The Azure cloud brings massive opportunities for technologies to advance. But it can also introduce numerous challenges. Cloud security is a concern for many enterprises, and Azure cloud security can be challenging to navigate.

However, there are some clear, bright spots within the cloud platform, which enterprises should consider when building their cloud strategy. Here is some information on the challenges your Azure cloud security faces and how it can be handled.

1. Not knowing where the data is and who has access

According to Statista, there was an 80 percent increase in health data breaches from 2017-2019. Therefore, one of the biggest concerns many companies face with cloud security is not knowing where their data resides and who can access it.

This challenge can amplify in Azure because of its distributive nature. With businesses hosting critical assets on shared servers, there is always the concern that unauthorized or malicious requests can be made against those services. Therefore, data breaches are a cloud security risk that you need to know. Here are a few potential solutions to this problem:

• Implement Azure Active Directory (AAD) logins for all your users so that you know what they are doing and where your data exists. It will help ensure that only the right people access your data.
• Implement API management tools so you can monitor API activity and ensure that requests are coming from the appropriate source and hitting the correct services.
• Consider using Azure Key Vault to protect keys and secrets if they need to be accessed for deployments or other tasks.

2. Using cloud resources can be complicated

In many cases, Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates are the most secure way to deploy resources into the cloud. These template files define what you want in a text-based format, and there are usually no ways for attackers to inject their code into the process.

Therefore, you leave your infrastructure open to vulnerabilities if you are not using ARM templates for deployments. It is best to ensure that all resource deployments are performed through this route to run improper code on Azure servers.

3. Managing cloud security with multiple subscriptions is complicated

One of the most confusing Azure cloud security factors is how you have to manage multiple subscriptions. A single organization will have various Azure subscriptions for different services and projects in many cases. It can create a lot of confusion when managing cloud security because each subscription might have very different roles and permissions associated with it.

To make data management more accessible, you can use Azure Active Directory (AAD) to provide a single sign-on experience for all your subscriptions. It will help you track who has access to which resources and make it easier to manage permissions.

4. Not having a clear cloud security strategy can be risky

Azure cloud security can be compromised when companies do not have a clear strategy for protecting their data. The most secure systems have solid policies and procedures, which means having a cloud security policy and knowing how to implement it properly.

To make things easier for your organization, consider setting up a service level agreement (SLA) with a third-party provider to ensure you have a set of best practices for cloud security in place. It can be beneficial if your organization is on a tight budget and can’t hire its staff to handle the cloud security challenges.

5. Azure security measures are not always well documented

One of the biggest challenges with Azure security is securing your data that is not always well documented. Microsoft has been making many improvements in this area, but finding information on specific topics can still be challenging.

If you are struggling with this challenge, consider joining an online community or subscribing to a blog that focuses on Azure security. It will help you stay up-to-date with the latest changes and developments in the area.

6. Not verifying cloud service providers can be risky

When working in the cloud, it is essential to ensure that the service providers you are using are reputable and verifiable. While most cloud providers will have a track record of delivering good service, this is not always the case. For example, some companies might hire coders in Eastern Europe or Asia to create fake accounts on Azure and other cloud platforms to sell the associated services.

It means that your data could be at risk if you are not careful about working with it. One method to resolve the risk is to use a third-party verification service to check the security posture of your providers. It will help you ensure that your data is safe and secure with the providers you’re using.

Thus, these are some challenges you might face when securing your data in Azure. By understanding these challenges and taking the appropriate steps to mitigate them, you can help keep your data safe and secure.