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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 'Auditing' Retention is 'greater than 90 days'

Framework Reference: A.5.33 Integration: Azure – SQL Server

Why this matters

Audit logs are critical for detecting and investigating security incidents. Setting audit log retention to more than 90 days ensures that there is sufficient historical data available to analyze anomalies, identify breaches, and comply with legal or regulatory requirements.

What this check does

This Auto Check verifies that Azure SQL Server auditing, if enabled and writing to a storage account, retains logs for more than 90 days, or is set to 0 (unlimited).

Check Logic

Passes if:

  • RetentionInDays > 90
  • or RetentionInDays = 0

Fails if:

  • RetentionInDays <= 90 and not unlimited

Applies to:

  • Azure SQL Servers with auditing configured to a supported destination (Blob Storage, Event Hub, Log Analytics)

How to fix it

Azure Portal

  1. Navigate to SQL servers
  2. Select the server
  3. Go to Auditing
  4. If Storage, Log Analytics, or Event Hub is selected, expand Advanced properties
  5. Set Retention (days) to greater than 90 or 0 (unlimited)
  6. Click Save
  7. Azure PowerShell

Log Analytics:

Set-AzSqlServerAudit `  -ResourceGroupName <resourceGroupName> `  -ServerName <sqlServerName> `  -RetentionInDays <value greater than 90> `  -LogAnalyticsTargetState Enabled `  -WorkspaceResourceId "/subscriptions/<subscriptionId>/resourceGroups/<group>/providers/Microsoft.OperationalInsights/workspaces/<workspaceName>"

Event Hub:

Set-AzSqlServerAudit `  -ResourceGroupName "<resourceGroupName>" `  -ServerName "<sqlServerName>" `  -EventHubTargetState Enabled `  -EventHubName "<eventHubName>" `  -EventHubAuthorizationRuleResourceId "<eventHubAuthRuleResourceId>"

Blob Storage:

Set-AzSqlServerAudit `  -ResourceGroupName "<resourceGroupName>" `  -ServerName "<sqlServerName>" `  -BlobStorageTargetState Enabled `  -StorageAccountResourceId "/subscriptions/<subscriptionId>/resourceGroups/<group>/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/<accountName>" `  -RetentionInDays <value greater than 90>

Exceptions

None. Retaining audit logs for less than 90 days is considered non-compliant. Unlimited (0) is acceptable if log lifecycle management is handled via external tooling.

Further resources

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