Nikita_Bajaj explains how Azure Migrate’s Insights feature empowers organizations to identify and manage security risks as part of cloud migration, highlighting practical steps for a secure transition.

Assess Security Risks with Insights in Azure Migrate

Why Security Matters in Migration

Migrating workloads to Azure is not just about speed and cost efficiency—it requires a secure foundation. Security considerations can be overlooked as migration tasks and deadlines take center stage. By prioritizing security in your migration strategy, you can prevent costly surprises, ensure compliance, and strengthen your organization’s risk posture.

Introducing Insights (Preview) in Azure Migrate

Azure Migrate’s Security Insights offers a dashboard that helps you identify security risks in your datacenter before and during migration. With these insights, you can:

  • Locate Windows and Linux servers running end-of-support operating systems or software, and identify machines with pending updates for upgrade planning.
  • Detect vulnerabilities in installed software via integration with the National Vulnerability Database (NVD).
  • Find unprotected servers that lack essential security or patch management software (such as antivirus, SIEM, IAM, etc.).
  • Review multiple security solutions in use and plan consolidation with services like Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Azure Update Manager.

How Insights Are Derived

Azure Migrate uses software inventory collected via the Azure Migrate appliance discovery process. By providing guest credentials, information about installed software, OS configuration, and updates is gathered for analysis. Key characteristics:

  • No additional agents or deep scans: Security insights are derived from data already collected during quick discovery.
  • Cross-referenced with vulnerability and support lifecycle databases: Identifies real risk factors in your environment.

Analyses Performed

  • End-of-Support Software: Matches discovered software versions against endoflife.date to flag unsupported components.
  • Vulnerability Checks: Maps installed software/OS against the NVD and evaluates risks based on CVSS scores.
  • Pending Updates: Detects incomplete patching via Windows Update metadata and Linux package managers.
  • Missing Security Software: Identifies servers missing critical security tools like antivirus or patch management software. Highlights gaps and suggests using Microsoft security services for remediation.

Note: Security Insights is intended to guide and highlight potential risks, not to replace specialized security tools. For comprehensive protection, use Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Azure Update Manager.

Getting Started

Summary

By leveraging Security Insights during your migration planning, you lay a stronger, more secure groundwork for your Azure journey. Early risk identification allows for proactive upgrades, vulnerability mitigation, and consolidation onto robust Microsoft security services.

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