azure-policy

# Azure Policy Skill This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Policy. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities. ## How to Use This Skill > **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file > **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md) This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content: - **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown. - **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown. ## