Enhancing AI Security with Microsoft Defender for Cloud
As organizations increasingly adopt gen-AI applications and integrations, the potential risks also rise. Adversaries might target AI models to exfiltrate sensitive data, while internal users could unintentionally access unauthorized information. Many organizations face challenges in curbing unethical AI usage in apps and interfaces powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), particularly those available to the public.
Real-World Risks: A Case Study
Imagine a cloud-native customer service application utilizing Azure OpenAI to handle inquiries. While this boosts efficiency and customer satisfaction, it also introduces risks. An attacker could exploit the AI model’s vulnerabilities to access sensitive customer data or spread misinformation through manipulated responses. Misconfigurations might even allow internal users to access restricted information, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance violations.
Proactive Safeguards for AI Workloads
Mitigating risks for Azure OpenAI workloads starts with robust safeguards. For instance, shield prompts enforce boundaries to reduce vulnerabilities. However, LLMs can still be exposed to adversarial inputs that bypass these defenses. This underscores the need for advanced tools like Microsoft Defender for Cloud, which offers comprehensive detection, monitoring, and protection against AI-specific attack techniques.
Leveraging Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
In an Azure environment hosting AI workloads, Microsoft Defender for Cloud’s Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) provides automated recommendations to remediate configuration weaknesses. Microsoft continues to improve MDC’s protection against AI-based attacks with recent enhancements including AI-specific recommendations for gen-AI workloads, such as enabling diagnostic logs and implementing private links:
These recommendations are categorized by severity level and they can also show possible paths an attacker could take to compromise your cloud infrastructure and AI workloads. These recommendations currently cover Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Machine Learning, and resources hosted in Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Amazon Bedrock.
Reducing the attack surface is the first step in a secure environment; however, we also need a way to protect our application in real time against attacks.
Real-Time Threat Protection
Microsoft Defender for Cloud now offers threat protection for AI workloads, identifying and mitigating risks proactively. By continuously monitoring workloads, MDC generates actionable alerts to address threats before they escalate.
Enhanced Reporting with E-Visor
Using our E-Visor for Microsoft Defender for Cloud solution, users can compile Microsoft Defender for Cloud findings and alerts into an HTML report with an intuitive interface. This enables you to share reports with key stakeholders without granting admin access to the Azure and Defender consoles. The report includes all CSPM recommendations and alerts from Defender for Cloud. Users can filter subscriptions, resource groups, or resource types to distribute each report to the relevant teams.
How Synergy Advisors Helps You Strengthen Your Security
At Synergy Advisors, we’re excited to introduce our enhanced Managed XDR Engagement, sponsored by Microsoft. This initiative strengthens your security against evolving threats and optimizes your infrastructure—all at no cost to your organization.
What is the Managed XDR Engagement?
The Managed XDR Engagement enhances your security through:
- Real-time threat detection
- Proactive threat hunting
- Expert-led responses ensuring swift threat resolution
This enables you to confidently focus on your core business.
Benefits of Participating in This Engagement
Personalized assessments ensure Microsoft Defender for Office (MDO) or Microsoft Defender for Cloud (MDC) is configured to meet your organization’s needs.
Receive a document with findings and actionable recommendations to improve your security posture.
Training to empower your team to manage the tool independently.
Remediation of up to two key items to strengthen your organization’s security.
Access to a specialized team that maximizes the value of implemented solutions.
Ready to Strengthen Your Security?
Contact us today to learn how Synergy Advisors can help your organization enhance its security posture and unlock the full potential of your AI workloads.
