Running SQL Server on Azure VM comes with many benefits such as
- Lower the cost to run SQL Server on Azure with Azure-only pricing offers.
- Easily bring your SQL Server to the cloud and enjoy versatile and powerful virtual machines.
- Automatic security updates and simplified configuration management
- Utilize free HA/DR license benefits with Azure Hybrid Benefit.
All the above features are powered by SQL Server IaaS Agent extension. SQL Server IaaS Agent extension (SqlIaasExtension) runs on SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) to automate management and administration tasks.
As we work on adding more features to SQL Server IaaS Agent extension and SQL VM blade, we are more than excited to bring Azure Defender for SQL VM experience right from the SQL VM blade. Customers previously had to go through multiple steps to get to Azure Security Center to view and manage best practices of security for databases on SQL Server Virtual Machines. We made this experience easy for all customers who are registered to SQL IaaS Agent extension. Now you can access the entire Azure Defender suite from the same place you manage other SQL VM features such as automated backup, licensing, and security configurations like Azure Key Vault integration (learn more about the other benefits of running your SQL Server in an Azure Virtual Machine here).
The prerequisite of enabling this feature at the subscription level remains the same ( How to set up Azure Defender for SQL | Microsoft Docs).
Following is the experience in SQL Virtual machine blade, please note that there is a new Security tab and all the previous Security tab options are now available in Security Configuration.
You can learn more about Azure Security Center and how to use it here (How to set up Azure Defender for SQL | Microsoft Docs).