Understanding Azure encryption
Azure encryption refers to the process of encrypting data in Microsoft Azure cloud services to ensure that the data remains secure and protected from unauthorized access. Encryption is the process of transforming data into code that cannot be read without the appropriate decryption key. By encrypting data, organizations can protect sensitive information, such as personal data, financial information, and intellectual property.
Azure provides several encryption options, including encryption at rest and encryption in transit. Encryption at rest refers to the encryption of data when it is stored on Azure storage services, such as Azure Blob storage, Azure Files, and Azure Disk storage. Encryption in transit refers to the encryption of data when it is transferred between Azure services or between Azure and on-premises services.
This uses industry-standard encryption algorithms such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) to ensure the highest level of security for data in transit and at rest. Azure also provides customers with the option to bring their own encryption keys (BYOK) or use customer-managed keys (CMK) for added security and control.
Encryption of data at rest
Azure encryption of data at rest refers to the process of encrypting data when it is stored on Azure storage services such as Azure Blob storage, Azure Files, and Azure Disk storage. Encrypting data at rest helps to ensure that sensitive data remains secure and protected from unauthorized access, even if it is accessed by someone who gains physical access to the storage device.
Azure offers two types of encryption for data at rest: server-side encryption and client-side encryption.
- Server-side encryption: With server-side encryption, Azure encrypts data before it is stored on the server. Azure provides two options for server-side encryption:
- Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE): SSE automatically encrypts data in Blob storage and Azure Files using 256-bit AES encryption. SSE manages the encryption keys and ensures that the data remains encrypted at rest and in transit.
- Azure Disk Encryption (ADE): ADE encrypts data on Azure disks using BitLocker Drive Encryption. ADE allows customers to use their own encryption keys and manage the encryption process.
- Client-side encryption: With client-side encryption, data is encrypted by the client before it is sent to Azure for storage. Client-side encryption allows customers to maintain control over their encryption keys and provides an additional layer of security. Azure supports client-side encryption using Azure Key Vault or customer-managed keys (CMK).
Encryption models
Azure supports various encryption models. They are:
1. Client-side encryption
Client-side encryption executes outside of Azure. It includes:
- Firstly, data is encrypted by an application running in the customer’s data center or a service application.
- Secondly, data that is already encrypted when it is received by Azure.
2. Server-side encryption
The three server-side encryption models offer different key management characteristics:
- Firstly, Service-managed keys. Provides a combination of control and convenience with low overhead.
- Secondly, Customer-managed keys. Gives you control over the keys, including Bring Your Own Keys (BYOK) support, or allows you to generate new ones.
- Lastly, Service-managed keys in customer-controlled hardware. Enables you to manage keys in your proprietary repository, outside of Microsoft control. This characteristic is Host Your Own Key (HYOK).
3. Azure disk encryption
Azure disc encryption protects both operating system and data drives with full volume encryption for Windows and Linux virtual machines. It employs Windows BitLocker technology and Linux DM-Crypt.
4. Azure Storage Service Encryption
In both server-side and client-side scenarios, data at rest in Azure Blob storage and Azure file shares may be secured. However, Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) may encrypt data before it is saved and decode it when it is retrieved. Users have comprehensive visibility into the process.
5. Encryption of data at rest with Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a relational database service in Azure that supports relational data, JSON, geographic data, and XML formats. SQL The database, on the other hand, enables both server-side and client-side encryptions via the Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) feature and the Always Encrypted feature.
- Firstly, Transparent Data Encryption. TDE is for encrypting SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Azure Synapse Analytics data files in real-time, using a Database Encryption Key (DEK).
- Secondly, the Always Encrypted feature. With the Always Encrypted feature in Azure SQL, you can encrypt data within client applications prior to storing it in Azure SQL Database. You can also enable delegation of on-premises database administration to third parties and maintain separation between those who own and can view the data and those who manage it but should not have access to it.
