Microsoft Defender for servers is a cloud-based solution that enhances the security posture of your infrastructure in Azure, on-premises, or any cloud. This service delivers real-time protection capabilities that help identify and block malicious behavior and advanced persistent threats that target hybrid data centers.
In order to configure Microsoft Defender for servers, you need to follow a number of steps within the Azure Security Center.
Enable Microsoft Defender for Servers
Firstly, to enable Microsoft Defender for Servers, follow these steps:
- Go to the Azure portal and navigate to the Azure Security Center.
- Click on ‘Pricing & settings’.
- Select the subscription for which you want to enable Microsoft Defender for servers.
- In the ‘Security Center Standard’ section under ‘Resource Type,’ choose ‘Servers’.
- Set ‘Microsoft Defender plan’ to ‘On’. Save the changes.
Configuring Auto-Provisioning
To ensure that your Microsoft Defender for Servers is able to gather the necessary information from your virtual machines, it’s important to enable certain Auto-Provisioning settings.
Here are the steps to configure Auto-Provisioning:
- Navigate to Azure Security Center in the Azure portal.
- Click on ‘Pricing & settings’ and select the specific subscription.
- Click on ‘Auto Provisioning’ under ‘Data collection’.
- Set ‘Auto Provisioning’ to ‘On’.
This will give permissions to the Microsoft Monitoring Agent to install or uninstall necessary extensions for the service to work efficiently.
Configuring Alerting and Notification
Microsoft Defender for Servers offers the advantage of setting up alerts and notifications which can help you stay informed on the security state of your servers.
Here is how to set up alerting and notification:
- Navigate to the Azure Security Center in Azure portal.
- Click on ‘Security policy’.
- Click on the subscription you’re interested in.
- Under ‘Alerts & notifications’, adjust as necessary to your requirements.
Recommendation Scan Scheduling
Microsoft Defender for Servers allows you the flexibility to determine when your servers will be scanned for security recommendations and potential vulnerabilities.
Here is how to schedule recommendation scan:
- Navigate to the Azure Security Center in Azure portal.
- Click on ‘Security policy’.
- Choose the subscription you’re interested in.
- Under ‘Recommendation scan scheduling’, adjust as necessary to your requirements.
In conclusion, Microsoft Defender for Servers is a vital service in your cybersecurity strategy. Employing it protects your servers from a variety of threats and provides you with alerts and recommendations to boost your overall security posture. When properly configured, Microsoft Defender for Servers becomes an integral part of your Azure strategy for a secure and productive infrastructure.
Practice Test
True or False: Microsoft Defender for Servers provides comprehensive, inbound protection for your servers.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Servers provides comprehensive, both inbound and outbound protection for your servers.
Which of the following are key features of Microsoft Defender for Servers? (Multiple Select)
- A. Virus & threat protection
- B. Firewall & network protection
- C. Device performance & health
- D. Account protection
Answer: A,B.
Explanation: Key features of Microsoft Defender for Servers include Virus & threat protection and Firewall & network protection.
Microsoft Defender for Servers supports only Windows servers.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Servers can also protect Linux servers, not only Windows servers.
True or False: Microsoft Defender for Servers is configured using Azure Security Center.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Servers is a feature of Azure Security Center and it is configured from there.
Microsoft Defender for Servers on Azure is only useful for threat detection.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Besides threat detection, it offers secure score, regulatory compliance features, and more.
Which of the following is not included in the Microsoft Defender for Servers’ threat and vulnerability management?
- A. Discovering vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in real time
- B. Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on business context
- C. Fixing vulnerabilities by automatically generating and removing patches
- D. Offering end-user device protection
Answer: D
Explanation: End-user device protection is not part of Microsoft Defender for Servers. It’s another product named Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
To use Microsoft Defender for Servers, you need to be signed in with an Azure AD account having ‘Security Admin’ or ‘Owner’ permissions.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: To configure and manage Microsoft Defender for Servers from Azure Security Center, the account must have the Security Admin or Owner permissions.
What does Microsoft Defender for Servers use to detect and prevent attacks?
- A. Machine learning
- B. Behavioral analytics
- C. Threat intelligence
- D. All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Servers uses all of the above (machine learning, behavioral analytics, threat intelligence) to detect and prevent attacks.
Is it possible to integrate Microsoft Defender for Servers with Azure Logic Apps for automated response?
