Overview
Cybersecurity Report: Strengthening Azure Cloud Security for Client Organization
Client Organization operates applications on Microsoft Azure Cloud, with environments across DEV, UAT, and PROD. The infrastructure includes AKS clusters, Azure Database for MySQL, Blob Storage, Redis Cache, and Application Gateway v2, supporting a Node.js frontend and Drupal backend. Additionally, the client uses Azure DevOps pipelines integrated with GitHub for CI/CD. This report outlines the current security posture, risks, and a governance-to-resolution roadmap, with emphasis on application security, high availability, and DevOps pipeline security.
Current Azure Infrastructure
- Azure Active Directory (AAD): Identity and access management.
- AKS: Managed Kubernetes clusters — DEV (2 nodes), UAT (4 nodes), PROD (8 nodes).
- Azure Blob Storage: For static content and backups.
- Azure Database for MySQL: Production-grade relational database.
- Azure Redis Cache: Session/caching services.
- Azure Application Gateway v2: Load balancing with TLS.
- Application Stack:
- Frontend: Node.js application
- Backend: Drupal CMS
- Azure DevOps Pipelines: CI/CD connected with GitHub repositories.
Cybersecurity Threat Landscape
- Identity Risks: AAD roles without MFA or conditional access.
- Kubernetes Risks: AKS misconfigurations, pod privilege escalation, weak RBAC.
- Data Risks: Blob containers with public access, weak MySQL security.
- Application Risks:
- Node.js: Supply-chain (npm) vulnerabilities, brute-force login attacks.
- Drupal: Patch delays, SQL inject, RCE vulnerabilities.
- CI/CD Risks: Compromised GitHub repo or DevOps pipeline leading to malicious deployments.
- HA Risks: Single-region deployment risk, lack of redundancy in DB/Redis.
Security Analysis
Identity (AAD)
Kubernetes (AKS)
CI/CD (Azure DevOps + GitHub)
Data (Blob, MySQL, Redis)
Application (Node.js + Drupal)
High Availability (HA)
Recommended Enhancements
- Enforce MFA + Conditional Access across AAD.
- Implement PIM for just-in-time privileged access.
- Apply RBAC & namespace isolation for Dev/UAT/Prod.
- Enforce pod security policies via Azure Policy.
- Integrate Defender for Containers (runtime + vulnerability scanning).
- Node.js: Use npm audit + GitHub Dependabot + Defender for DevOps scanning.
- Drupal: Automate updates via Composer in CI/CD.
- Restrict Drupal admin access by IP whitelist.
- Enable WAF tuned for CMS/Node APIs.
- Enforce Blob private endpoints and encryption.
- Enable Advanced Threat Protection for MySQL.
- Enforce TLS for Redis + private endpoints.
- Lock down GitHub repo with branch protections & signed commits.
- Integrate SAST (SonarQube/CodeQL) and DAST scans before deployments.
- Enable secret scanning in GitHub & Azure DevOps.
- Store pipeline secrets in Azure Key Vault.
- Apply approval gates for Prod deployments.
- Deploy AKS clusters in multi-zone configuration.
- Enable geo-redundant storage (GRS) for Blob.
- Configure MySQL geo-replication across regions.
- Enable Redis persistence with active-active replication.
- Add failover policies for App Gateway.
- Centralize telemetry in Microsoft Sentinel.
- Automate IP blocking/remediation with Logic Apps.
- Correlate application logs (Node/Drupal) with infra security events.
Governance & Compliance Alignment
– Zero Trust Architecture (Identity-first security).
– OWASP Top 10 for Node.js & Drupal.
– NIST CSF for cloud operations.
– ISO 27001 governance and continuous improvement.
Governance to Resolution – Prioritization
Critical (1–2 months)
– Enforce MFA & Conditional Access in AAD.
– Lock down GitHub + Azure DevOps secrets.
– Enable WAF in blocking mode for App Gateway.
– Automate Drupal patching + Node.js dependency scans.
– Disable Blob public access & enforce encryption.
Medium (3–6 months)
– Integrate Defender for Containers (AKS security).
– Enable Advanced Threat Protection for MySQL.
– Enforce Redis private endpoints + TLS.
– Sentinel integration with CI/CD + app logs.
– HA upgrade for Blob (GRS) and MySQL replication.
Long-Term (6–12 months)
– Multi-region AKS deployment with failover.
– Automate remediation workflows via Logic Apps.
– Build full compliance dashboard in Azure Policy.
– Quarterly penetration testing and pipeline red-team simulations.
Conclusion
By addressing identity, application, data, CI/CD, and HA security, Client Organization can implement a defense-in-depth strategy aligned with zero-trust principles.
The governance-to-resolution roadmap ensures critical risks are mitigated first, while long-term resilience and compliance are achieved via continuous monitoring and automation.
