As more and more organizations shift their workloads to the cloud, there has been a rising need for cloud security. Azure Virtual Machines (VMs), as a popular infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform in the cloud, has also become a target for cyber-attacks. Therefore, security should be a top priority when deploying Azure VMs. In this article, we will discuss some of the best practices for securing Azure Virtual Machines.

1. Implement Strong Password Policies
It is essential to have strong password policies in an organization, where users must use complex passwords that are changed regularly. This enables a secure connection to the virtual machines, reducing the chance of unauthorized access. Azure VMs provide an option for enabling a password policy that will require users to set strong passwords for their accounts.

2. Apply Updated Security Patches
One of the critical factors in ensuring the security of Azure VMs is installing the latest security patches. These patches address any known vulnerabilities in the system, preventing any possible breaches. Azure provides an option for applying patches automatically, which reduces the burden of manual patching.

3. Use Endpoint Protection
Endpoint protection is a tool designed to protect devices such as desktops and laptops against cyber threats. Having endpoint protection installed on Azure VMs provides increased security against malware threats such as viruses, Trojans, and spyware. Microsoft Azure has integrated endpoint protection through its Azure Security Center.

4. Use Network Security Groups (NSGs)
Network Security Groups (NSGs) are Azure’s built-in feature that provides network traffic filtering rules to block traffic to and from Azure resources. This way, you can ensure that resources are accessible only from authorized sources. NSGs allow or block traffic based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols.

5. Enable Just-In-Time (JIT) Access
It is essential to lock down virtual machines access to mitigate risks of cyber-attacks. Enabling Just-In-Time (JIT) access provides an additional control that will help prevent unauthorized access to virtual machines. This works by allowing users to request access for a specific period, which reduces the attack surface, preventing unauthorized access.

6. Use an Azure Firewall
An Azure Firewall is another important feature that you can add to your Azure Virtual Machines environment. This works as an additional layer of protection that allows or blocks incoming and outgoing network traffic. Azure Firewall gives you more granular control over your organization’s network traffic, which increases the security of the infrastructure.

7. Enable Azure Security Center
Azure Security Center is a unified security management system offered by Microsoft to secure and monitor resources deployed in Azure. It provides valuable insights into security posture, threat protection, and vulnerability assessments of Azure VMs. Enabling it will provide security alerts and recommendations you can implement to increase the security of your organization.

In conclusion, protecting your Azure Virtual Machines is a shared responsibility between you, the Azure provider, and the users. Implementing these best practices will go a long way in ensuring the security of your organization’s virtual machines. By applying strong password policies, patching regularly, using endpoint protection, network security groups, just-in-time access, and an Azure firewall and enabling Azure Security Center makes your virtual machines more secure. By taking extra measures to safeguard your assets, you can stay ahead of attackers and keep your infrastructure secure.