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Does Just-in-Time VM Access Work with Both Windows and Linux Virtual Machines?
Prepare for your AZ-500 exam by understanding that Just-in-Time (JIT) VM access supports both Windows and Linux virtual machines. Learn how JIT controls access to management ports like RDP (3389) for Windows and SSH (22) for Linux through dynamic Network Security Group rules.
Question
Just-in-Time VM access is only available for Windows VMs.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
Answer
B. FALSE
Explanation
The correct answer is B. FALSE. Just-in-Time (JIT) VM access is available for both Windows and Linux virtual machines, as it operates at the network layer by controlling access to management ports regardless of the underlying operating system.
JIT access is also possible for Linux VMs. JIT is simply gating access to the listening port.
How JIT Works Across Operating Systems
JIT VM access is fundamentally a network-level security control that manages inbound traffic to virtual machines by dynamically modifying Network Security Group (NSG) rules or Azure Firewall policies. Since it operates at the network layer rather than the operating system layer, it can protect any VM regardless of whether it runs Windows or Linux.
Port Management for Different Operating Systems
- Windows VMs: JIT typically manages access to Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) on port 3389, which is the standard remote management protocol for Windows systems. When a user requests access, JIT temporarily opens this port for the specified duration and source IP address.
- Linux VMs: For Linux systems, JIT manages access to Secure Shell (SSH) on port 22, which is the standard remote management protocol for Unix-like operating systems. The same temporary access mechanism applies, allowing SSH connections from approved sources for a limited time.
- Custom Ports: JIT can also be configured to manage other ports that might be used for management or application access, regardless of the operating system running on the VM.
Universal Network Security Benefits
The security benefits of JIT apply equally to both Windows and Linux environments:
- Reduced Attack Surface: By keeping management ports closed by default, JIT prevents automated attacks and port scanning attempts against both RDP and SSH services.
- Time-Limited Access: Whether accessing a Windows VM via RDP or a Linux VM via SSH, users must request access for a specific time period, after which access is automatically revoked.
- Source IP Restrictions: JIT can restrict access to specific source IP addresses, providing location-based access control for both operating systems.
- Audit Trail: All access requests and approvals are logged in Azure Activity Log and can be monitored through Microsoft Defender for Cloud, providing accountability regardless of the target OS.
Configuration Considerations
While JIT works with both operating systems, there are some configuration considerations:
- Default Ports: JIT policies can be configured with default settings for common management ports (3389 for Windows, 22 for Linux), but administrators can customize these based on their environment.
- Multi-Port Support: A single JIT policy can manage multiple ports, allowing protection of VMs that might have both Windows and Linux management protocols enabled.
The cross-platform nature of JIT makes it an effective security control for heterogeneous environments where organizations run both Windows and Linux workloads in Azure.
Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam and earn Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 certification.