- Lastly, Cell-level or column-level encryption. With Azure SQL Database, you can apply symmetric encryption to a column of data by using Transact-SQL. This approach is cell-level encryption or column-level encryption (CLE). This is because you can use it to encrypt specific columns or even specific cells of data with different encryption keys.
Encryption of data in transit
Data in transit refers to encrypting data when it is transferred between Azure services or between Azure and on-premises services. Encrypting data in transit helps to ensure that sensitive data remains secure and protected from unauthorized access while it is being transmitted.
Azure uses industry-standard encryption protocols, such as Transport Layer Security (TLS), to encrypt data in transit. TLS is a protocol that provides secure communication over the internet by encrypting data and providing authentication between the server and the client. Azure supports TLS for all traffic to and from Azure services, including virtual machines, load balancers, and Azure Storage.
Azure also supports mutual authentication, which provides an additional layer of security by requiring both the server and the client to authenticate each other before data is transmitted. Many Azure services, including Azure Virtual Network, Azure Service Bus, and Azure Event Hubs support mutual authentication.
Many strategies are available in Azure to keep data private as it transfers from one location to another.
1. Data-link Layer encryption in Azure
Whenever Azure Customer traffic moves between data centers– outside physical boundaries not controlled by Microsoft (or on behalf of Microsoft). A data-link layer encryption method using the IEEE 802.1AE MAC Security Standards applies from point to point across the underlying network hardware. Before being transferred, the packets are encrypted and decoded on the devices, avoiding “man-in-the-middle” or snooping/wiretapping attacks. This method enables line-rate encryption on the network hardware with no detectable connection delay impact since it integrates into the network hardware itself.
2. TLS encryption in Azure
Clients may utilize the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to safeguard data as it travels between cloud services and customers, according to Microsoft. Client systems connecting to Azure services, on the other hand, negotiate a TLS connection with Microsoft datacenters. Strong authentication, message privacy, and integrity, as well as interoperability, algorithm flexibility, and simplicity of implementation and usage, are all provided by TLS.
3. Azure Storage transactions
When you use the Azure interface to communicate with Azure Storage, all transactions are encrypted via HTTPS. To communicate with Azure Storage, you may utilize the Storage REST API via HTTPS. Furthermore, by activating the secure transfer that is necessary for the storage account, you may compel the usage of HTTPS when calling the REST APIs to access items in storage accounts.
In-transit encryption in VMs
In-transit encryption in VMs (Virtual Machines) refers to the process of encrypting data that is transmitted between VMs or between VMs and other services, such as databases or storage accounts, within the Azure cloud. In-transit encryption in VMs helps to protect data from interception and unauthorized access while it is being transmitted over the network.
Azure provides several encryption options for in-transit data in VMs, including:
- Transport Layer Security (TLS): TLS is a widely used encryption protocol that provides secure communication over the internet by encrypting data and providing authentication between the server and the client. Azure supports TLS for all traffic to and from VMs, including remote desktop connections, web traffic, and application traffic.
- IPsec VPN tunnels: IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a protocol suite used to secure internet Protocol (IP) communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication session. Azure supports the use of IPsec VPN tunnels to establish a secure connection between two networks or between a network and a VM.
- Azure ExpressRoute: Azure ExpressRoute is a dedicated, private connection between Azure and on-premises infrastructure that provides a secure and reliable network connection for transmitting data between VMs and other services. ExpressRoute is a premium Azure service that is typically used for high-traffic scenarios where low latency and high bandwidth are required.
In addition to these encryption options, Azure also provides network security groups, firewalls, and virtual private networks (VPNs) to help protect data in transit. Network security groups allow administrators to control inbound and outbound traffic to VMs, while firewalls can be used to restrict access to specific ports and protocols. VPNs can be used to establish secure connections between VMs and other services or networks.
