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The defense in depth model is an approach to cybersecurity in which a series of defensive mechanisms are layered at various points throughout an information technology (IT) system. The intent of this stratified approach is to protect valuable data and information from unauthorized access or exploitation by ensuring that should one mechanism fail, another will subsequently prevent a breach.
The defense in depth model is built upon the principle of creating multiple layers of security controls and barriers throughout an IT infrastructure. It is akin to physical security strategies used to protect a castle or other high-value facilities in the past, where the defense would not rely on a single point of failure such as the main gate but would include a moat, walls, towers, and interior guards, each offering additional layers of security.
The model is typically broken down into several key areas, which can include but are not limited to:
The Microsoft Azure platform supports the defense in depth strategy across its services, which is critical knowledge for those preparing for the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam.
Security Layer | Azure Services |
---|---|
Physical security | Azure Data Center operations |
Network security | Azure Firewall, Network Security Groups |
Endpoint security | Azure Security Center (ASC) |
Application security | Azure Application Gateway WAF |
Data security | Azure Key Vault, Azure Information Protection |
Identity & access | Azure Active Directory |
Operational security | Azure Policy, Azure Monitor |
Understanding the defense in depth model is crucial for anyone planning to work with Azure services. On the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, candidates are tested on their knowledge of basic security principles and how they apply to the cloud. Knowledge of Azure’s support for defense in depth can help organizations and individuals design and implement more secure systems by utilizing the relevant Azure security features and best practices to create a robust, multi-layered security posture.
Defense in depth is a strategy that employs multiple layers of security to protect IT resources, not just a single outer layer.
D) User education
User education is essential for overall security but is not considered a distinct layer in the traditional defense in depth model which focuses on technical layers of security.
Defense in depth relies on multiple layers of security so that if one is breached, others still provide protection.
C) Both external and internal threats
Defense in depth aims at securing a system from all types of threats, including those originating both inside and outside an organization.
C) Perimeter security
Firewalls and network segmentation are part of perimeter security, aiming to protect the network’s borders.
Data encryption is an important layer of security within the defense in depth model as it protects data even if other layers are compromised.
A) True
Redundancy ensures that if one component fails, others can take over, which is a principle of defense in depth to avoid a single point of failure.
D) All of the above
Azure incorporates defense in depth through services like Azure Active Directory, multi-factor authentication, and threat detection.
Incident response is a crucial layer that deals with managing and responding to security breaches.
C) Azure Cosmos DB
Azure Cosmos DB is a database service, not specifically a defense in depth security feature, whereas the other options are security services.
The defense in depth security model is a layered approach to security that involves multiple lines of defense to protect against potential security threats.
The benefits of using a defense in depth model include increased protection against potential security threats, increased visibility into security events, and increased resilience in the event of a security breach.
The key components of a defense in depth model include physical security, network security, identity and access management, data protection, and incident response.
Physical security in the context of a defense in depth model involves securing physical assets such as servers, data centers, and other infrastructure components.
Network security in the context of a defense in depth model involves securing the network infrastructure to prevent unauthorized access, protect against attacks, and detect and respond to security threats.
Identity and access management in the context of a defense in depth model involves ensuring that users are who they claim to be, and that they have the appropriate level of access to resources and data.
Data protection in the context of a defense in depth model involves ensuring that data is encrypted, backed up, and stored securely, and that it can be restored in the event of a disaster or other security event.
Incident response in the context of a defense in depth model involves having a plan in place to detect and respond to security incidents, minimize the impact of a security breach, and recover from the event.
Microsoft Azure provides defense in depth for its cloud services by incorporating multiple layers of security controls, such as network security, identity and access management, and data protection, and by providing tools and services to help customers monitor and respond to security events.
Customers can use Azure security features such as Azure Security Center, Azure Active Directory, and Azure Key Vault to implement a defense in depth security model in the cloud. These features provide capabilities such as threat detection and response, identity and access management, and key management and encryption to help customers secure their Azure environments.
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