Description: 

The 'Enable Key Rotation Reminders' setting in Azure Storage Accounts helps ensure that administrators are reminded to rotate (regenerate) the access keys at regular intervals. When enabled, Azure provides alerts or notifications to administrators to remind them to regenerate the storage account keys periodically, improving security by mitigating risks related to key exposure or compromise.

Rationale: 

Regularly rotating storage account keys is a security best practice to minimize the potential risks associated with key leaks or unauthorized access. Enabling key rotation reminders ensures that organizations maintain a proactive approach to key management, ensuring that keys are rotated on a timely basis. This is essential for compliance with security standards such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR, which emphasize key management and periodic key rotation.

Impact: 

Enabling key rotation reminders does not directly affect the functionality of the storage account but helps ensure that administrators are aware of the need to regenerate keys periodically. While this will not prevent the keys from being used, it helps organizations implement and maintain strong key management practices.

Default Value:

 By default, the 'Enable Key Rotation Reminders' setting is disabled. It must be manually enabled to receive rotation reminders for the storage account keys.

Pre-requisites:

  • Azure account: Ensure you have appropriate permissions to manage storage account settings.

  • Azure Storage Account: Ensure the storage account exists.

  • Permissions: You need appropriate permissions, such as Owner or Contributor role, to modify storage account settings.

Remediation:

Manual Implementation Steps:

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal using an account with appropriate permissions.

  2. Navigate to the Azure Storage Account:

    • In the Azure portal, go to Storage accounts.

    • Select the Storage Account for which you want to enable key rotation reminders.

  3. Go to the Access Keys settings:

    • In the left-hand menu, under Settings, click on Access keys under the "Security + networking" section.

  4. Enable Key Rotation Reminders:

    • In the Access keys page, locate the Key Rotation Reminders setting.

    • Set the Enable Key Rotation Reminders toggle to Enabled.

    • Configure the frequency and reminder duration as per your organization's policy (e.g., reminders every 30, 60, or 90 days).

  5. Save the Settings:

    • Save the changes to enable the key rotation reminders.

Best Practices for Key Rotation:

  • Set Clear Rotation Policies: Define a clear policy for key rotation and ensure that the reminder settings align with the organization's security standards (e.g., rotating keys every 30, 60, or 90 days).

  • Automate Key Rotation Where Possible: Consider automating key regeneration and the update process for applications by using Azure Key Vault or Managed Identities, reducing the manual overhead.

Backout Plan:

To disable Key Rotation Reminders:

  1. Sign in to the Azure portal with appropriate permissions.

  2. Navigate to the Azure Storage Account.

  3. Go to the Access Keys settings:

    • In the left-hand menu, under Settings, click on Access keys.

  4. Disable Key Rotation Reminders:

    • Change the Enable Key Rotation Reminders toggle to Disabled and save the changes.

References: