Microsoft Defender for SQL is a sophisticated, modern cloud security management platform that includes advanced threat protection (ATP). It employs both machine learning and behavioral algorithms to identify and neutralize potential security risks associated with your SQL database environment. This guide will take you through the steps to properly configure Microsoft Defender for SQL to administer Azure SQL solutions.
Pre-Requisites
To use Microsoft Defender for SQL, you need to ensure the following pre-requisites are met:
- The database server should be either an Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database, SQL Server on Azure VM, or SQL Server on a machine
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint integrated with Azure Security Center.
- A registered subscription to Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
- Proper permission to configure Microsoft Defender for SQL.
Configure Microsoft Defender for SQL
Here are the steps to configure Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Navigate to Azure Security Center: Log in to the Azure Portal, then go to the Azure Security Center.
- Activate Defender Plans: In the Security Center, go to the Pricing & Settings blade. Then, choose your desired subscription. In the Defender Plans tab, ensure the Defender for SQL plan is active.
- Enable SQL Auditing & Threat Detection: Go back to the Security Center dashboard and navigate to the “SQL Servers.” Select the SQL server you want to configure and scroll down to the “Advanced Data Security” section. From here, turn on the Advanced Data Security option.
You can now configure the settings for Data Discovery & Classification, Vulnerability Assessment, and Advanced Threat Protection.
Example of enabling Advanced Data Security:
New-AzSqlServerAdvancedThreatProtectionSetting `
-ResourceGroupName "myResourceGroup" `
-ServerName "myserver" `
-EmailAddresses "user1@contoso.com", "user2@contoso.com" `
-EmailAdmins $True `
-StorageAccountName "mystorageaccount" `
-ExpirationDate "2/4/2023"
A Look at Microsoft Defender for SQL Features
- Vulnerability Assessment: This feature provides an easy-to-use tool that can discover, track, and help remediate potential database vulnerabilities.
- Data Discovery & Classification: Comes packed with a set of advanced services and features that give visibility into your data classification state, along with the augmenting capabilities to detect and classify the data within your databases.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Delivers an array of detection capabilities unified under one solution. It is aimed at alerting you about suspicious database activities and potential vulnerabilities.
- Threat and Vulnerability Management: It gives the ability to discover, prioritize, and remediate potential vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
It is important to remember that Microsoft Defender for SQL is a unified security solution that offers comprehensive coverage to ensure your SQL environment’s security. However, users should not solely rely on it but adopt a comprehensive security posture covering all aspects of the IT environment.
Studying Microsoft Defender for SQL configuration and functioning is essential for the DP-300 exam for Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions. It gives you the knowledge to effectively monitor and respond to threats in Azure SQL solutions, highlighting your abilities as a competent Azure SQL administrator.
Practice Test
True or False: Microsoft Defender for SQL is an in-built solution to protect SQL servers in Azure.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for SQL is a capability included in Azure Defender which provides advanced threat protection to SQL servers across machines.
What does Microsoft Defender for SQL protect?
- A. SQL Server on-premises
- B. SQL Server in Azure VM
- C. Azure SQL Database
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above.
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for SQL provides advanced threat protection for SQL Server on-premises, SQL Server running in an Azure VM, and Azure SQL Database.
True or False: Microsoft Defender for SQL automatically generates security alerts and sends them to your email.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Once Microsoft Defender for SQL is enabled and configured, it constantly monitors your databases for threats and sends security alerts to your configured email.
Which of the following security alerts does Microsoft Defender for SQL generate?
- A. SQL Injection
- B. Vulnerability Assessment
- C. Data Sensitivity Classification
- D. A and B
- E. All of the above
Answer: D. A and B.
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for SQL generates security alerts for SQL Injection and Vulnerability Assessment, while Data Sensitivity Classification is a feature of Azure SQL Database’s Advanced Data Security.
True or False: Azure Defender for SQL can automatically remediate threats detected.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: While Azure Defender for SQL can detect and alert on potential threats, automatic remediation is not possible. It is up to the administrators to take appropriate action based on these alerts.
