✈️Cloud Security Baseline for Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
Last updated
Last updated
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Control: Use Azure Active Directory (AAD) for authentication.
Recommendation: Integrate Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS) Gen2 with AAD for secure, centralized identity management.
Control: Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
Recommendation: Define roles and assign permissions based on the principle of least privilege. Regularly review and update access controls.
Control: Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Recommendation: Require MFA for all users accessing the storage account to add an extra layer of security.
Data Protection
Control: Encrypt data at rest.
Recommendation: Ensure all data stored in ADLS Gen2 is encrypted using Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) with Microsoft-managed keys or customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault.
Control: Encrypt data in transit.
Recommendation: Use HTTPS to secure data in transit. Enforce the use of secure transfer to ensure all communication to the storage account is encrypted.
Control: Implement data masking and anonymization.
Recommendation: Apply data masking and anonymization techniques to protect sensitive information, especially in non-production environments.
Network Security
Control: Use Virtual Network (VNet) integration.
Recommendation: Deploy ADLS Gen2 in a VNet to isolate and secure network traffic.
Control: Implement Private Link.
Recommendation: Use Azure Private Link to securely connect to ADLS Gen2 from on-premises networks and other Azure services without exposing them to the public internet.
Control: Configure Network Security Groups (NSGs).
Recommendation: Use NSGs to control inbound and outbound traffic to the storage account.
Logging and Monitoring
Control: Enable Diagnostic Logging.
Recommendation: Enable logging for ADLS Gen2 to capture and store detailed logs of access and activity within the storage account.
Control: Use Azure Monitor.
Recommendation: Integrate ADLS Gen2 with Azure Monitor to track performance metrics, set up alerts, and monitor the health of the storage account.
Control: Enable Azure Security Center.
Recommendation: Use Azure Security Center to monitor security posture, detect threats, and receive security recommendations for ADLS Gen2.
Compliance and Governance
Control: Implement Azure Policy.
Recommendation: Use Azure Policy to enforce compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements. Define and apply policies to ADLS Gen2 resources.
Control: Regular Security Assessments.
Recommendation: Conduct regular security assessments and audits to ensure compliance with security policies and identify potential vulnerabilities.
Control: Data Governance.
Recommendation: Use Azure Purview to manage and govern data across ADLS Gen2, ensuring data lineage, classification, and protection.
Endpoint Security
Control: Secure Development and Testing Environments.
Recommendation: Isolate development and testing environments from production to prevent accidental exposure of sensitive data.
Control: Use Endpoint Protection.
Recommendation: Ensure that all endpoints accessing the storage account have endpoint protection and antivirus software installed and updated.
Backup and Recovery
Control: Regular Backups.
Recommendation: Implement a backup strategy to regularly back up critical data. Use Azure Backup and ensure backups are stored securely and are encrypted.
Control: Disaster Recovery Planning.
Recommendation: Develop and test a disaster recovery plan to ensure quick recovery in case of data loss or service disruption. Use geo-redundant storage (GRS) to replicate data across regions.
Core Controls:
Identity and Access Control (IAM):
Utilize Azure Active Directory (AAD) for user authentication and authorization.
Implement granular access controls (RBAC) for users, groups, and services based on the least privilege principle.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all access to ADLS Gen2.
Network Security:
Configure your storage account to reside within a Virtual Network (VNet) with Network Security Groups (NSGs) to restrict inbound and outbound traffic.
Consider leveraging Azure Private Endpoints for secure communication within your VNet.
Data Security:
Enable customer-managed keys (CMK) with Azure Key Vault or Key Vault Managed HSM for encryption of data at rest and in transit.
Classify data based on sensitivity and implement appropriate access controls (e.g., Azure Data Share).
Utilize Azure Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to prevent sensitive data exfiltration.
Monitoring and Logging:
Enable storage account diagnostic logging to monitor access attempts, successful operations, and errors.
Integrate storage account logs with Azure Monitor for centralized management and analysis.
Utilize Azure Security Center for anomaly detection and potential threat identification.
Security Posture Management:
Regularly review security configurations for your storage account and access controls.
Utilize Azure Security Center for automated security assessments and vulnerability scanning.
Maintain a process for patching vulnerabilities in ADLS Gen2 and its dependencies.
Additional Considerations:
Just-in-Time (JIT) Access: Configure Azure Active Directory Privileged Access Management (PAM) for just-in-time access to storage accounts for privileged users.
Data Lifecycle Management: Implement data lifecycle management policies for automatic data deletion or archiving based on defined retention periods.
Threat Protection: Utilize Azure Sentinel for advanced threat detection and incident response capabilities.
Remember: This baseline represents a minimum security posture. You might need to implement additional controls based on your organization's security needs, regulatory requirements, and data sensitivity. Continuously evaluate and update your security baseline as needed.
Core Controls:
Identity and Access Control (IAM):
Utilize Azure Active Directory (AAD) for user authentication and authorization.
Implement granular access controls (RBAC) for users, groups, and services based on the least privilege principle.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all access to ADLS Gen2.
Network Security:
Configure your storage account to reside within a Virtual Network (VNet) with Network Security Groups (NSGs) to restrict inbound and outbound traffic.
Consider leveraging Azure Private Endpoints for secure communication within your VNet.
Data Security:
Enable customer-managed keys (CMK) with Azure Key Vault or Key Vault Managed HSM for encryption of data at rest and in transit.
Classify data based on sensitivity and implement appropriate access controls (e.g., Azure Data Share).
Utilize Azure Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to prevent sensitive data exfiltration.
Monitoring and Logging:
Enable storage account diagnostic logging to monitor access attempts, successful operations, and errors.
Integrate storage account logs with Azure Monitor for centralized management and analysis.
Utilize Azure Security Center for anomaly detection and potential threat identification.
Security Posture Management:
Regularly review security configurations for your storage account and access controls.
Implement automated security assessments using tools like Azure Security Center.
Maintain a process for patching vulnerabilities in ADLS Gen2.
Additional Considerations:
Just-in-Time (JIT) Access: Configure Azure Active Directory Privileged Access Management (PAM) to grant access on-demand for specific users requiring elevated permissions.
Data Lifecycle Management: Establish a data retention and deletion policy to remove unnecessary or outdated data.
Threat Protection: Utilize Azure Sentinel for advanced threat detection and incident response capabilities.
Remember: This baseline serves as a starting point. Your organization's security posture, regulatory requirements, and data sensitivity will influence your specific security needs. Continuously evaluate and update your baseline as needed.