Azure is undoubtedly the ultimate platform for industry leaders seeking to implement a fully cloud-based or hybrid solution. It isn't only a popular choice for Fortune 500 companies but most new startups too. There are many benefits of switching to Azure and hiring an Azure Administrator to leverage the platform at best. But saving both hardware and other upfront costs is the most significant benefits that you can attain. 

While there are many reasons why businesses choose Azure for cloud solution and IT infrastructure maintenance, security is still a concern for most organizations who are still not able to make a switch. And we cannot blame them, especially keeping in mind the growing security threats around the world. According to statistics, most large organizations receive an average of 17,000 security alerts every week. 

Businesses require solutions to be able to address these challenges. Instead of building security as a concern against Azure, it's high time to realize how Azure empowers your organization against these threats. This professional platform can strengthen your security posture without increasing complexity or cost. 

It is because of the amazing level of security features and control that thousands of government organizations and companies including Rolls-Royce, 3M, Geico, First Tech Credit Union, TD Bank, city of Musson, state of Hawaii, and Heineken have opted for Azure as their trusted cloud platform.

There are three key areas where Azure strengthens an organization's security. These are:

• Built-in security

• Secure foundation

• Unique intelligence

To find out why moving to Azure can be a great step towards improving your data security, let's dig into each of these key areas deeper. 

1. Secure Foundation

Cloud computing is the basic service this platform offers. Naturally, with data storage options and management of IT infrastructures, the service is susceptible to cybersecurity threats the most. To make sure they offer only the best to their clients, Microsoft invests billions of dollars annually to improve cybersecurity. Since this initiative is taken by Azure on your behalf, you can allocate your resources, and IT budgets towards other business-critical measures. 

Also, Microsoft is equipped with a professional workforce of more than 3500 dedicated cybersecurity professionals, who are responsible for establishing and keeping up with a robust Cyber Defense Operation Center and various other digital crime units to detect, protect, and respond to threats in real time. 

In fact, when dealing with Azure, you can expect more than just physical control and cybersecurity expertise for your data asset. Since the cloud computing infrastructure is based on customized requirements, the security aspects integrated into firmware components and hardware are up to date as well. These include hardware-based enclave technology and secret management.

The secure foundation is one of the major reasons why most popular customers choose Azure as their cloud service providers.

2. Built-In Security Features

In addition to the tough foundation that Azure features, the service further takes your security to the next level by offering you built-in security features. These controls help you stay protected across network, identity, tools, and data for better security management against cybersecurity threats. 

Some significant features include:

• Manage Access and Authorized Identity: By offering you an Active Directory, Azure runs the central system for managing authorized identity and access across all the cloud services, including Office 365, Azure, and many more. 

• Secure Your Network: While it is important to maintain on-site security by offering Microsoft Azure training to your staff and encouraging them to acquire certs like Azure Administrator certification, you can rely on Azure for establishing and maintaining a secure network through Azure Virtual Networks (VNet)

• Manage Secrets and Safeguard Data: Azure offers its data protection service while your data is at rest or when it is in transit. Your data is fully protected even when it is in use. Azure uses high standard industry protocols to encrypt data when it travels between data centers and on-site devices.

• Unified Security Management: This system assists in detecting and preventing threats. The Security Center offers you insights into security issues as well as offer you suggestions on areas that need fixing. 

Azure's range of built-in security services offers security across networking, identity, threat prevention, data, and security management. The idea is to help you improve your current security posture for best results. 

3. Unique Intelligence

Cybersecurity threats are evolving at a fast pace. To identify the pattern of this constant change, it is important to utilize collective intelligence to keep up with the pace of threats. 

Microsoft has this covered for you. The unique Intelligence Security Graph gathers signals from various Microsoft products utilized at a massive scale - estimated to 4 billion emails, 450 billion authentications, and 1 billion devices over a month. The idea is to offer you the security that perfectly matches the sophistication and pace of the threat through Azure Intelligence. 

Moreover, the threat protection feature of Azure Security Center also helps organizations detect and prevent threat by passing a warning through a security alert dashboard. To make this happen, the Microsoft Intelligence Security Graph collaborates with visualization and machine learning. It enables organizations to understand and prepare for the most critical issues. This is a great feature that every client must avail.

Conclusion

It is highly unlikely for professional like these and the popular service they offer to stay unsure. Stats also show how more than 85% of Fortune 500 companies choose Azure as their preferred platform from cloud computing, data storage, and IT infrastructure management. However, the best way to really understand what their services are all about and how reliable they are is to use Azure yourself. Not only it is a great opportunity to boost the productivity of your business at just a fraction of cost, but you can also instantly improve your organization's security to a great extent. 

Last but not least, let's not forget who Microsoft is. It's an industry leader for decades for the exceptional IT and computing services the platform offers. With cloud computing, it is important to ponder over all of these security capabilities and make the most out of the secure foundation, unique intelligence and built-in features to improve your security posture right away.