Check ID:
Provider: Azure
Service:
Severity: HIGH
Categories:
Resource type:
storage_ensure_encryption_with_customer_managed_keysProvider: Azure
Service:
storageSeverity: HIGH
Categories:
encryptionResource type:
microsoft.storage/storageaccountsWhat this check verifies
Azure Storage accounts use customer-managed keys (CMK) from Key Vault/Managed HSM for service-side encryption of data at rest, rather than platform-managed keys (encryption_type=Microsoft.Keyvault).
Risk
Without CMK, keys are provider-controlled, reducing confidentiality and governance.- Cannot promptly revoke access during incidents
- No custom rotation or separation of duties
- Limited key-use auditing This weakens data sovereignty and hinders effective crypto-shredding.
Recommendation
Adopt CMK with keys in Key Vault or Managed HSM. Enforce least privilege for the storage identity, regular key rotation, and separation of duties between key custodians and operators. Audit key usage, enable tamper-resistant key protection (soft-delete/purge protection), and plan for key revocation/crypto-shredding.Remediation
- CLI
- Terraform
- Native IaC
- Dashboard steps
az storage account update —name <STORAGE_ACCOUNT_NAME> —resource-group <RESOURCE_GROUP> —encryption-key-name <KEY_NAME> —encryption-key-source Microsoft.Keyvault —encryption-key-vault <KEY_VAULT_URI>
References
- https://www.trendmicro.com/cloudoneconformity/knowledge-base/azure/StorageAccounts/cmk-encryption.html
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-service-encryption
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/customer-managed-keys-overview
Where this check fires
This check runs on every scheduled scan against your Azure account. Findings appear at Cloud Security → Findings filterable byCheck ID = storage_ensure_encryption_with_customer_managed_keys. To re-evaluate after a fix, hit Run now on the account’s schedule under Cloud Security → Schedules — the next scan re-checks this control and marks the finding fixed or keeps it persistent.
← Back to Azure checks