AZ-104 Exam EP 17: Azure Firewall

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to Azure Firewall, a critical component for securing cloud resources in Microsoft Azure. Understanding how to implement and manage Azure Firewall is essential for Azure Administrators, especially when preparing for the AZ-104 exam. This guide will walk you through the key concepts, implementation steps, and best practices for using Azure Firewall effectively.

Step 1: Understand Azure Firewall

• Definition: Azure Firewall is a cloud-native network security service that protects Azure Virtual Network resources.
• Key Features:
  • Built-in high availability and scalability.
  • Application and network-level filtering rules.
  • Threat intelligence-based filtering.

Step 2: Implementing Azure Firewall

• Create an Azure Firewall Instance:

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal.
  2. In the left sidebar, select "Create a resource."
  3. Search for "Firewall" and select "Azure Firewall."
  4. Fill in the required details:
     • Resource group
     • Name of the firewall
     • Region
  5. Configure the Virtual Network:
     • Create a new one or select an existing one.
  6. Review and create the firewall instance.

• Configure the Firewall:

  • After deployment, navigate to the firewall resource.
  • Set up IP configurations and public IP addresses as needed.

Step 3: Configure Firewall Rules

• Types of Rules:

  • Application Rules: Allow or deny traffic based on the URL and domain names.
  • Network Rules: Control traffic based on IP addresses and ports.

• Create Application Rules:

  1. In the Azure Firewall menu, select "Rules."
  2. Choose "Add application rule collection."
  3. Define the rule collection with the following:
     • Name
     • Priority
     • Action (Allow/Deny)
  4. Add specific rules detailing the target URLs and protocols.

• Create Network Rules:

  1. Similarly, choose "Add network rule collection."
  2. Set parameters like:
     • Source IPs
     • Destination IPs
     • Protocols (TCP/UDP)
     • Destination Ports

Step 4: Monitor and Manage Azure Firewall

• Monitoring:

  • Utilize Azure Monitor to track logs and metrics.
  • Set alerts for anomalous activities.

• Management Best Practices:

  • Regularly review and update firewall rules to align with security policies.
  • Use threat intelligence to stay ahead of potential threats.
  • Document changes and keep track of firewall configurations.

Conclusion

Azure Firewall is a powerful tool for securing your Azure environment. By understanding its features, implementing it correctly, and configuring rules effectively, you can enhance your cloud security posture. As you prepare for the AZ-104 exam, ensure you are comfortable with the concepts and practices outlined in this guide. Consider exploring additional resources and hands-on labs to further solidify your knowledge and skills in managing Azure Firewall.