Azure VPN encryption
Azure VPN encryption refers to the process of encrypting data that is transmitted between Azure Virtual Network and on-premises infrastructure using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs provide a secure connection between networks by encrypting all traffic that passes between them, ensuring that data remains protected from interception and unauthorized access.
Azure VPN supports several encryption protocols, including:
- Internet Protocol Security (IPsec): IPsec is a suite of protocols used to secure internet Protocol (IP) communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication session. Azure VPN supports both the IKEv1 and IKEv2 versions of IPsec, which provide strong encryption and authentication for VPN connections.
- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS): SSL and TLS are encryption protocols used to secure web traffic. Azure VPN supports the use of SSL and TLS for VPN connections, which can be useful for scenarios where firewalls or other security measures prevent the use of IPsec.
- Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP): PPTP is an older VPN protocol that is less secure than IPsec or SSL/TLS. However, it is still supported by Azure VPN for legacy scenarios.
Azure VPN also supports the use of cryptographic algorithms, such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA), and Message Digest Algorithm 5 (MD5), to provide strong encryption for VPN connections.
In addition to encryption, Azure VPN also provides other security features, such as authentication and access control. VPN connections can be authenticated using pre-shared keys, digital certificates, or Azure Active Directory, which helps ensure that only authorized users and devices can establish a VPN connection. Access control can be enforced using network security groups, which allow administrators to control inbound and outbound traffic to and from Virtual Network.
SC-900 Exam Practice Questions
Question: Which Azure service provides automatic encryption of data at rest for virtual machines?
A. Azure Disk Encryption
B. Azure Key Vault
C. Azure Security Center
D. Azure VPN Gateway
Answer: A. Azure Disk Encryption
Explanation: Azure Disk Encryption provides automatic encryption of data at rest for virtual machines. It uses BitLocker, which is a full disk encryption feature included in Windows operating systems, to encrypt virtual machine disks. This helps protect data from unauthorized access if the virtual machine is lost or stolen.
Question: Which Azure service can be used to store and manage encryption keys used for Azure services and applications?
A. Azure Disk Encryption
B. Azure Key Vault
C. Azure Security Center
D. Azure VPN Gateway
Answer: B. Azure Key Vault
Explanation: Azure Key Vault is a cloud-based service that can be used to store and manage encryption keys used for Azure services and applications. It provides a secure, central location to manage keys, secrets, and certificates used to protect data in Azure. By using Azure Key Vault, organizations can control access to keys and ensure that they are protected by strong security controls.
Question: Which encryption protocol is used by Azure VPN to secure VPN connections?
A. Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)
B. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
C. Transport Layer Security (TLS)
D. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
Answer: A. Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)
Explanation: Azure VPN uses Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) to secure VPN connections. IPsec is a suite of protocols used to secure IP communications by encrypting each IP packet of a communication session. Azure VPN supports both the IKEv1 and IKEv2 versions of IPsec, which provide strong encryption and authentication for VPN connections.
Question: Which cryptographic algorithm is used by Azure Key Vault to protect keys?
A. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
B. Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA)
C. Message Digest Algorithm 5 (MD5)
D. Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)
Answer: D. Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)
Explanation: Azure Key Vault uses the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) algorithm to protect keys. RSA is a widely used public-key cryptography algorithm that is used to encrypt and decrypt data. Azure Key Vault also supports other cryptographic algorithms, such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA), to provide strong encryption for data.
Question: Which Azure service can be used to detect and respond to threats in Azure environments?
A. Azure Disk Encryption
B. Azure Key Vault
C. Azure Security Center
D. Azure VPN Gateway
Answer: C. Azure Security Center
Explanation: Azure Security Center is a cloud-based service that can be used to detect and respond to threats in Azure environments. It provides a unified view of security across all Azure services and helps organizations protect against threats by providing threat intelligence, security alerts, and security recommendations. By using Azure Security Center, organizations can monitor and secure their Azure resources and ensure that they are protected by strong security controls.
Reference: Microsoft Documentation