Azure security baseline for Network Watcher
This security baseline applies guidance from the Microsoft cloud security benchmark version 1.0 to Network Watcher. The Microsoft cloud security benchmark provides recommendations on how you can secure your cloud solutions on Azure. The content is grouped by the security controls defined by the Microsoft cloud security benchmark and the related guidance applicable to Network Watcher.
You can monitor this security baseline and its recommendations using Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Azure Policy definitions will be listed in the Regulatory Compliance section of the Microsoft Defender for Cloud portal page.
When a feature has relevant Azure Policy Definitions, they are listed in this baseline to help you measure compliance with the Microsoft cloud security benchmark controls and recommendations. Some recommendations may require a paid Microsoft Defender plan to enable certain security scenarios.
Note
Features not applicable to Network Watcher have been excluded. To see how Network Watcher completely maps to the Microsoft cloud security benchmark, see the full Network Watcher security baseline mapping file.
Security profile
The security profile summarizes high-impact behaviors of Network Watcher, which may result in increased security considerations.
Service Behavior Attribute | Value |
---|---|
Product Category | Networking |
Customer can access HOST / OS | No Access |
Service can be deployed into customer's virtual network | False |
Stores customer content at rest | False |
Identity management
For more information, see the Microsoft cloud security benchmark: Identity management.
IM-1: Use centralized identity and authentication system
Features
Azure AD Authentication Required for Data Plane Access
Description: Service supports using Azure AD authentication for data plane access. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
True | False | Customer |
Configuration Guidance: Use Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) as the default authentication method to access the Network Watcher data. Network Watcher has several built-in Azure RBAC roles which allows a granular access permission control.
Reference: Azure role-based access control permissions required to use Network Watcher capabilities
IM-7: Restrict resource access based on conditions
Features
Conditional Access for Data Plane
Description: Data plane access can be controlled using Azure AD Conditional Access Policies. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
False | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Configuration Guidance: This feature is not supported to secure this service.
Privileged access
For more information, see the Microsoft cloud security benchmark: Privileged access.
PA-7: Follow just enough administration (least privilege) principle
Features
Azure RBAC for Data Plane
Description: Azure Role-Based Access Control (Azure RBAC) can be used to managed access to service's data plane actions. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
True | False | Customer |
Configuration Guidance: Network Watcher has multiple built-in Azure RBAC roles that allows you have a granular control of the role-based permissions for users to access Network Watcher.
Reference: Azure role-based access control permissions required to use Network Watcher capabilities
Data protection
For more information, see the Microsoft cloud security benchmark: Data protection.
DP-3: Encrypt sensitive data in transit
Features
Data in Transit Encryption
Description: Service supports data in-transit encryption for data plane. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
True | True | Microsoft |
Configuration Guidance: No additional configurations are required as this is enabled on a default deployment.
Reference: Data in transit
DP-4: Enable data at rest encryption by default
Features
Data at Rest Encryption Using Platform Keys
Description: Data at-rest encryption using platform keys is supported, any customer content at rest is encrypted with these Microsoft managed keys. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
False | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Feature notes: Azure Network Watcher doesn't store customer data at rest with the exception of the Connection Monitor service storing the data in Log Analytics workspace at customer's choice.
Configuration Guidance: This feature is not supported to secure this service.
Asset management
For more information, see the Microsoft cloud security benchmark: Asset management.
AM-2: Use only approved services
Features
Azure Policy Support
Description: Service configurations can be monitored and enforced via Azure Policy. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
True | False | Customer |
Configuration Guidance: Use Microsoft Defender for Cloud to configure Azure Policy to audit and enforce configurations of your Azure resources. Use Azure Monitor to create alerts when there is a configuration deviation detected on the resources. Use Azure Policy [deny] and [deploy if not exists] effects to enforce secure configuration across Azure resources.
Reference: Azure Policy built-in definitions for Azure Virtual Network
Logging and threat detection
For more information, see the Microsoft cloud security benchmark: Logging and threat detection.
LT-1: Enable threat detection capabilities
Features
Microsoft Defender for Service / Product Offering
Description: Service has an offering-specific Microsoft Defender solution to monitor and alert on security issues. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
False | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Configuration Guidance: This feature is not supported to secure this service.
LT-4: Enable logging for security investigation
Features
Azure Resource Logs
Description: Service produces resource logs that can provide enhanced service-specific metrics and logging. The customer can configure these resource logs and send them to their own data sink like a storage account or log analytics workspace. Learn more.
Supported | Enabled By Default | Configuration Responsibility |
---|---|---|
False | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Configuration Guidance: This feature is not supported to secure this service.
Next steps
- See the Microsoft cloud security benchmark overview
- Learn more about Azure security baselines