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By default, Azure Storage encrypts your data before persisting it to the cloud, and decrypts the data before retrieval. The encryption and decryption are transparent to the user and happen seamlessly. Azure uses AES-256 encryption, which is one of the strongest block ciphers available.
For blobs, files, tables, and queues:
For Azure managed disks:
If you choose to manage your own keys for encryption (which is often a requirement for compliance), here’s how you can configure it:
For customer-managed keys, you first need to create a Key Vault in Azure and generate or import your encryption key.
Set up the Key Vault access policy to grant permissions to Azure Storage to use the keys.
Link your storage account or managed disk to the Key Vault containing the key you want to use for encryption.
Here’s a table summarizing the differences between platform-managed and customer-managed keys:
Key Management Type | Description | Benefits |
---|---|---|
Platform-Managed Keys (PMK) | Microsoft manages the encryption keys. Available by default. No additional configuration necessary. | Simplicity, no overhead for key management |
Customer-Managed Keys (CMK) | The customer manages the encryption keys using Azure Key Vault. Requires customer configuration. | Greater control and flexibility over key management and rotation |
In addition to encryption at rest, data in transit should be secured as well. Azure uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) to protect data when it’s being transmitted from point to point.
It’s crucial to regularly monitor and audit the encryption status of storage resources.
When using encryption, make sure to consider your backup and disaster recovery processes.
Configuring storage encryption is a critical step for securing your data in Azure. While encryption is enabled by default, opting for customer-managed keys can offer additional control over your data security posture. Regular monitoring and compliance checks will ensure that encryption continues to protect your storage resources against threats. Remember to also secure data in transit and consider the impact of encryption on your backup and disaster recovery processes.
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) for data at rest is enabled by default for all new and existing Azure Blob and File storage, helping to protect and secure your data.
Answer: C) Azure Service Bus
Explanation: Azure Service Bus supports encryption of data in transit, ensuring that data is secure when it is sent between applications or services.
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Azure Disk Encryption leverages BitLocker encryption technology for Windows virtual machines and DM-Crypt feature for Linux virtual machines to help protect and safeguard your data to meet your organizational security and compliance commitments.
Answer: B) Blobs, files, queues, and tables
Explanation: Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) is capable of encrypting blobs, files, queues, and table data at rest.
Answer: B) No, it is permanently enabled.
Explanation: Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) for data at rest cannot be disabled. It is enabled by default and cannot be turned off.
Answer: A) An Azure Key Vault
Explanation: Azure Disk Encryption requires an Azure Key Vault to control and manage disk encryption keys and secrets.
Answer: B) AES-256
Explanation: Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) uses the AES-256 encryption standard, which is one of the strongest block ciphers available, to encrypt data at rest.
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Azure offers the flexibility to use your own encryption keys managed in Azure Key Vault for Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE).
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Azure VMs do not need to be deallocated or generalized in order to apply Azure Disk Encryption. Encryption can be applied to running VMs without those steps.
Answer: B) It provides a central repository for storing keys.
Explanation: Azure Key Vault provides a safe and central repository to safeguard and control cryptographic keys and secrets used by cloud apps and services.
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Azure Disk Encryption is an independent feature and does not require Azure Backup integration to encrypt VM disks. Azure Backup can, however, be used to protect the encrypted VMs.
Answer: A) and D)
Explanation: Server-side encryption with customer-managed keys gives customers full control over the encryption keys, including key lifecycle management and compliance with specific regulatory requirements that mandate customer control of encryption keys.
Storage Service Encryption is a feature in Azure Storage that automatically encrypts data before it is stored and decrypts data when it is retrieved.
SSE is supported by all general-purpose v2 and Blob storage accounts.
SSE encrypts the data before it leaves the client and decrypts it after it arrives at the destination, effectively protecting the data in transit.
SSE encrypts the data before it is stored and decrypts it when it is retrieved, effectively protecting the data at rest.
The two types of SSE offered by Azure Storage are SSE with Microsoft-managed keys and SSE with customer-managed keys.
SSE with Microsoft-managed keys uses encryption keys that are managed by Microsoft and are automatically rotated every few months, while SSE with customer-managed keys allows you to use your own encryption keys, which you manage and control.
SSE is enabled by default on all general-purpose v2 and Blob storage accounts. If you want to disable it, you can do so through the Azure portal, Azure CLI, or Azure PowerShell.
Yes, SSE can be disabled for a specific blob container or file share within a storage account.
To configure SSE with customer-managed keys, you need to create an Azure Key Vault, create an encryption key in the Key Vault, and then enable SSE with customer-managed keys on your storage account and specify the Key Vault and encryption key.
Yes, SSE with customer-managed keys can be used in conjunction with Azure AD authentication to provide an extra layer of security.
No, SSE with customer-managed keys is only supported on general-purpose v2 and BlockBlob storage accounts.
SSE may affect the performance of Azure Storage to some extent, depending on the size and type of the data being encrypted.
You can monitor the encryption status of your storage account using Azure Monitor, Azure Storage analytics, and the Azure Storage Explorer.
No, encryption cannot be disabled for a specific file or blob. It is either enabled or disabled for the entire storage account.
If SSE is disabled for a storage account, any new data that is uploaded to the account will not be encrypted, but the existing data will remain encrypted until it is deleted or overwritten.
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