-based virtual machines (VMs) are configured to use SSH keys.
- Check for Sufficient Daily Backup Retention Period
  Ensure there is a sufficient daily backup retention period configured for Azure virtual machines.
- Check for Sufficient Instant Restore Retention Period
  Ensure there is a sufficient instant restore retention period configured for Azure virtual machines.
- Check for Unused Load Balancers
  Identify and remove unused load balancers from your Microsoft Azure cloud account.
- Check for Zone-Redundant Virtual Machine Scale Sets
  Ensure that Azure virtual machine scale sets are configured for zone redundancy.
- Disable Premium SSD
  Ensure that Azure virtual machines are using Standard SSD disk volumes instead of Premium SSD volumes to optimize VM costs.
- Enable Accelerated Networking for Virtual Machines
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure virtual machines are configured to use accelerated networking.
- Enable Auto-Shutdown
  Configure your Microsoft Azure virtual machines to automatically shut down on a daily basis.
- Enable Automatic Instance Repairs
  Ensure that Azure virtual machine scale sets are configured to use automatic instance repairs
- Enable Automatic OS Upgrades
  Ensure that Automatic OS Upgrades feature is enabled for your Azure virtual machine scale sets.
- Enable Autoscale Notifications
  Ensure that autoscale notifications are enabled for Azure virtual machine scale sets.
- Enable Backups for Azure Virtual Machines
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure Backup service is in use for your Azure virtual machines (VMs).
- Enable Encryption for App-Tier Disk Volumes
  Ensure that Azure virtual machine disk volumes created for the app tier are encrypted.
- Enable Encryption for Boot Disk Volumes
  Ensure that encryption is enabled for Azure virtual machine boot volumes to protect data at rest.
- Enable Encryption for Non-Boot Disk Volumes
  Ensure that encryption at rest is enabled for Microsoft Azure virtual machine non-boot volumes.
- Enable Encryption for Unattached Disk Volumes
  Ensure that encryption at rest is enabled for unattached Azure virtual machine disk volumes.
- Enable Encryption for Web-Tier Disk Volumes
  Ensure that Azure virtual machine disk volumes deployed within the web tier are encrypted.
- Enable Guest-Level Diagnostics for Virtual Machines
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure virtual machines are configured to use OS guest-level monitoring.
- Enable Instance Termination Notifications for Virtual Machine Scale Sets
  Ensure that instance termination notifications are enabled for your Azure virtual machine scale sets.
- Enable Just-In-Time Access for Virtual Machines
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure virtual machines are configured to use Just-in-Time (JIT) access.
- Enable Performance Diagnostics for Azure Virtual Machines
  Ensure that Azure virtual machines are configured to use the Performance Diagnostics tool.
- Enable System-Assigned Managed Identities
  Ensure that Azure virtual machines are configured to use system-assigned managed identities.
- Enable Virtual Machine Access using Active Directory Authentication
  Configure your Microsoft Azure virtual machines to use Azure Active Directory credentials for secure authentication.
- Enable Virtual Machine Boot Diagnostics
  Ensure that Microsoft Azure virtual machines are configured to use Boot Diagnostics feature.
- Enable and Configure Health Monitoring
  Ensure that the health of your Microsoft Azure scale set instances is being monitored.
- Install Approved Extensions Only
  Ensure that only approved extensions are installed on your Microsoft Azure virtual machines.
- Install Endpoint Protection
  Ensure that endpoint protection is installed on your Microsoft Azure virtual machines.
- Remove Old Virtual Machine Disk Snapshots
  Identify and remove old virtual machine disk snapshots in order to optimize cloud costs.
- Remove Unattached Virtual Machine Disk Volumes
  Remove any unattached Azure virtual machine (VM) disk volumes to improve security and reduce costs
- Use BYOK for Disk Volumes Encryption
  Use customer-managed keys for Microsoft Azure virtual machine (VM) disk volumes encryption.
- Use Managed Disk Volumes for Virtual Machines
  Ensure that your Microsoft Azure virtual machines are using managed disk volumes.