Azure PCI Data Exposure Remediation

Learn how to fix PCI data exposure in Azure environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance and secure cardholder data.

data exposure

PCI-DSS

azure

Why It Matters

The core goal is to remediate exposed PCI data across your Azure environment, ensuring cardholder data is properly secured and compliant with PCI-DSS requirements. Fixing PCI data exposure is critical for organizations processing credit card transactions, as it helps you eliminate security gaps that could lead to data breaches, financial penalties, and loss of customer trust.

Primary Risk: Data exposure of sensitive cardholder information

Relevant Regulation: PCI-DSS Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard

A systematic remediation approach delivers immediate risk reduction, ensuring ongoing compliance and protecting your organization from costly data breaches.

Prerequisites

Permissions & Roles

  • Azure Security Admin or Contributor role
  • Access to Azure Security Center
  • Resource group management permissions

External Tools

  • Azure CLI or PowerShell
  • Cyera DSPM account
  • API credentials

Prior Setup

  • Azure subscription configured
  • Data discovery scan completed
  • PCI data identified and classified
  • Remediation priorities established

Introducing Cyera

Cyera is a modern Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) platform that discovers, classifies, and continuously monitors your sensitive data across cloud services. Using advanced AI-powered Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Named Entity Recognition (NER), Cyera automatically identifies PCI data patterns in Azure, prioritizes remediation efforts based on risk scoring, and provides guided remediation workflows to fix exposures quickly and maintain PCI-DSS compliance.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Assess and prioritize PCI data exposures

Review the Cyera dashboard to identify high-risk PCI data exposures. Focus on publicly accessible storage accounts, unencrypted databases, and overly permissive access controls.

az storage account list --query "[?publicNetworkAccess=='Enabled']"

2
Implement encryption and access controls

Enable Azure Storage encryption, configure Azure Key Vault for key management, and implement proper RBAC policies. Ensure all PCI data is encrypted both at rest and in transit.

3
Configure network security and isolation

Set up Virtual Network service endpoints, configure Private Link for databases, and implement Network Security Groups (NSGs) to restrict access to PCI data resources. Enable Azure Firewall for additional protection.

4
Validate remediation and maintain compliance

Run compliance scans to verify all PCI data is properly secured, configure continuous monitoring alerts, and establish regular audit processes. Update data classification labels and ensure ongoing compliance with PCI-DSS requirements.

Architecture & Workflow

Azure Security Center

Compliance dashboard and security recommendations

Cyera DSPM Platform

AI-powered data discovery and risk assessment

Azure Key Vault

Encryption key management and secrets protection

Monitoring & Alerting

Continuous compliance monitoring and incident response

Remediation Flow Summary

Identify Exposures → Apply Security Controls → Validate Compliance → Monitor Ongoing

Best Practices & Tips

Encryption Strategy

  • Use Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE)
  • Implement TLS 1.2+ for data in transit
  • Rotate encryption keys regularly

Access Control Management

  • Apply principle of least privilege
  • Use Azure AD Conditional Access
  • Implement multi-factor authentication

Common Pitfalls

  • Leaving storage accounts publicly accessible
  • Using weak encryption or outdated protocols
  • Insufficient logging and monitoring coverage

References & Further Reading

Next Steps

🛡️ Prevent: Set up proactive PCI data protection 🔍 Detect: Implement continuous PCI data monitoring