Tutorial / Cram Notes
In the context of Microsoft security solutions, data collection involves various data sources such as Microsoft 365 data, Azure resources, and on-premises environments. Here are the primary data sources you would typically configure:
- Azure Activity Logs
- Windows Event Logs
- Syslog from Linux machines
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Microsoft Defender for Identity
- Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS) logs
- Microsoft 365 protection logs (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive)
Configuring Data Collection in Azure
Azure Activity Logs
Azure Activity Logs provide insight into the operations performed on resources in your Azure subscriptions. To collect Activity Logs, you must:
- Navigate to the Azure Portal.
- Select “Monitor” and then “Activity log.”
- Enable diagnostic settings to route logs to a target like Azure Monitor Logs, a storage account, or an event hub.
Windows and Linux Event Logs
To collect Windows and Linux event logs:
- Within the Azure Portal, navigate to “Log Analytics workspaces.”
- Add the required machines to your workspace by installing the Log Analytics agent.
- Configure the Data settings by selecting which events to collect.
Here you can define custom settings for the type of data you want to collect based on your analysis requirements.
Configuring Data Collection for Microsoft Defender Solutions
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
For Microsoft Defender for Endpoint:
- Verify that your cybersecurity solution supports the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint data types.
- Make sure to set up Microsoft Defender for Endpoint across all eligible devices.
- In the Microsoft 365 Defender portal, set up the permissions to access necessary data for analysis.
Microsoft Defender for Identity
To configure Microsoft Defender for Identity:
- Download and install the Defender for Identity sensor on your on-premises domain controllers.
- Configure the sensors and services to track users, entity behavior, and activities within your network.
Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS)
- To configure MCAS logs, you need to connect applications via API connectors provided by MCAS.
- Go to the MCAS portal and navigate to “Investigate.”
- Add the relevant applications and configure the log collectors.
Integration with Azure Sentinel
Azure Sentinel provides a central place for collecting and analyzing security data from various sources. After configuring data collection sources, you can integrate them with Azure Sentinel.
- Navigate to Azure Sentinel.
- Select “Data connectors” from the menu.
- Connect each source, ensuring the connectors match the data types (Activity Logs, Defender for Endpoint, etc.).
Best Practices for Data Collection
- Minimize Data Noise: Only collect the necessary data that is relevant to your security monitoring purposes to avoid data overload and increase clarity.
- Permission Management: Ensure that only authorized users have access to configure data collection and that the principles of least privilege are applied.
- Regular Audits: Frequently audit data collection stakeholders and settings to guarantee they remain secure and accurate.
- Monitoring and Alerts: Configure alerts based on collected data to identify and respond to threats promptly.
Conclusion
Properly configuring data collection is key to effective security operations. When studying for the SC-200 exam or working in the field, it’s essential to grasp the configuration of various data sources within the Microsoft ecosystem and understand their integration with tools such as Azure Sentinel. This setup enables Security Operations Analysts to identify, investigate, and respond to cybersecurity threats accurately and efficiently.
Practice Test with Explanation
True/False: Azure Defender is capable of automatically collecting data from all Azure resources without any configuration needed.
- (A) True
- (B) False
Answer: B
Explanation: Azure Defender requires configuration to collect data from Azure resources. It is not automatic for all resources without initial setup.
Which of the following are required to collect data using Microsoft Defender for Endpoints? (Select all that apply)
- (A) Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA)
- (B) Device enrollment
- (C) Azure Log Analytics workspace
- (D) A valid SSL certificate
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: MMA, device enrollment, and a connected Azure Log Analytics workspace are necessary to collect data using Microsoft Defender for Endpoints.
True/False: Syslog is a supported method to send data to Azure Sentinel.
- (A) True
- (B) False
Answer: A
Explanation: Syslog is, indeed, one of the supported methods for sending data to Azure Sentinel from various sources, including Linux machines.
Which of the following Microsoft services can be used to collect security data from cloud applications? (Single select)
- (A) Azure Active Directory
- (B) Microsoft Defender for Identity
- (C) Microsoft Cloud App Security
- (D) Azure Information Protection
Answer: C
Explanation: Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS) is designed to collect and analyze security data from cloud applications.
True/False: You can collect data from Microsoft 365 using an Azure Log Analytics agent.
- (A) True
- (B) False
Answer: B
Explanation: Data from Microsoft 365 is typically collected through built-in APIs and integration, not through an Azure Log Analytics agent.
Which service is primarily used to configure data collection for Azure resources?
- (A) Azure Monitor
- (B) Azure Information Protection
- (C) Azure Security Center
- (D) Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Answer: D
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formerly Azure Security Center) is the primary tool for configuring data collection and security policy on Azure resources.
True/False: To analyze Office 365 audit logs in Azure Sentinel, you must first enable auditing in Office
- (A) True
- (B) False
Answer: A
Explanation: It’s necessary to enable auditing in Office 365 to collect and analyze its audit logs in Azure Sentinel.
What is required to enable data collection from a non-Azure Windows Server? (Single select)
- (A) Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA)
- (B) Microsoft Defender for Identity sensor
- (C) Azure Logic Apps
- (D) Windows Admin Center
Answer: A
Explanation: The Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA) is required to enable data collection from non-Azure Windows Servers to Log Analytics workspace.
True/False: Network Security Group (NSG) flow logs can be integrated with Azure Sentinel directly without any additional configuration.
- (A) True
- (B) False
Answer: B
Explanation: NSG flow logs must be configured to send data to a storage account, event hub, or Log Analytics workspace to integrate with Azure Sentinel.
When configuring Azure Monitor Workbooks, which data sources can you use? (Select all that apply)
- (A) Azure Activity Logs
- (B) Application Insights
- (C) Azure Sentinel
- (D) Azure Defender logs
Answer: A, B
Explanation: Azure Monitor Workbooks can use various data sources, including Azure Activity Logs and Application Insights, to create custom analytical reports. Azure Sentinel and Azure Defender logs are not data sources for Azure Monitor Workbooks.
True/False: Windows Firewall logs can be directly sent to Azure Monitor.
- (A) True
- (B) False
Answer: B
Explanation: Windows Firewall logs need to be ingested into an Azure Log Analytics workspace using agents like the MMA before they can be used with Azure Monitor.
In order to collect security data with Microsoft Defender for Identity, which of the following components need to be deployed? (Select all that apply)
- (A) Defender for Identity sensor
- (B) Defender for Identity Cloud Connector
- (C) Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA)
- (D) A Log Analytics workspace
Answer: A, B
Explanation: Microsoft Defender for Identity requires the deployment of a Defender for Identity sensor for on-premises Active Directory and optionally a Defender for Identity Cloud Connector for Azure Active Directory but does not employ the Microsoft Monitoring Agent or a Log Analytics workspace directly.
Interview Questions
What is data collection in Azure Security Center?
Data collection refers to the process of gathering security-related data and events from various sources for analysis and threat detection.
What are the data sources that can be collected in Azure Security Center?
Azure Security Center can collect data from Azure resources, partner solutions, and other third-party solutions that support common logging formats.
What is the purpose of integrating partner solutions in Azure Security Center?
Partner solutions help to extend the data collection capabilities of Azure Security Center and provide greater visibility into security-related events across multiple platforms.
How can you enable data collection from a partner solution?
To enable data collection from a partner solution, you need to install and configure the solution in your environment and then configure the integration in Azure Security Center.
What are the steps to configure a data collection rule in Azure Security Center?
The steps to configure a data collection rule in Azure Security Center are select the data source, specify the collection settings, specify the log analytics workspace, and configure any additional settings as needed.
What is the purpose of specifying a log analytics workspace for data collection?
The log analytics workspace is where the collected data is stored for analysis and reporting in Azure Security Center.
What are the benefits of using the Azure Monitor Agent for data collection?
The Azure Monitor Agent can collect a wide range of security-related data from both Azure and non-Azure resources and provides more advanced monitoring and alerting capabilities.
How can you configure data collection for an Azure resource group?
To configure data collection for an Azure resource group, you need to select the resource group in Azure Security Center and then enable the data collection options for each data source.
What are the prerequisites for configuring data collection from an AWS account?
To configure data collection from an AWS account, you need to have an active AWS account with the required permissions, a Log Analytics workspace, and the AWS connector installed and configured.
How can you view the data collected from a specific data source in Azure Security Center?
To view the data collected from a specific data source, you can use the Query tool in Azure Security Center to search the Log Analytics workspace for events and data related to that source.
I found the section on configuring Azure Sentinel data connectors very insightful.
How crucial is it to set up Data Connectors for the SC-200 exam?
Can someone explain the difference between Syslog and CEF connectors?
How often should we monitor the health status of our data connectors?
The playbook section really confused me. Any advice?
I appreciate the blog post, it clarified many doubts.
Some content seems outdated. Does anyone have the latest links for configuring MCAS?
Why is it important to understand KQL for this exam?