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Azure SQL Database Security

This document provides a comprehensive reference for security features and best practices for Azure SQL Database. Securing your data is paramount, and Azure SQL Database offers a layered security approach to protect your sensitive information.

Key Security Areas

• Authentication and Authorization: Control who can access your database and what actions they can perform.
• Data Encryption: Protect data at rest and in transit.
• Network Security: Isolate your database and control network access.
• Threat Detection and Monitoring: Identify and respond to suspicious activities.
• Auditing: Track database events for compliance and security analysis.
• Vulnerability Assessment: Identify and remediate security vulnerabilities.

Authentication and Authorization

Azure SQL Database supports multiple authentication methods:

• SQL Authentication: Using username and password.
• Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Authentication: Leverage your Azure AD identities for integrated authentication. This is the recommended method for enhanced security and simplified management.

Authorization is managed through database roles and permissions, allowing granular control over access to objects and data.

Implementing Azure AD Authentication

To configure Azure AD authentication:

1. Enable Azure AD authentication for your Azure SQL server.
2. Create Azure AD users or groups and assign them to database roles.
3. Use Azure AD credentials to connect to your database.

Refer to the official Azure AD authentication guide for detailed steps.

Data Encryption

Azure SQL Database employs several encryption mechanisms:

• Transparent Data Encryption (TDE): Encrypts data at rest automatically. Your data and log files are encrypted using a symmetric key. TDE is enabled by default for all new Azure SQL databases.
• Always Encrypted: Protects sensitive data (like credit card numbers) from being seen by high-privileged database users. Data is encrypted in the client application before being sent to the database.
• SSL/TLS Encryption: Secures data in transit between your application and the database. Azure SQL Database enforces SSL/TLS for all connections.

Network Security

Azure SQL Database provides robust network security features:

• Firewall Rules: Control access to your SQL server from specific IP addresses or ranges.
• Virtual Network Service Endpoints: Restrict access to your SQL server from a subnet within an Azure Virtual Network.
• Private Link: Establish a private endpoint for your Azure SQL Database, allowing you to access it securely over a private IP address within your virtual network.

Configuring Firewall Rules

You can configure firewall rules via the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or PowerShell.

Example using Azure CLI:

Threat Detection and Monitoring

Azure SQL Database includes advanced threat protection capabilities:

• Advanced Data Security (ADS): A unified package for advanced security capabilities, including Vulnerability Assessment and Advanced Threat Protection.
• Advanced Threat Protection: Monitors your database for anomalous activities, such as unusual query patterns, suspicious login attempts, and potential data exfiltration. Alerts are sent to Azure Security Center.

Auditing

Enable auditing to track database events and maintain compliance. Auditing records can be sent to Azure Blob Storage, Azure Log Analytics, or Azure Event Hubs.

Enabling Auditing

Auditing can be configured through the Azure portal under the "Auditing" section of your Azure SQL Database server or database.

Vulnerability Assessment

Vulnerability Assessment is a built-in security service that helps discover, track, and remediate potential database vulnerabilities. It performs an on-demand scan and identifies deviations from best practices.

Learn more about securing your Azure SQL Database by exploring the detailed documentation for each feature.