Microsoft Expands Azure Monitor Network Security Perimeter to 56 Regions

Microsoft has expanded the Network Security Perimeter feature in Azure Monitor to 56 public cloud regions worldwide, enhancing network security and monitoring for organizations. This update strengthens protection by enabling better isolation, access control, and threat visibility across Azure environments.

What is Azure Monitor Network Security Perimeter?

The Azure Monitor Network Security Perimeter feature is designed to enhance the security of Azure PaaS resources by creating a local boundary for network isolation. This boundary allows secure communication between PaaS services within the perimeter while controlling external access through defined network rules. It helps to prevent data exfiltration by ensuring sensitive data stays within the trusted boundary and offers comprehensive logging for visibility and compliance.

Additionally, the Azure Monitor Network Security Perimeter simplifies network management by offering a centralized way to define boundaries and control access through a unified API in Azure Core Network. Administrators can configure access rules based on specific IP addresses or Azure subscriptions, ensuring greater security and flexibility.

The Azure Monitor Network Security Perimeter provides powerful logging and monitoring tools to track traffic patterns. This makes it easier for security teams to audit activities, maintain compliance, and detect threats. It seamlessly integrates with other Azure services and supports complex network setups by linking multiple Private Link Resources to a single security perimeter.

Limitations

Microsoft has acknowledged some limitations of the Network Security Perimeter. For Log Analytics export to work correctly, both the Log Analytics workspace and storage accounts must be within the same perimeter. Moreover, global action groups are not supported, requiring IT admins to set up regional action groups instead.

The Azure Monitor region support for Network Security Perimeter is currently available in public preview for Azure customers. This release has helped customers achieve their network isolation and monitoring goals, which are important for implementing the Secure Future Initiative (SFI) security waves.