To meet the principle of least privilege, the security analyst requires two distinct sets of permissions. First, the analyst needs read-only access to the Microsoft 365 security center to view alerts and security information. The Azure AD Security Reader role is the most appropriate for this, as it grants global read-only access to security features without allowing any changes.

Second, to "approve and reject pending actions" specifically within Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, the analyst needs the Active remediation actions role. This is a granular permission within the Defender for Endpoint role-based access control (RBAC) settings that specifically allows taking response actions on devices, without granting broader administrative rights. This combination provides the exact permissions needed for the specified tasks.

A. the Compliance Data Administrator in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD): This role is focused on managing compliance features like data loss prevention and eDiscovery, not security operations or remediation actions in Defender for Endpoint.

C. the Security Administrator role in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD): This is a highly privileged role with broad read and write permissions across all Microsoft 365 security services. Assigning it would violate the principle of least privilege.

1. Microsoft Docs - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - Create and manage roles for role-based access control. This document details the granular permissions available within Defender for Endpoint. Under the "Permissions" table

the "Active remediation actions" permission is described as allowing users to "Approve or dismiss pending remediation actions."

Reference: Microsoft Learn

"Create and manage roles for role-based access control

" Permissions table.

2. Microsoft Docs - Microsoft 365 Defender - Manage access to Microsoft 365 Defender with Azure Active Directory roles. This document outlines the Azure AD roles for accessing the security portal. It states

"The Security reader role has read-only access" and is "ideal for security analysts."

Reference: Microsoft Learn

"Manage access to Microsoft 365 Defender with Azure Active Directory roles

" section "Required permissions."

3. Microsoft Docs - Azure AD built-in roles. This document provides descriptions for all Azure AD roles. It confirms that Security Administrator has excessive permissions for this task

while Security Reader is limited to viewing information.

Reference: Microsoft Learn

"Azure AD built-in roles

" sections "Security Reader" and "Security Administrator."