What type of analysis does Microsoft Defender for SQL do?
- A. Static Analysis
- B. Dynamic Analysis
- C. Both A and B
- D. Neither A nor B
Answer: C. Both A and B.
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for SQL uses both static and dynamic analysis to detect unusual behavior and potentially harmful actions.
True or False: Microsoft Defender for SQL provides threat intelligence reports.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for SQL does provide threat intelligence reports, which includes summaries of detected threats and recommended actions.
Does Microsoft Defender for SQL require any agent installations?
- A. Yes
- B. No
Answer: B. No.
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for SQL is a cloud-native service, which does not require any agent installations.
True or False: Microsoft Defender for SQL has an additional cost beyond the basic Azure subscription.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for SQL is not included in the basic Azure subscription and hence comes with an additional cost.
Which of the following is NOT a configuration option in Microsoft Defender for SQL?
- A. Email notifications
- B. Storage account selections
- C. SIEM export
- D. Automatic threat remediation.
Answer: D. Automatic threat remediation.
Explanation: Though Microsoft Defender for SQL allows you to configure email notifications, storage account selections, and SIEM export, it does not offer automatic threat remediation.
Interview Questions
What is Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Microsoft Defender for SQL is a security service that’s designed to provide advanced, real-time defenses against malicious activities and sophisticated threats to SQL servers on-premises, Azure SQL databases, and servers on IaaS.
How does Microsoft Defender for SQL help mitigate threats ?
Microsoft Defender for SQL implements sophisticated techniques such as behavioral analytics and machine learning to detect unusual activities that could indicate threats. It also provides actionable insights on how to investigate and mitigate potential threats.
Where do you configure Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Microsoft Defender for SQL is configured in the Azure Security Center.
What are some major features of Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Major features of Microsoft Defender for SQL include vulnerability assessment and advanced threat detection, data classification & protection, unified policy management, SQL security assessment, and secure score for SQL.
Can you configure Microsoft Defender for SQL for on-premises SQL servers?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for SQL can be configured for on-premises SQL servers.
What is the prerequisite for deploying Defender for SQL on virtual machines?
Azure Defender for servers needs to be enabled on the subscription where your SQL machines are located to deploy Defender for SQL on virtual machines.
What are SQL Vulnerability Assessments?
SQL Vulnerability Assessments are a part of Defender for SQL that provides you with the ability to discover, track, and remediate potential database vulnerabilities.
How is the “Secure Score” on Microsoft Defender for SQL calculated?
The “Secure Score” on Microsoft Defender for SQL is based on a summary of the security state of the SQL servers and includes indicators such as the number of discovered vulnerabilities and the threat detection level.
Is it possible to integrate Microsoft Defender for SQL with Azure Sentinel?
Yes, it is possible. Integration of Microsoft Defender for SQL with Azure Sentinel allows better investigation and response to SQL threats across the entire estate.
Can Microsoft Defender for SQL detect data exfiltration activities?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for SQL can detect a variety of SQL injection techniques, including those that may lead to data exfiltration activities.
How can you set Alerting and email notifications for potential threats in Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Alerting and email notifications can be set up from the “Security Alerts” section in the Azure Security Center.
What types of databases can be protected with Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Microsoft Defender for SQL can protect SQL Server databases, Azure SQL databases, Data Warehouse, and Synapse Analytics.
How is usage billed for Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Usage of Microsoft Defender for SQL is billed on a pay-as-you-go model, as per the number of protected SQL servers.
How can the “Advanced Threat Protection” of Microsoft Defender for SQL be enabled?
The “Advanced Threat Protection” of Microsoft Defender for SQL can be enabled under the “Advanced features” sections of each protected SQL server instance.
What are the modes available to manage the security policy in Microsoft Defender for SQL?
The two modes available to manage the security policy in Microsoft Defender for SQL are the “Managed” mode, which is controlled by Microsoft, and the “Customized” mode, which can be configured according to user preference.
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