Check ID: vm_ensure_attached_disks_encrypted_with_cmk
Provider: Azure
Service: vm
Severity: MEDIUM
Categories: encryption
Resource type: microsoft.compute/disks

What this check verifies

Attached Azure managed disks (OS and data) are assessed to confirm encryption uses customer-managed keys (CMK) via disk encryption sets rather than platform-managed keys. Scope includes disks currently attached to VMs, evaluating their encryption type to verify CMK is applied.

Risk

Without CMK, you lose control over key lifecycle and access. This weakens confidentiality and compliance: you can’t enforce independent rotation, promptly revoke keys to crypto-lock stolen copies/snapshots, or separate duties. Misuse or compromise may keep data readable beyond your trust boundary.

Recommendation

Use CMK with disk encryption sets for all attached OS and data disks.
  • Enforce least privilege on key usage and scope
  • Enable periodic key rotation and auditing
  • Store keys in HSM-backed vaults; separate key and data admins
  • Combine with encryption at host to cover temp disks and caches

Remediation

az disk update -g <RESOURCE_GROUP> -n <DISK_NAME> —encryption-type EncryptionAtRestWithCustomerKey —disk-encryption-set <DES_ID>

References

Where this check fires

This check runs on every scheduled scan against your Azure account. Findings appear at Cloud Security → Findings filterable by Check ID = vm_ensure_attached_disks_encrypted_with_cmk. 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.
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