AZ-204 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure Exam

Configure Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a protocol for encrypting network connections, making sure that data between clients and an Azure App Service is confidential and tamper-resistant. Azure App Service supports HTTPS by default, and you can manage which TLS versions and ciphers your app uses. Keeping your app on the latest TLS version is critical for both security and compliance. You can apply these settings directly in the Azure portal or through Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates.

To force all traffic over TLS, set HTTPS Only to on in the portal or ARM template. Then, under TLS/SSL settings, choose to enforce TLS 1.2 or later by disabling older versions. This ensures that no client can connect using outdated, vulnerable protocols. By requiring only modern TLS, you reduce the risk of attacks that target older encryption methods.

In an App Service Environment (ASE), you have centralized control over TLS versions for all your apps. Use the clusterSettings property in an ARM template to disable TLS 1.0 and 1.1 across the entire environment. For example, add this entry to your JSON:

• name: DisableTls1.0
• value: "1"
  This will globally disable both TLS 1.0 and 1.1 for front-end connections, ensuring a uniform security baseline.

You can also strengthen your setup by customizing the cipher suite order in ASE. Under FrontEndSSLCipherSuiteOrder, list your preferred ciphers, such as:

• TLS_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
• TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256
• TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
• TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256
  Make sure TLS 1.3 ciphers appear first to take advantage of the most secure options. Misconfiguration here can interrupt all TLS traffic, so double-check your list before deploying.

After making changes, always validate your configuration. Use tools like SSL Labs or online TLS scanners to test which protocols and ciphers your app accepts. Regular reviews and updates will help you stay aligned with industry best practices and maintain compliance over time.

Conclusion

In this section, you learned how to configure Transport Layer Security (TLS) for Azure App Services and App Service Environments. You saw how to require HTTPS only, enforce modern TLS versions, and disable outdated protocols. You also discovered how to adjust the cipher suite order to prioritize the strongest ciphers. Finally, you understood the importance of validating your settings with external tools and keeping them up to date for ongoing security and compliance.