Multi-cloud connections (AWS, GCP) in Defender for Cloud
5 minutes
5 Questions
Multi-cloud connections in Microsoft Defender for Cloud enable organizations to extend their security monitoring and protection capabilities beyond Azure to include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments. This unified approach provides a single pane of glass for mana…Multi-cloud connections in Microsoft Defender for Cloud enable organizations to extend their security monitoring and protection capabilities beyond Azure to include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments. This unified approach provides a single pane of glass for managing security across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures.
For AWS integration, Defender for Cloud uses the Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP) capabilities. The connection is established through AWS CloudFormation templates or manual configuration using AWS IAM roles. Once connected, Defender for Cloud can assess AWS resources against security benchmarks, detect misconfigurations, and provide recommendations aligned with the AWS Foundational Security Best Practices standard.
GCP integration follows a similar pattern, utilizing GCP service accounts and workload identity federation. Defender for Cloud evaluates GCP resources against the GCP CIS benchmark and provides security recommendations specific to Google Cloud services like Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and Kubernetes Engine.
Key benefits of multi-cloud connections include centralized security management where security teams can view alerts, recommendations, and compliance status across all cloud providers from the Azure portal. The Secure Score feature aggregates findings from all connected environments, providing a holistic view of organizational security posture.
To configure these connections, navigate to Environment Settings in Defender for Cloud and add a new environment for either AWS or GCP. The setup process requires appropriate permissions in the target cloud platform and typically involves deploying connectors that facilitate secure communication between the platforms.
Defender for Cloud supports both agentless scanning and agent-based protection for multi-cloud workloads. The Azure Arc integration enables extending Azure management capabilities to servers running in AWS or GCP, allowing for consistent policy enforcement and monitoring across all environments. This comprehensive approach helps organizations maintain security compliance regardless of where their workloads reside.
Multi-cloud Connections (AWS, GCP) in Defender for Cloud
Why Multi-cloud Connections Matter
In today's enterprise environments, organizations rarely rely on a single cloud provider. Multi-cloud strategies are common, combining Azure with AWS and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to leverage the best services from each provider. Microsoft Defender for Cloud extends security coverage beyond Azure to provide a unified security posture management solution across all major cloud platforms.
What Are Multi-cloud Connections?
Multi-cloud connections in Defender for Cloud allow you to onboard and monitor AWS and GCP accounts alongside your Azure subscriptions. This enables: - Centralized security posture management - Unified security recommendations across clouds - Cross-cloud threat detection - Consolidated compliance assessments - Single pane of glass for security operations
How Multi-cloud Connections Work
For AWS: 1. Defender for Cloud uses AWS CloudFormation templates to deploy necessary resources in your AWS account 2. An OIDC (OpenID Connect) connector establishes trust between Azure and AWS 3. AWS Security Hub and AWS Config are utilized for security assessments 4. The connector creates IAM roles with required permissions for Defender for Cloud to read security data
For GCP: 1. A GCP connector is created using workload identity federation 2. Service accounts are configured with appropriate permissions 3. GCP Security Command Center integration provides security findings 4. Organization-level or project-level connections can be established
Configuration Steps Overview
1. Navigate to Environment settings in Defender for Cloud 2. Select Add environment and choose AWS or GCP 3. Provide account/project details 4. Configure the authentication method 5. Select which Defender plans to enable 6. Deploy the required resources in the target cloud
Key Features for Multi-cloud
- CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management): Free tier providing security recommendations - CWP (Cloud Workload Protection): Advanced threat protection for servers, containers, and databases - Regulatory compliance: Assess AWS and GCP resources against standards like CIS benchmarks - Attack path analysis: Identify potential attack vectors across cloud environments
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Multi-cloud Connections
Key Points to Remember:
1. Authentication Methods: AWS uses CloudFormation with OIDC, while GCP uses workload identity federation with service accounts
2. Prerequisites: You need Owner or Contributor permissions on the Azure subscription and administrative access to the AWS/GCP accounts being connected
3. Native Connectors: The current method uses native cloud connectors, which replaced the classic connector approach
4. Scope Options: AWS can connect at the management account or individual account level; GCP can connect at organization or project level
5. Auto-provisioning: Defender for Cloud can automatically provision the Azure Arc agent on AWS EC2 and GCP Compute instances for enhanced protection
6. Defender Plans: CSPM is available for free; CWP plans (Servers, Containers, Databases) require additional licensing
Common Exam Scenarios:
- Questions about connecting AWS accounts will reference CloudFormation templates and IAM roles - Questions about GCP will mention service accounts and workload identity - Look for answers involving Environment settings as the starting point for adding cloud connections - Remember that multi-cloud connections provide agentless scanning capabilities alongside agent-based protection
Watch Out For:
- Distinguish between organization-level and account/project-level connections - Understand that some advanced features require Defender plans to be enabled - Know that Azure Arc is used for extending Azure management to non-Azure resources