Configure Microsoft connectors for Azure resources
5 minutes
5 Questions
Microsoft Sentinel connectors for Azure resources enable security analysts to ingest and analyze data from various Azure services into their security operations center. Configuring these connectors is essential for comprehensive threat detection and response across your Azure environment.
To confi…Microsoft Sentinel connectors for Azure resources enable security analysts to ingest and analyze data from various Azure services into their security operations center. Configuring these connectors is essential for comprehensive threat detection and response across your Azure environment.
To configure Microsoft connectors for Azure resources, navigate to Microsoft Sentinel in the Azure portal and select your workspace. Access the Data connectors page from the Configuration section. Here you will find numerous built-in connectors for Azure services including Azure Active Directory, Azure Activity, Azure Security Center, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Azure Key Vault.
For Azure Activity logs, select the connector and click Open connector page. You can then choose the subscriptions you want to monitor and click Connect. This streams all Azure administrative activities into Sentinel for analysis.
Azure Active Directory connector requires appropriate permissions to enable sign-in logs, audit logs, and provisioning logs. Configure this by selecting the log types you need and ensuring your account has Security Administrator or Global Administrator roles.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud connector allows streaming of security alerts from all subscriptions. Enable bi-directional sync to manage incidents across both platforms effectively. This requires Security Reader permissions on the subscriptions being connected.
For diagnostic settings-based connectors like Azure Key Vault or Azure Firewall, you must configure diagnostic settings on each resource to send logs to your Log Analytics workspace. This can be done through Azure Policy for consistent deployment across resources.
Best practices include enabling only necessary connectors to manage costs, regularly reviewing connector health status, and ensuring proper role-based access control is configured. Monitor the data ingestion through the Usage and estimated costs section to optimize your security data collection strategy while maintaining comprehensive visibility across your Azure environment.
Configure Microsoft Connectors for Azure Resources
Why It Is Important
Configuring Microsoft connectors for Azure resources is essential for Security Operations Analysts because it enables centralized visibility into security events across your entire Azure environment. These connectors allow Microsoft Sentinel to ingest logs, alerts, and telemetry data from various Azure services, creating a unified security monitoring platform. This integration is critical for threat detection, incident response, and maintaining compliance across cloud workloads.
What It Is
Microsoft connectors for Azure resources are pre-built integrations that facilitate data flow between Azure services and Microsoft Sentinel. These connectors include:
• Azure Activity connector - Ingests Azure subscription-level events including administrative operations and service health events • Microsoft Entra ID connector - Collects sign-in logs, audit logs, and provisioning logs • Azure Key Vault connector - Monitors access to secrets, keys, and certificates • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) connector - Provides container security insights • Microsoft Defender for Cloud connector - Streams security alerts and recommendations • Azure Firewall connector - Captures network traffic and threat intelligence data
How It Works
The configuration process follows these general steps:
1. Navigate to Microsoft Sentinel in the Azure portal 2. Select your workspace and go to Content hub or Data connectors 3. Search for the specific Azure connector you want to enable 4. Click Open connector page to view prerequisites and instructions 5. Grant necessary permissions (typically requires appropriate RBAC roles) 6. Enable diagnostic settings or toggle the connector status 7. Verify data ingestion in the Logs section
Most Microsoft connectors leverage Azure Policy or Diagnostic Settings to stream data to the Log Analytics workspace underlying Microsoft Sentinel. Some connectors require the installation of solutions from the Content hub before activation.
Key Configuration Requirements
• Permissions: You typically need Security Administrator or Contributor roles • Workspace: A Log Analytics workspace linked to Microsoft Sentinel • Diagnostic Settings: Must be configured on source resources for many connectors • Resource Provider Registration: Ensure microsoft.insights is registered
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Configure Microsoft Connectors for Azure Resources
• Know the prerequisites: Questions often test whether you understand the required roles and permissions for enabling specific connectors
• Understand connector types: Differentiate between connectors that use diagnostic settings versus those that use APIs or service-to-service connections
• Remember the Content hub: Many exam scenarios involve installing solutions from Content hub before connectors become available
• Focus on Azure Activity connector: This is frequently tested as it provides subscription-level auditing and is foundational for Azure security monitoring
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud integration: Know that this connector streams both alerts and recommendations, and understand bi-directional sync capabilities
• Data residency matters: Be aware that some connectors have regional limitations or data residency requirements
• Troubleshooting scenarios: Expect questions about why data might not appear, such as missing permissions, unregistered resource providers, or misconfigured diagnostic settings
• Cost implications: Some questions may reference ingestion costs and data volume considerations when enabling connectors
• Read scenarios carefully: Pay attention to which Azure service the question references, as each connector has unique configuration steps