Becoming an Azure SQL DBA – Security, Compliance, Threats, Connectivity

Niko Neugebauer

In this session you will learn how to evolve your Azure SQL DBA skills in the domain of security, compliance, authentication and connectivity, from the perspective of an on-premises DBA now supporting databases in Azure.

On the example of a fully-managed Azure SQL PaaS service, you will gain a deep understanding of the security and compliance concepts the platform offers. You will understand authentication and best practices related to using WinAuth and EntraID with your Azure SQL resources – and how it maps with resources migrated from your on-premises SQL Server. We will review how to use advanced threat protection to automatically detect any security vulnerabilities. You will learn about Microsoft Purview, which helps you gain visibility, safeguard and manage sensitive data, govern, and manage critical data risks and regulatory requirements in Azure. We will also cover the basics of networking in Azure SQL and what is required to securely connect to, and access, your Azure SQL resources.

In each of the areas and throughout the session, we will map on-premises SQL Server DBA responsibilities to the Azure SQL DBA role – highlighting what responsibilities are new, which ones stay the same, and what is shared or fully delegated to Microsoft. You will walk away with an understanding of the relevant DBA skills you need to evolve as an Azure SQL DBA.