Common questions about data collection, agents, and workspaces

Data collection is automatically turned on when you enable a Defender plan that requires a monitoring component.

When automatic provisioning is enabled, Defender for Cloud uses the Log Analytics agent on all supported Azure VMs and any new ones that are created. Automatic provisioning is recommended but manual agent installation is also available. Learn how to install the Log Analytics agent extension.

The agent enables the process creation event 4688 and the CommandLine field inside event 4688. New processes created on the VM get recorded by the EventLog and monitored by Defender for Cloud's detection services. For more information on the details recorded for each new process, see description fields in 4688. The agent also collects the 4688 events created on the VM and stores them in search.

Defender for Cloud configures a local AppLocker policy in Audit mode to allow all applications. This policy causes AppLocker to generate events, which are then collected and used by Defender for Cloud. It's important to note that this policy isn't configured on any machines on which there's already a configured AppLocker policy.

When Defender for Cloud detects suspicious activity on the VM, the customer receives an email notification if security contact information has been provided. An alert is also visible in Defender for Cloud's security alerts dashboard.

To monitor for security vulnerabilities and threats, Microsoft Defender for Cloud depends on the Log Analytics Agent - this agent is the same used by the Azure Monitor service.

The agent is sometimes referred to as the Microsoft Monitoring Agent (or "MMA").

The agent collects various security-related configuration details and event logs from connected machines, and then copies the data to your Log Analytics workspace for further analysis. Examples of such data are: operating system type and version, operating system logs (Windows event logs), running processes, machine name, IP addresses, and logged in user.

Ensure your machines are running one of the supported operating systems for the agent as described on the following pages:

• Log Analytics agent for Windows supported operating systems

• Log Analytics agent for Linux supported operating systems

Learn more about the data collected by the Log Analytics agent.

Windows or Linux IaaS VMs qualify if:

• The Log Analytics agent extension isn't currently installed on the VM.
• The VM is in running state.
• The Windows or Linux Azure Virtual Machine Agent is installed.
• The VM isn't used as an appliance such as web application firewall or next generation firewall.

For a full list of the security events collected by the agent, see What event types are stored for the "Common" and "Minimal" security events settings?.

When the Monitoring Agent is installed as an extension, the extension configuration allows reporting to only a single workspace. Defender for Cloud doesn't override existing connections to user workspaces. Defender for Cloud stores security data from a VM in a workspace that is already connected when the "Security" or "SecurityCenterFree" solution is installed on it. Defender for Cloud might upgrade the extension version to the latest version in this process.

For more information, see Automatic provisioning in cases of a pre-existing agent installation.

If the Log Analytics agent is installed directly on the VM (not as an Azure extension), Defender for Cloud installs the Log Analytics agent extension, and might upgrade the Log Analytics agent to the latest version.

The agent installed continues to report to its already configured workspaces, and reports to the workspace configured in Defender for Cloud. (Multi-homing is supported on Windows machines.)

For custom user workspaces, you need to install the "Security" or "SecurityCenterFree" solution on it so that Defender for Cloud can process events from VMs and computers reporting to that workspace.

For Linux machines, agent multi-homing isn't yet supported. If an existing agent installation is detected, Defender for Cloud doesn't automatically uses an agent or change the machine's configuration.

For existing machines on subscriptions onboarded to Defender for Cloud before March 17 2019, agent multi-homing isn't yet supported. If an existing agent installation is detected, Defender for Cloud doesn't automatically use an agent or change the machine's configuration. For these machines, see the "Resolve monitoring agent health issues on your machines" recommendation to resolve the agent installation issues on these machines

For more information, see the next section What happens if a System Center Operations Manager or OMS direct agent is already installed on my VM?

