Working with Azure Policy

Azure Policies are a crucial tool for enforcing governance rules within your Azure environment.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for the key tasks related to managing Azure Policies

• assigning policies,

• creating and assigning policy initiatives,

• checking for compliance,

• checking remediation tasks,

• and removing policies and initiatives.

1. Assign a Policy in Azure

Assigning a policy involves selecting a policy definition and applying it to a scope (subscription, resource group, or management group).

Here's how to assign a policy.

Steps to Assign a Policy

1.1. Navigate to Azure Policy:

In the Azure Portal, go to All Services and search for Policy.

Select Policy to open the Azure Policy service.

1.2. Select Policy Definitions:

Under the Authoring section, click Definitions.

Browse through the list of Built-in policies or select + Policy Definition if you want to create a custom policy.

1.3. Assign the Policy:

Select the policy definition you want to assign.

Click Assign at the top of the page.

1.4. Set Assignment Scope:

Choose the Scope (this can be a subscription, resource group, or management group).

You can also filter the scope by Location or apply it to specific resources.

1.5. Configure Parameters (if required):

Some policies require parameters (e.g., specifying allowed regions).

Enter the required parameters for the policy.

1.6. Assign the Policy:

Optionally, select Remediation if you want to trigger a remediation task to correct non-compliant resources.

Review the policy assignment and click Assign.

2. Create and Assign an Initiative Definition

An Initiative is a collection of policies that are grouped together to achieve a common goal (e.g., security, cost management).

You can create a custom initiative and assign it to a scope.

Steps to Create and Assign an Initiative Definition:

2.1. Navigate to Azure Policy:

Go to Azure Policy in the Azure Portal.

2.2. Create an Initiative:

Under Authoring, select Initiatives.

Click + Initiative Definition to create a new initiative.

Provide a Name and Description for the initiative.

2.3. Add Policies to the Initiative:

Click + Add Policy to select the policy definitions that should be part of this initiative.

Add multiple policies based on your organizational needs (e.g., policies for compliance, security, resource management).

2.4. Set the Initiative Parameters (Optional):

If needed, define parameters that will be applied across all the policies in the initiative.

2.5. Save the Initiative:

After adding all the required policies, click Save to create the initiative.

2.6. Assign the Initiative:

To assign the initiative, click Assign at the top of the initiative page.

Choose the Scope (subscription, resource group, or management group).

Optionally, configure Exemptions or Parameters if required.

Review and click Assign to apply the initiative to the selected scope.

3. Check for Compliance

Once a policy or initiative is assigned, Azure continuously evaluates the resources for compliance.

You can check the compliance state of resources assigned to a policy or initiative.

Steps to Check for Compliance:

3.1. Navigate to Azure Policy:

In the Azure Portal, go to Azure Policy.

3.2. View Compliance Dashboard:

Under Compliance, click on Overview.

The dashboard will show the compliance state for each assigned policy or initiative across your resources.

You will see whether the resources are Compliant, Non-compliant, or In progress.

3.3. Check Detailed Compliance Information:

Click on any non-compliant policy or initiative to get more details.

You will see a list of non-compliant resources, along with an explanation of why they are non-compliant.

4. Check for Remediation Tasks

Azure allows you to create remediation tasks that can automatically or manually correct non-compliant resources based on the policy or initiative settings.

Steps to Check for Remediation Tasks:

4.1. Navigate to Azure Policy:

In the Azure Portal, go to Azure Policy.

4.2. Go to the Compliance Page:

Under Compliance, click on Overview or directly on the policy or initiative you want to check.

4.3. View Non-Compliant Resources:

For non-compliant resources, you will have the option to trigger a remediation task.

4.4. Create or Trigger Remediation:

If a remediation task is available (such as DeployIfNotExists or Append), you can click Remediate.

For example, if your policy requires the deployment of a resource (like Azure Security Center), Azure will automatically deploy it to non-compliant resources.

4.5. Monitor the Remediation Task:

After initiating a remediation task, you can monitor its progress in the Remediation Tasks section of Azure Policy.

The task status will be listed as In progress, Succeeded, or Failed.

5. Remove a Policy or Initiative

If you no longer need a policy or initiative or wish to update it, you can remove or unassign it from the scope.

Steps to Remove a Policy:

5.1. Navigate to Azure Policy:

Go to Azure Policy in the Azure Portal.

5.2. Go to Policy Assignments:

Under Assignments, find the policy assignment you want to remove.

5.3. Select the Policy Assignment:

Click on the policy assignment you want to delete.

5.4. Remove the Policy Assignment:

Click Delete at the top of the page to remove the assignment.

The policy will no longer be enforced on the scope (subscription, resource group, etc.).

Steps to Remove an Initiative:

5.1. Navigate to Azure Policy:

Go to Azure Policy in the Azure Portal.

5.2. Go to Initiatives:

Under Authoring, select Initiatives.

5.3. Select the Initiative:

Click on the initiative you want to remove.

5.4. Remove the Initiative Assignment:

Click on Assignments in the initiative overview page.

Find the assignment to remove, click on it, and then select Delete.

The initiative will no longer be applied to the selected scope.

Conclusion

Managing Azure Policies effectively involves several steps: assigning policies, creating and assigning initiatives, checking for compliance, managing remediation tasks, and removing or unassigning policies when no longer needed.

By understanding these core tasks, you can ensure that your resources are compliant with your organization’s governance, security, and cost management strategies.

• Assign policies to enforce specific rules.

• Create initiatives for grouping related policies.

• Monitor compliance to track adherence to governance standards.

• Use remediation tasks to automatically or manually fix non-compliant resources.

• Remove or unassign policies and initiatives when they are no longer required.

These practices will help ensure that your Azure environment stays organized, secure, and cost-effective.