---name: azure-compliancedescription: Run Azure compliance and security audits with azqr plus Key Vault expiration checks. Covers best-practice assessment, resource review, policy/compliance validation, and security posture checks. WHEN: compliance scan, security audit, BEFORE running azqr (compliance cli tool), Azure best practices, Key Vault expiration check, expired certificates, expiring secrets, orphaned resources, compliance assessment.license: MITmetadata: author: Microsoftversion: 1.2.2---

Azure Compliance & Security Auditing

Quick Reference

Property	Details
Best for	Compliance scans, security audits, Key Vault expiration checks
Primary capabilities	Comprehensive Resources Assessment, Key Vault Expiration Monitoring
MCP tools	azqr, subscription and resource group listing, Key Vault item inspection

Prerequisites

• Authentication: user is logged in to Azure via az login
• Permissions to read resource configuration and Key Vault metadata

Assessments

Assessment	Reference
Comprehensive Compliance (azqr)	references/azure-quick-review.md
Key Vault Expiration	references/azure-keyvault-expiration-audit.md
Resource Graph Queries	references/azure-resource-graph.md

MCP Tools

Tool	Purpose
mcp_azure_mcp_extension_azqr	Run azqr compliance scans
mcp_azure_mcp_subscription_list	List available subscriptions
mcp_azure_mcp_group_list	List resource groups
keyvault_key_list	List all keys in vault
keyvault_key_get	Get key details including expiration
keyvault_secret_list	List all secrets in vault
keyvault_secret_get	Get secret details including expiration
keyvault_certificate_list	List all certificates in vault
keyvault_certificate_get	Get certificate details including expiration

Assessment Workflow

1. Select scope (subscription or resource group) for Comprehensive Resources Assessment.
2. Run azqr and capture output artifacts.
3. Analyze Scan Results and summarize findings and recommendations.
4. Review Key Vault Expiration Monitoring output for keys, secrets, and certificates.
5. Classify issues and propose remediation or fix steps for each finding.

Priority Classification

Priority	Guidance
Critical	Immediate remediation required for high-impact exposure
High	Resolve within days to reduce risk
Medium	Plan a resolution in the next sprint
Low	Track and fix during regular maintenance

Error Handling

Error	Message	Remediation
Authentication required	"Please login"	Run az login and retry
Access denied	"Forbidden"	Confirm permissions and fix role assignments
Missing resource	"Not found"	Verify subscription and resource group selection

Best Practices

• Run compliance scans on a regular schedule (weekly or monthly)
• Track findings over time and verify remediation effectiveness
• Separate compliance reporting from remediation execution
• Keep Key Vault expiration policies documented and enforced

SDK Quick References

For programmatic Key Vault access, see the condensed SDK guides:

• Key Vault (Python): Secrets/Keys/Certs
• Secrets: TypeScript | Rust | Java
• Keys: .NET | Java | TypeScript | Rust
• Certificates: Rust