AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam

Analyze Inbound and Outbound Security Rules

Network Security Groups (NSGs) in Azure play a vital role in managing and securing network traffic. They consist of security rules that help control inbound and outbound traffic to and from Azure resources. It's crucial to understand how to configure and assess these rules to ensure secure access to virtual networks and compliance with security standards.

Inbound Security Rules

Inbound security rules are essential for controlling the traffic allowed into your Azure resources. To create an inbound rule, navigate to your NSG in the Azure portal and select Inbound security rules. Then, click + Add to enter the necessary details for the new rule. Key settings include:

• Source: Choose Any to allow traffic from any source.
• Source port ranges: Enter * for all ports.
• Destination: Set to IP Addresses for specific target resources.
• Destination IP addresses/CIDR ranges: Define the range of your virtual network subnet.
• Service: Select Custom to specify custom services.
• Destination port ranges: Enter ports like 22, 3389 for SSH and RDP access.
• Protocol: Select Any to cover all protocols.
• Action: Set to Allow to permit traffic.
• Priority: Use a lower number like 1000 to ensure the rule processes before others such as Deny rules.
• Name: Label as AllowRdpSshForLabs or similar for clarity.

Associating Subnets with NSGs

After creating an inbound security rule, it's important to associate the NSG with the virtual network subnet. This step applies the traffic rules effectively. To do this, you should:

1. Select Subnets within your NSG.
2. Click on + Associate to start the process.
3. Choose your specific virtual network and subnet.
4. Confirm by selecting OK to finalize the association.

Outbound Security Rules

Outbound security rules govern the traffic that leaves your Azure resources. Like inbound rules, they can be set to allow or deny traffic based on specific criteria. Important settings include:

• Destination: Define target IP addresses or CIDR ranges for outbound traffic.
• Destination port ranges: Specify ports for traffic leaving your resources.
• Protocol: Select whether it’s TCP, UDP, or another option.
• Action: Choose between Allow or Deny based on the desired outcome.
• Priority: Assign a priority level that dictates the rule's processing order, similar to inbound rules.

Best Practices and Compliance

When dealing with security in NSGs, following best practices is key to ensuring compliance with various security policies. Important considerations include:

• Regularly reviewing and optimizing security rules for maximum efficiency.
• Keeping alignment with organizational security policies to prevent breaches.
• Utilizing web categories to simplify management while enhancing protection.
• Continuously evaluating the performance impact of security configurations to maintain balance.

In conclusion, understanding how to effectively analyze and configure inbound and outbound security rules in Network Security Groups is critical for maintaining a secure Azure environment. By adhering to best practices and ensuring compliance, you can proficiently manage network traffic and protect your resources against potential threats.