Security in Azure Analysis Services
Security is a critical aspect of managing Azure Analysis Services. This document outlines the various security features and best practices to protect your data models and ensure authorized access.
Authentication and Authorization
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
Azure Analysis Services integrates with Azure AD for robust authentication and authorization. All access to your Analysis Services instance is managed through Azure AD identities.
- Authentication: Users and applications authenticate to Azure AD to gain access to the Analysis Services instance.
- Authorization: Permissions are granted to Azure AD users, groups, and service principals to control access to the server, databases, and specific data objects (tables, columns).
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
RBAC is the primary mechanism for managing permissions within Azure Analysis Services. You can define roles with specific permissions at different levels:
- Server Level: Granting permissions to manage the Analysis Services server itself.
- Database Level: Granting permissions to access or administer specific databases within the server.
- Object Level: Granting permissions to read specific tables or columns within a database.
Database Roles
Within each Analysis Services database, you can create and manage database roles:
- Administrator: Full control over the database, including managing other roles.
- Reader: Can query data from the database.
- Custom Roles: Create roles with granular permissions for specific use cases.
Note: It is recommended to use Azure AD groups when assigning permissions to roles to simplify management.
Data Encryption
Encryption in Transit
All data transferred between clients (e.g., Power BI, Excel, custom applications) and Azure Analysis Services is encrypted using TLS/SSL. This ensures that data is protected from eavesdropping during communication.
Encryption at Rest
Azure Analysis Services encrypts data at rest using Azure Storage encryption. Your data is automatically encrypted, and Microsoft manages the encryption keys.
Network Security
Firewalls
You can configure firewalls for your Analysis Services instance to restrict network access. This allows you to specify which IP addresses or virtual networks can connect to your server, enhancing security by limiting exposure.
Virtual Networks (VNet)
For enhanced network isolation and security, you can integrate your Analysis Services instance with Azure Virtual Networks. This allows you to place your Analysis Services within a private network and control access through VNet peering and service endpoints.
Auditing and Logging
Diagnostic Logging
Azure Analysis Services provides diagnostic logging capabilities that allow you to capture detailed information about server activities, including connection attempts, query execution, and administrative operations. These logs can be sent to Azure Log Analytics, Azure Storage, or Azure Event Hubs for analysis and monitoring.
Auditing
Auditing helps you track who did what and when. By enabling auditing, you can log security-related events and gain insights into access patterns and potential security breaches.
Tip: Regularly review audit logs to identify suspicious activities and ensure compliance with security policies.
Best Practices for Security
- Grant the least privilege necessary to users and applications.
- Use Azure AD groups for role assignments.
- Configure firewalls to restrict access to authorized IP addresses or networks.
- Enable diagnostic logging and auditing for continuous monitoring.
- Regularly review and update role assignments and permissions.
- Secure service principals used for application access.