The principle of least privilege requires assigning the minimum permissions necessary to perform a task. The Security Admin role (User2) has sufficient permissions to manage security policies, view security states, and apply security configurations in Microsoft Defender for Cloud. This includes enabling Defender plans like Defender for Servers (Microsoft.Security/pricings/write permission) and remediating security recommendations, such as enabling vulnerability scans. The Security Reader role (User1) has read-only access and cannot make any configuration changes. The Owner (User3) and Contributor (User4) roles are overly permissive for these specific security tasks. Therefore, the Security Admin role is the correct choice for both tasks as it adheres to the principle of least privilege.

1. Microsoft Learn

"Permissions in Microsoft Defender for Cloud": This document outlines the roles and permissions for managing Defender for Cloud.

Under the "Roles and allowed actions" table

it specifies that Security Admin can "Edit security policy

apply recommendations". This covers enabling vulnerability scans. It also states

"To enable Defender for Cloud plans on a subscription

you must be assigned the role of Subscription Owner

Subscription Contributor

or Security Admin." This confirms Security Admin is the least-privileged role for enabling Defender for Servers.

2. Microsoft Learn

"Azure built-in roles - Security Admin": This page details the specific permissions for the Security Admin role.

The role includes the Microsoft.Security/ permission

which grants full control over security configurations within the Microsoft.Security resource provider

including enabling plans and configuring vulnerability assessments

without granting excessive permissions to manage other Azure resources.

3. Microsoft Learn

"Azure built-in roles - Security Reader": This page details the permissions for the Security Reader role.

The permissions listed are all read-only (e.g.

Microsoft.Security/policies/read

Microsoft.Security/pricings/read)

confirming that this role can view settings but cannot enable any features.