Defender for Cloud implements an Azure Policy that doesn't allow the Log Analytics agent to be installed while the System Center Operations Manager Agent in installed on the machine. Both the agents have the ability to multi-home and report to the System Center Operations Manager and the Log Analytics workspace. The Operations Manager agent and Log Analytics agent share common run-time libraries. Note - If version 2012 of the Operations Manager agent is installed, don't turn on automatic provisioning (manageability capabilities can be lost when the Operations Manager server is also version 2012).

If you remove the Microsoft Monitoring Extension, Defender for Cloud isn't able to collect security data from the VM and some security recommendations and alerts are unavailable. Within 24 hours, Defender for Cloud determines that the VM is missing the extension and reinstalls the extension.

Deploying extensions with Defender for Cloud is highly recommended in order to get security alerts and recommendations about system updates, OS vulnerabilities, and endpoint protection. Turning off extensions limits these alerts and recommendations. However, you can disable automatic provisioning for a specific agent or extension:

To disable automatic provisioning for a specific agent or extension:

1. From the Azure portal, open Defender for Cloud and select Environment settings.

2. Select the relevant subscription.

3. In the Monitoring coverage column of the Defender for Server plan, select Settings.

   

4. Turn off the extension you want to stop being automatically provisioned.

   

5. Select Save.

You might want to opt out of automatic provisioning if these scenarios apply to you:

• Automatic agent installation by Defender for Cloud applies to the entire subscription. You can't apply automatic installation to a subset of VMs. If there are critical VMs that can't be installed with the Log Analytics agent, then you should opt out of automatic provisioning.

• Installation of the Log Analytics agent extension updates the agent's version. This applies to a direct agent and a System Center Operations Manager agent (in the latter, the Operations Manager and Log Analytics agent share common runtime libraries - which is updated in the process). If the installed Operations Manager agent is version 2012 and is upgraded, manageability capabilities can be lost when the Operations Manager server is also version 2012. Consider opting out of automatic provisioning if the installed Operations Manager agent is version 2012.

• If you want to avoid creation of multiple workspaces per subscription and you have your own custom workspace within the subscription, then you have two options:

  • You can opt out of automatic provisioning. After migration, set the default workspace settings as described in How can I use my existing Log Analytics workspace?

  • Or, you can allow the migration to complete, the Log Analytics agent to be installed on the VMs, and the VMs connected to the created workspace. Then, select your own custom workspace by setting the default workspace setting with opting in to reconfiguring the already installed agents. For more information, see How can I use my existing Log Analytics workspace?

When migration is complete, Defender for Cloud can't collect security data from the VM and some security recommendations and alerts are unavailable. If you opt out, install the Log Analytics agent manually. See recommended steps when opting out.

Manually install the Log Analytics agent extension so Defender for Cloud can collect security data from your VMs and provide recommendations and alerts. See agent installation for Windows VM or agent installation for Linux VM for guidance on installation.

You can connect the agent to any existing custom workspace or Defender for Cloud created workspace. If a custom workspace doesn't have the "Security" or "SecurityCenterFree" solutions enabled, you need to apply a solution. To apply, select the custom workspace and apply a pricing tier via the Environment settings > Defender plans page.

Defender for Cloud enables the correct solution on the workspace based on the selected options.

You can manually remove the Log Analytics agent but it isn't recommended. Removing OMS extensions limits Defender for Cloud's recommendations and alerts.

To manually remove the agent:

1. In the portal, open Log Analytics.

2. On the Log Analytics page, select a workspace:

3. Select the VMs that you don't want to monitor and select Disconnect.

   

Yes. Microsoft Defender for Cloud uses Azure Monitor to collect data from Azure VMs and servers, using the Log Analytics agent. To collect the data, each VM and server must connect to the Internet using HTTPS. The connection can be direct, using a proxy, or through the OMS Gateway.

The agent consumes a nominal amount of system resources and should have little effect on the performance. For more information on performance effect and the agent and extension, see the planning and operations guide.

No. Agentless scanning doesn't scan deallocated VMs.

Yes. Agentless scanning scans both OS Disk and Data Disks.

The time of the day is dynamic and can change across different account and subscriptions.

In AWS, the operations on the customer account are traceable through CloudTrail.

Agentless scanning collects data similar to the data an agent collects to perform the same analysis. Raw data, PIIs or sensitive business data isn't collected, and only metadata results are sent to Defender for Cloud.

AgentlessThe analysis of the snapshots takes place in secure environments managed by Defender for Cloud.

The scanning environment where disks are analyzed is volatile, isolated, and highly secure.

Agentless scanning platform is audited & compliant with Microsoft’s strict security and privacy standards. Some of the measures taken are (not a comprehensive list):

• Physical isolation per region, additional isolation per customer and subscription​
• E2E encryption at rest and transit​
• Disk snapshots immediately purged after scan​
• Only metadata (i.e. security findings) leaves the isolated scanning environment​
• The scanning environment is autonomous​
• All operations are internally audited

Agentless scanning is included in Defender Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Defender for Servers P2 plans. No other costs incur to Defender for Cloud when enabling it.

There's a 500-MB free data ingestion for each workspace. It's calculated per node, per reported workspace, per day, and available for every workspace that has a 'Security' or 'AntiMalware' solution installed. You're charged for any data ingested over the 500-MB limit.

Workspaces created by Defender for Cloud, while configured for Azure Monitor logs per node billing, don't incur Azure Monitor logs charges. Defender for Cloud billing is always based on your Defender for Cloud security policy and the solutions installed on a workspace:

• Enhanced security off - Defender for Cloud enables the "SecurityCenterFree" solution on the default workspace. There are no charges when there are no Defender plans enabled.

• All Microsoft Defender for Cloud plans enabled - Defender for Cloud enables the "Security" solution on the default workspace.

For pricing details in your local currency or region, see the pricing page.

The location of the default workspace depends on your Azure region:

• For VMs in China, the workspace location is China

Deleting the default workspace isn't recommended. Defender for Cloud uses the default workspaces to store security data from your VMs. If you delete a workspace, Defender for Cloud is unable to collect this data and some security recommendations and alerts are unavailable.

To recover, remove the Log Analytics agent on the VMs connected to the deleted workspace. Defender for Cloud reinstalls the agent and creates new default workspaces.

If a VM already has the Log Analytics agent installed as an Azure extension, Defender for Cloud doesn't override the existing workspace connection. Instead, Defender for Cloud uses the existing workspace. The VM is protected if the "Security" or "SecurityCenterFree" solution has been installed on the workspace to which it's reporting.

A Defender for Cloud solution is installed on the workspace selected in the Data Collection screen if not present already, and the solution is applied only to the relevant VMs. When you add a solution, it's automatically deployed by default to all Windows and Linux agents connected to your Log Analytics workspace. Solution Targeting allows you to apply a scope to your solutions.

When Defender for Cloud identifies that a VM is already connected to a workspace you created, Defender for Cloud enables solutions on this workspace according to your pricing configuration. The solutions are applied only to the relevant resources, via solution targeting, so the billing remains the same.

• No Defender plans are enabled - Defender for Cloud installs the "SecurityCenterFree" solution on the workspace and you aren't billed for it.

• Enable all Microsoft Defender plans - Defender for Cloud installs the 'Security' solution on the workspace.

  

If a VM already has the Log Analytics agent installed as an Azure extension, Defender for Cloud uses the existing connected workspace. A Defender for Cloud solution is installed on the workspace if not present already, and the solution is applied only to the relevant VMs via solution targeting.

When Defender for Cloud installs the Log Analytics agent on VMs, it uses the default workspaces created by Defender for Cloud if it's not pointed to an existing workspace.

The Security & Audit solution is used to enable Microsoft Defender for Servers. If the Security & Audit solution is already installed on a workspace, Defender for Cloud uses the existing solution. There's no change in billing.

Next steps

Learn about how Defender for Cloud collects data