How to prevent connections to Azure SQL Database from Excel

Question

We want to prevent users from creating connections to Azure SQL Database from desktop applications and other unauthorized applications.

Answer 1

Hello Charlotte Watson

To prevent users from creating connections to Azure SQL Database from unauthorized applications, you can utilize Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and Azure SQL Database firewall rules. Here's how you can enforce this restriction:

Configure Azure AD authentication for Azure SQL Database:

• Enable Azure AD authentication for your Azure SQL Database. This ensures that only authenticated users can access the database and helps prevent unauthorized access.

Define Azure AD users or groups allowed to access the database:

• Specify the Azure AD users or groups that are authorized to access the Azure SQL Database. This step ensures that only authenticated users within the specified Azure AD scope can connect to the database.

Create firewall rules for Azure SQL Database:

Configure Azure SQL Database firewall rules to allow connections only from authorized applications. You can define firewall rules based on the client IP address or IP range, restricting access to specific applications or machines.

Review the existing firewall rules and ensure that they are properly configured to allow access only from authorized sources and applications. Remove any overly permissive rules that may allow connections from unauthorized locations.

Restrict outbound traffic in the network environment:

• Consider implementing network controls, such as firewall rules or network security groups, to restrict outbound traffic from your network environment. This helps prevent connections to Azure SQL Database from unauthorized applications or machines outside your network.

Monitor and audit access:

• Regularly review access logs and audit reports to identify any unauthorized connections or suspicious activities. Enable auditing and logging features provided by Azure SQL Database to track and analyze access attempts.

Educate and enforce security practices:

• Educate your users about best security practices, including the use of authorized applications and the importance of keeping their credentials secure. Enforce policies and guidelines that prohibit the use of unauthorized applications and reinforce the need for compliance.

By combining Azure AD authentication, proper firewall rules, network controls, monitoring, and user education, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized connections to Azure SQL Database from desktop applications and other unauthorized sources. Regularly review and update your security measures to adapt to changing threats and maintain a secure environment.

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Answer 2

@Anonymous Thank you for reaching out.

SQL database is by default deny-all i.e., if you just create a SQL Database with zero server/ database level firewall rules then nobody can connect to it. To provide access from a desktop application you will need to explicitly create a server/database level firewall rule.

Hope that clarifies your question.

Regards,

Oury