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Servers can indeed be integrated with Azure Logic Apps for executing automated responses against threats.
The onboarding process of servers to Microsoft Defender for Servers requires installing an agent on each server.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: In order to enable Microsoft Defender for Servers, you’d need to install the Log Analytics agent on each server you plan on protecting.
Do you need to have Azure Security Standard tier enabled to use Microsoft Defender for Servers?
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Using Microsoft Defender for Servers requires Azure Security Center’s Standard pricing tier.
True or False: One can use Microsoft Defender for Servers to generate and export reports on vulnerabilities and security recommendations.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Users can generate and export comprehensive reports about the vulnerabilities and security-based recommendations using Microsoft Defender for Servers.
Can you integrate Microsoft Defender for Servers with Azure Sentinel for SIEM capabilities?
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: You can indeed utilize Microsoft Defender for Servers with Azure Sentinel for enhanced Security Information and Event Management capabilities.
True or False: Microsoft Defender for Servers can only be managed and configured from Azure portal.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Though primarily managed from Azure portal, PowerShell can also be used to manage and configure Microsoft Defender for Servers.
Microsoft Defender for Servers is capable of monitoring network traffic and applying rules for permitted and blocked traffic for both inbound and outbound connections.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Servers does have network protection capabilities and can monitor and control both inbound and outbound traffic.
Interview Questions
How do you enable real-time protection in Microsoft Defender for Servers?
Real-time protection can be enabled by navigating to the settings page of Microsoft Defender for Servers and selecting the ‘Turn on real-time protection’ box under the Real-time protection section.
What kind of threats can Microsoft Defender for Servers detect?
Microsoft Defender for Servers can detect various threats such as malware, viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other software threats.
How frequently does Microsoft Defender for Servers update its definitions for real-time protection?
Microsoft Defender for Servers is updated several times a day, with the exact frequency determined by Microsoft’s malware analysts who continually review the landscape of threats.
What is the role of Cloud-delivered protection in Microsoft Defender for Servers?
Cloud-delivered protection in Microsoft Defender for Servers provides real-time, up-to-date threat detection to help protect your server against new malware threats.
Can Microsoft Defender for Servers be managed by Azure Security Center?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for Servers can be managed via the Azure Security Center, allowing for centralized management of security policies and monitoring of server health.
Is it possible to configure Microsoft Defender for Servers to automatically send samples to Microsoft for analysis?
Yes, the ‘Automatic sample submission’ feature can be used to automatically send suspected malicious files to Microsoft for detailed analysis.
Does Microsoft Defender for Servers offer protection against network-based threats?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for Servers includes Network protection feature that helps prevent employees from using any application to access dangerous domains that may host phishing scams, exploit-hosting sites, and other malicious content.
How to configure Tamper protection for Microsoft Defender Server?
Tamper protection can be configured in the Microsoft Defender Server settings page by enabling the ‘Tamper protection’ option, which is designed to protect the Defender’s settings from unauthorized changes.
Can you disable Microsoft Defender for Server if you choose to use another antivirus software on your Azure server?
Yes, you can disable Microsoft Defender for Server if you decide to use another antivirus solution. However, it is important to ensure that the new antivirus is compatible and provides the necessary protection for your server.
What is the role of the Controlled folder access feature in Microsoft Defender for Servers?
The Controlled folder access helps protect valuable data from malicious apps and threats, such as ransomware, by allowing only authorized apps to make changes in protected folders.
How to verify if Microsoft Defender for Servers is operating correctly on your server?
You can verify the operation of Microsoft Defender for Servers by checking the security health status on the Azure Security Center, or by running a manual scan and checking the scan results.
Does Microsoft Defender for servers have a scanning option for removable drives?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for Servers includes a feature for scanning removable drives. This can be enabled through the settings under the ‘Removable drives scan’ section.
Can Microsoft Defender for Servers provide email notification alerts for detected threats?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for Servers can be configured to send email notifications upon detection of threats by setting up alert rules in the Azure Security Center.
What actions can Microsoft Defender for Servers perform when a threat is detected?
When a threat is detected, Microsoft Defender for Servers can be configured to take different actions, including cleaning, quarantining or removing the threat.
How do you check the version of Microsoft Defender for Servers installed on your server?
You can check the version of Microsoft Defender for Servers by navigating to the ‘About’ section within the application settings. This will provide information about the application version, engine version, and definition updates.
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