AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Technologies Exam

Network Access Control and Private Connectivity

Azure Key Vault network settings protect your cryptographic assets by enforcing network-level access restrictions. By configuring firewall rules, service endpoints, and private endpoints, you can limit exposure to only trusted sources. These controls fit into a broader security strategy that includes Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel for continuous monitoring. Proper network policies help keep your keys, secrets, and certificates secure and compliant.

Firewall rules let you define which IP addresses or CIDR ranges can reach your vault. The DefaultAction should be set to Deny so that only whitelisted sources are allowed. You can manage these rules in the Azure portal, CLI (az keyvault update --default-action Deny), or PowerShell (Update-AzKeyVaultNetworkRuleSet). This setup blocks unwanted traffic and ensures only approved networks access your secrets.

Virtual network service endpoints connect your Azure VNet directly to Key Vault over the Microsoft backbone. After enabling the Microsoft.KeyVault service endpoint on a subnet, you add a virtual network rule on the vault to bind that subnet. You can then disable public network access to enhance isolation. This method secures intra-Azure traffic and guards against internet-based threats.

Private endpoints use Azure Private Link to give your vault a private IP address inside your VNet. You create the endpoint in a delegated subnet with network policies turned off, then map it to the vault. DNS entries are automatically registered in a private DNS zone like privatelink.vaultcore.azure.net. This approach removes public internet exposure and offers the highest granularity in access control.

To confirm that your network settings work, enable diagnostic logs for Key Vault access events. Track NetworkAccessDenied and NetworkAccessGranted events in Azure Monitor or a private log store. You can integrate these logs with Microsoft Sentinel for advanced hunting and alerting. Adding Microsoft Defender for Key Vault helps you spot unusual patterns and respond quickly.

Conclusion

Configuring network settings for Azure Key Vault is essential for protecting sensitive keys and secrets. By using firewall rules, service endpoints, and private endpoints, you can tighten access controls and isolate your vault. Monitoring with diagnostic logs, Azure Monitor, and Microsoft Sentinel ensures continuous oversight. These best practices help maintain compliance and defend against unauthorized access.