Identify data sources to be ingested for Microsoft Defender for Cloud

Azure Services:

The Azure services data sources include various Azure services such as Azure Activity Logs, Azure Security Center, Azure Policy, etc. By default, when you enable Microsoft Defender for Cloud, it collects data from the Azure Activity log and Azure Security Center to provide security insights.

Example:
Azure Activity Log: This service provides insights into subscription-level events. This includes information like who did what and when in the Azure environment.

Non-Azure Services:

These consist of workloads running on non-Azure platforms or on-premises. Microsoft Defender for Cloud supports ingesting data from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and on-premises workloads. This allows for a centralized view of security across multiple platforms.

Example:
AWS CloudTrail: Microsoft Defender for Cloud can ingest AWS CloudTrail logs to monitor activities in the AWS environment.

Partner Solutions:

Partner Solutions are third-party solutions that integrate with Defender for Cloud to enhance its capabilities. Microsoft has numerous security partners like Qualys, CyberArk, F5, etc. If using these services, their data can be ingested to provide additional context to the security posture.

Example:
Qualys Vulnerability Assessment: Microsoft has partnered with Qualys to provide vulnerability assessment capabilities in Defender for Cloud. The assessment data can be ingested to identify vulnerabilities.

SIEM Solutions:

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions like Azure Sentinel or Splunk can be used to provide a more comprehensive view of an organization’s security posture. The data from these solutions can be ingested into Defender for Cloud for better correlation of events and alerts.

Example:
Azure Sentinel: Azure Sentinel data can be ingested into Defender for Cloud to visualize and monitor security data in a centralized place

Custom Log Sources:

Microsoft Defender for Cloud also allows ingestion of custom logs. These can come from any source and can include application logs, OS logs, or data from custom hardware devices.

Example:
Web server logs: You can enable ingestion of custom logs from a web server, which can include information like IPs of clients accessing the website, types of requests and responses, etc.

Ingesting Data:

Once you have identified the data sources, the next step is to ingest the data. Microsoft Defender for Cloud supports different methods for ingesting data, including agents (Microsoft Monitoring Agent and Log Analytics Agent) for collecting log data, direct ingestion using APIs, and integration with other tools and services for collecting logs. The choice of ingestion method depends on the type of data source, the specific requirements of the use case, and the capabilities of the source system.

For configuring ingestion of data, you can follow the steps outlined below:

1. Navigate to Microsoft Defender for Cloud portal.
2. In the left menu, under the Configuration section, click on Data connectors.
3. Select the connector that corresponds to your data source and follow the instructions to configure it.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud is highly flexible in terms of the data sources it can work with. By identifying and ingesting data from various sources, it enables a holistic and comprehensive view of an organization’s security posture.

Practice Test

True or False: Microsoft Defender for Cloud only supports Azure data sources.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud supports data ingestion from Azure, AWS, and GCP data sources, as well as from on-premises and hybrid environments.

Which of the following can Microsoft Defender for Cloud ingest data from?

• A. Log Analytics Workspace
• B. Azure Purview
• C. Azure Event Hubs
• D. Azure Storage Account

Answer: A, C, D

Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud can ingest data from various Azure resources including Log Analytics Workspace, Azure Event Hubs, and Azure Storage Account. Azure Purview is used more for understanding data, its not a direct data source.

True or False: Microsoft Defender for Cloud cannot ingest data from on-premises environments.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud can ingest data from on-premises environments through various Azure services like Azure Sentinel or Azure Monitor.

What data sources does Microsoft Defender for Cloud support from AWS?

• A. AWS GuardDuty
• B. AWS S3
• C. AWS CloudTrail
• D. AWS CodePipeline

Answer: A, C

Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud supports data ingestion from AWS GuardDuty and AWS CloudTrail.

True or False: Data ingestion in Microsoft Defender for Cloud is limited to logs and events.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Data ingestion in Microsoft Defender for Cloud includes not just logs and events, but also vulnerability assessments, network maps, and other security-related data.

Which Azure service is primarily used to collect, consolidate, and analyze data for Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

• A. Azure Monitor
• B. Azure Security Center
• C. Azure Logic Apps
• D. Azure Purview

Answer: A. Azure Monitor

Explanation: Azure Monitor is the primary service used to collect and analyze log analytics data for Microsoft Defender for Cloud.

Can Microsoft Defender for Cloud ingest data from non-Azure sources like third-party APIs?

• Yes
• No

Answer: Yes

Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud can ingest data from a variety of sources, including non-Azure and third-party data sources, such as APIs, firewalls, and other security tools.

True or False: Data ingestion for Microsoft Defender for Cloud requires the data sources to be pre-formatted.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Data ingestion for Microsoft Defender for Cloud does not require pre-formatting of the data sources. It accepts raw data and provides the necessary tools for analysis and visualization.

Which of these platforms can Microsoft Defender for Cloud pull security data from?

• A. Azure Active Directory
• B. Google Cloud Platform
• C. Amazon Web Services
• D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud supports data ingestion from various sources, including Azure Active Directory, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud can ingest data from Docker Containers true or false?

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud can ingest data from many different containers including Docker, Kubernetes, and others.

Interview Questions

What categories of data can be ingested in Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

The categories of data that can be ingested in Microsoft Defender for Cloud include Microsoft Cloud App Security data, Azure Information Protection data, Azure Active Directory more, Azure Firewall and Azure DDoS protection logs, and Microsoft Defender for Identity raw data.

What is one reason to ingest data from Microsoft Cloud App Security into Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

Ingesting data from Microsoft Cloud App Security allows organizations to evaluate applications’ cloud risk scores and receive comprehensive visibility into data proliferation to detect risky or inappropriate data sharing.

How can Microsoft Defender for Cloud leverage data from the Azure Active Directory in its security analysis?

Microsoft Defender for Cloud can leverage Azure Active Directory data to process alerts for suspicious identity-related activities, identity-based threats, potential identity compromise, and to analyze overall identity security posture.

What type of data can be collected from Azure Information Protection by Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

Azure Information Protection can feed Microsoft Defender for Cloud with data about sensitive documents, labelling and protection information, and risky activities related to sensitive and classified data.

What is the importance of ingesting Azure Firewall logs into Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

Azure Firewall logs provide valuable data about inbound and outbound traffic, adding an extra layer to the security environment. Analyzing these logs in Microsoft Defender for Cloud allows for a better understanding of network activities and detection of potential threats.

How can Microsoft Defender for Identity raw data enhance Microsoft Defender for Cloud operations?

Microsoft Defender for Identity raw data provides insights into potentially harmful activities based on identity behavior analytics. It helps detect advanced threats, compromised identities, and malicious insider actions.

What type of logs does Azure DDoS Protection provide to Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

Azure DDoS Protection provides logs of DDoS attack patterns, which Microsoft Defender for Cloud can use to provide attack analytics and insights, helping organizations effectively protect against DDoS attacks.

Is it possible to ingest third-party security data into Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

Yes, Microsoft Defender for Cloud allows ingestion of security data from third-party solutions, such as firewalls and anti-malware systems, through Azure Monitor, enhancing the visibility and analysis of potential security risks across diverse environments.

Can Microsoft Defender for Cloud ingest data from Microsoft 365 Defender?

Yes, Microsoft 365 Defender data can be ingested into Microsoft Defender for Cloud, enabling unified visibility and responses across both identities and endpoints.

Why is it beneficial to integrate Azure Security Center with Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

Integrating Azure Security Center with Microsoft Defender for Cloud enables a more unified view of security posture across hybrid workloads running in Azure, on-premises, and in other clouds and improves security alerts and threat protection.