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Lots of news surrounding Azure security and hybrid offerings this week. Here are a couple of the news items we are covering this week: Azure Database for PostgreSQL Data encryption enhancements announced, New Microsoft Learn Modules for Azure and Windows Server IT Pros, Exchange Server 2016 End of Mainstream Support and Azure Cloud Shell running in an isolated virtual network and tools image open sourced.

 

 

Azure Database for PostgreSQL Data encryption enhancements announced

Azure Database for PostgreSQL Infrastructure double encryption (preview)

The preview of infrastructure double encryption for Azure Database for PostgreSQL-single server is now available. Infrastructure double encryption adds a second layer of encryption using a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module and a different encryption algorithm which gives an additional layer of protection for your data at rest. The key used in Infrastructure Double encryption is also managed by this service. This feature is not turned on by default as it will have performance impact due to the additional layer of encryption.

Data encryption with customer managed keys for Azure DB for PostgreSQL-single server

Data encryption with customer-managed keys for Azure Database for PostgreSQL-single server enables you to bring your own key (BYOK) for data protection at rest. It also allows organizations to implement separation of duties in the management of keys and data. With customer-managed encryption, you are responsible for, and in a full control of, a key’s lifecycle, key usage permissions, and auditing of operations on keys.

 

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New Microsoft Learn Modules for Azure and Windows Server IT Pros

Whether you’re just starting or an experienced professional, the hands-on approach helps you arrive at your goals faster, with more confidence and at your own pace. In the last couple of days, the team at Microsoft published a couple of new Microsoft Learn modules around Azure, Hybrid Cloud, and Windows Server for IT Pros. These modules help you to learn how you can leverage Microsoft Azure in a hybrid cloud environment to manage Windows Server.

 

Exchange Server 2016 and the End of Mainstream Support

Microsoft has announced that Exchange Server 2016 enters the Extended Support phase of its product lifecycle on October 14th, 2020.  During Extended Support, products receive only updates defined as Critical consistent with the Security Update Guide. For Exchange Server 2016, critical updates will also include any required product updates due to time zone definition changes. With the transition of Exchange Server 2016 to Extended Support, the quarterly release schedule of cumulative updates (CU) will end. The last planned CU for Exchange Server 2016, CU19, will be released in December 2020.

 

Azure Cloud Shell enhancements announced

Azure Cloud Shell can now run in an isolated virtual network (public preview)

Microsoft announced the public preview of Azure Cloud Shell running inside a private virtual network. This widely requested and optional feature allows you deploy a Cloud Shell container into an Azure virtual network that you control. Once you connect to Cloud Shell, you can interact with resources within the virtual network you selected. This allows you to connect to virtual machines that only have a private IP, use kubectl to connect to a Kubernetes cluster which has locked down access, or connect to other resources that are secured inside a virtual network.

 

The Azure Cloud Shell tools image is now open sourced

The Cloud Shell experience contains common command line tools to manage resources across both Azure and M365 and can now be found on GitHub. You can now file issues or pull requests directly to the tools image, and any changes that occur there will be reflected in the next release of Cloud Shell. You can use this container image in other management scenarios, with many tools already installed and updated regularly, removing the concern about updating your cloud management tools.

 

MS Learn Module of the Week

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Implement hybrid identity with Windows Server

These hands-on-labs share details on how to configure an Azure environment so that Windows IaaS workloads requiring Active Directory are supported. You’ll also learn to integrate on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) environment into Azure.

 

Let us know in the comments below if there are any news items you would like to see covered in next week show.  Az Update streams live every Friday so be sure to catch the next episode and join us in the live chat.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.