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Verify that Server Parameter 'log_retention_days' is greater than 3 days for PostgreSQL Database ServerVerify that server parameter 'connection_throttling' is set to 'ON' for PostgreSQL Database ServerVerify that server parameter 'log_disconnections' is set to 'ON' for PostgreSQL Database ServerVerify that server parameter 'log_connections' is set to 'ON' for PostgreSQL Database ServerVerify that 'Enforce SSL connection' is set to 'ENABLED' for PostgreSQL Database ServerVerify that Server Parameter 'log_checkpoints' is set to 'ON' for PostgreSQL Database ServerVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Create Policy AssignmentVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Create or Update Public IP Address ruleVerify that no Azure SQL Databases allow ingress from 0.0.0.0/0 (ANY IP)Verify that Activity Log Alert exists for Delete SQL Server Firewall RuleVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Create or Update SQL Server Firewall RuleVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Delete Network Security GroupVerify that the storage account containing the container with activity logs is encrypted with Customer Managed KeyVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Delete Policy AssignmentVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Create or Update Network Security GroupVerify that Diagnostic Setting captures appropriate categoriesVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Create or Update Security SolutionVerify that Activity Log Alert exists for Delete Public IP Address ruleVerify that logging for Azure AppService 'HTTP logs' is enabledVerify that logging for Azure Key Vault is 'Enabled'Verify that the Expiration Date is set for all Keys in RBAC Key VaultsEnable Role Based Access Control for Azure Key VaultVerify that Private Endpoints are Used for Azure Key VaultVerify that the Key Vault is RecoverableVerify that HTTP(S) access from the Internet is evaluated and restrictedVerify that SSH access from the Internet is evaluated and restrictedVerify that Network Security Group Flow Log retention period is 'greater than 90 days'Verify that Network Watcher is 'Enabled' for all locations in the Azure subscriptionVerify that RDP access from the Internet is evaluated and restrictedVerify that That 'Firewalls & Networks' Is Limited to Use Selected Networks Instead of All NetworksVerify that That Private Endpoints Are Used Where PossibleVerify that 'Enforce SSL connection' is set to 'Enabled' for Standard MySQL Database ServerVerify that 'TLS Version' is set to 'TLSV1.2' for MySQL flexible Database ServerVerify that SQL server's Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) protector is encryptedVerify that 'Auditing' Retention is 'greater than 90 days'Verify that Application Insights are Configured.Verify that 'Restrict non-admin users from creating tenants' is set to 'Yes'Verify that 'Guest invite restrictions' is set to 'Only users assigned to specific admin roles can invite guest users'Verify that That 'Guest users access restrictions' is set to 'Guest user access is restricted to properties and memberships of their own directory objects'Ensure Microsoft Defender for open-source relational databases is enabledVerify that That Microsoft Defender for App Services Is Set To 'On' Verify that That 'Notify about alerts with the following severity' is Set to 'High'Verify that 'Additional email addresses' is Configured with a Security Contact EmailVerify that That Microsoft Defender for SQL Servers on Machines Is Set To 'On' Verify that That 'All users with the following roles' is set to 'Owner'Verify that That Microsoft Defender for Storage Is Set To 'On'

Verify that Activity Log Alert exists for Delete SQL Server Firewall Rule

Framework Reference: A.8.16 Integration: Azure – Activity Log Alerts

Why this matters

Firewall rules in Azure SQL Servers control which IP addresses can access your databases. Deleting a firewall rule can immediately expose a SQL Server instance to unauthorized access or disrupt access for legitimate users.

Monitoring for Microsoft.Sql/servers/firewallRules/delete operations allows your team to detect and respond to unauthorized or accidental configuration changes. It also supports audit trails for change management and regulatory reporting.

What this check does

This Auto Check verifies whether an Activity Log Alert exists for the operation:

Microsoft.Sql/servers/firewallRules/delete

Check Logic:
Passes if:

At least one enabled alert rule exists with the following:

  • Category set to Administrative
  • Operation name equal to Microsoft.Sql/servers/firewallRules/delete
  • No filters on Level, Status, or Caller
  • An Action Group assigned for notifications

Fails if:

  • No matching rule is found or if the rule is disabled or improperly scoped.
  • This check evaluates the current alert rules using Azure Monitor’s API and validates each condition explicitly.

How to fix it

You can create the required alert using Azure Portal, CLI, or PowerShell.

Azure Portal:

  1. Go to Monitor > Alerts > Alert rules.
  2. Click Create > Alert rule.
  3. Set the scope to your subscription.
  4. Under Condition, choose:
  5. Signal: Delete server firewall rule
  6. Operation: Microsoft.Sql/servers/firewallRules/delete
  7. Category: Administrative
  8. Under Actions, assign or create an Action Group to notify your team.
  9. Under Details, enter an alert name and select a resource group.
  10. Click Review + create, then Create.

Azure CLI:

az monitor activity-log alert create \  --name "<activity log rule name>" \  --resource-group "<resource group name>" \  --scope "/subscriptions/<subscription ID>" \  --condition category=Administrative and operationName=Microsoft.Sql/servers/firewallRules/delete \  --action-group <action group ID> \  --enabled true 

PowerShell:

$conditions = @() $conditions += New-AzActivityLogAlertAlertRuleAnyOfOrLeafConditionObject -Equal "Administrative" -Field "category" $conditions += New-AzActivityLogAlertAlertRuleAnyOfOrLeafConditionObject -Equal "Microsoft.Sql/servers/firewallRules/delete" -Field "operationName" $conditions += New-AzActivityLogAlertAlertRuleAnyOfOrLeafConditionObject -Equal "Verbose" -Field "level" $actionGroup = Get-AzActionGroup -ResourceGroupName "<resource group name>" -Name "<action group name>" $actionObject = New-AzActivityLogAlertActionGroupObject -Id $actionGroup.Id $scope = "/subscriptions/<subscription ID>" New-AzActivityLogAlert -Name "<activity log alert rule name>" `  -ResourceGroupName "<resource group name>" `  -Condition $conditions `  -Scope $scope `  -Location "global" `  -Action $actionObject `  -Subscription "<subscription ID>" `  -Enabled $true

Update all placeholders with values from your Azure setup.

Exceptions

There are no valid exceptions. SQL Server firewall changes are sensitive and must be monitored. If an external monitoring solution is used in place of Azure Monitor, document the equivalency and ensure alerting is functionally equivalent.

Further resources

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