Cybersecurity Solutions for Remote Work Environments

In this blog article, we will demonstrate how to implement Cybersecurity Solutions for Remote Work Environments using Azure.

In Azure, we have the capability to implement a variety of solutions, which include:

• Azure Active Directory (AAD): AAD provides identity and access management, ensuring that only authorized users can access your systems.

• Azure Security Center: Offers unified security management and advanced threat protection across hybrid cloud workloads.

• Azure Sentinel: A scalable, cloud-native SIEM and SOAR system that delivers intelligent security analytics across your enterprise.

ARM Template for Azure AD Application and Service Principal

Implementing Basic Azure AD (Active Directory) Authentication using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates involves a few steps. ARM templates are a powerful way to automate the deployment of Azure resources. Below is an example demonstrating how to set up a basic Azure AD environment using an ARM template.

This example will focus on creating a simple Azure AD application and service principal, which are essential for implementing Azure AD authentication.

First, let’s define an ARM template to create an Azure AD application and a corresponding service principal.

Azure AD Application and Service Principal:

{
    "$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
    "contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
    "resources": [
        {
            "type": "Microsoft.Resources/deploymentScripts",
            "apiVersion": "2020-10-01",
            "name": "createAzureADApp",
            "location": "[resourceGroup().location]",
            "kind": "AzureCLI",
            "properties": {
                "azCliVersion": "2.0.80",
                "scriptContent": "az ad app create --display-name \"MyAzureADApp\" --oauth2-allow-implicit-flow true --reply-urls \"https://myapp.com/auth\" --query \"appId\"",
                "timeout": "PT30M",
                "cleanupPreference": "OnSuccess",
                "retentionInterval": "P1D"
            }
        },
        {
            "type": "Microsoft.Resources/deploymentScripts",
            "apiVersion": "2020-10-01",
            "name": "createServicePrincipal",
            "location": "[resourceGroup().location]",
            "kind": "AzureCLI",
            "properties": {
                "azCliVersion": "2.0.80",
                "scriptContent": "az ad sp create --id \"[list('Microsoft.Resources/deploymentScripts', '2020-10-01').createAzureADApp.outputs.result]\"",
                "timeout": "PT30M",
                "cleanupPreference": "OnSuccess",
                "retentionInterval": "P1D",
                "dependsOn": [
                    "createAzureADApp"
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "outputs": {
        "appId": {
            "type": "string",
            "value": "[list('Microsoft.Resources/deploymentScripts', '2020-10-01').createAzureADApp.outputs.result]"
        }
    }
}

• Deployment Scripts: The ARM template uses the Microsoft.Resources/deploymentScripts resource to execute Azure CLI commands. This is a way to perform actions like creating Azure AD objects which are not directly supported as resources in ARM templates.
• Azure AD Application: The first script (createAzureADApp) creates an Azure AD application. You can customize the display-name, reply-urls, and other properties as per your requirements.
• Service Principal: The second script (createServicePrincipal) creates a service principal for the Azure AD application. The dependsOn property ensures that the service principal is created after the Azure AD application.

Deploying the ARM Template:

To deploy this template, you can use the Azure Portal, Azure CLI, or PowerShell. Keep in mind that executing Azure CLI scripts in deployment scripts requires specific permissions and may need a service principal with adequate rights.

At GDS Consulting Services, we can help with your needs in infrastructure solutions. For more information feel free to contact us or visit our blog.