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SQL Server – Enable SQL Defender

This check ensures that Microsoft Defender for SQL Databases is enabled. Defender for SQL provides advanced threat protection by detecting anomalous activities, potential vulnerabilities, and suspicious database behavior.

Check Details

  • Resource: SQL Server / SQL Database
  • Check: Enable Microsoft Defender for SQL Databases
  • Risk: Without Defender enabled, SQL databases may remain vulnerable to SQL injection attacks, privilege abuse, and anomalous access patterns, leading to data breaches and compliance violations.

Remediation via Azure Portal

  1. Log in to the Azure Portal. Azure Portal dashboard
  2. Navigate to Azure SQL Database.
  3. Under SQL databases, choose the affected database. SQL databases list
  4. In the left-hand menu, select Microsoft Defender for Cloud under Security. Transparent Data Encryption menu
  5. Under Microsoft Defender for SQL, set the status to Enabled. Enable Microsoft Defender for SQL
  6. Review any optional configurations (such as vulnerability assessment or advanced threat protection) and click Save.

Remediation via Azure CLI

  1. Open Azure Cloud Shell from the Azure Portal or use a local terminal with Azure CLI installed. Azure Cloud Shell
  2. Enable Microsoft Defender for SQL Databases at the subscription level:
    az security pricing create \
     --name SqlServers \
     --tier Standard
    

This command enables Microsoft Defender for SQL across the subscription, providing continuous threat detection and security monitoring.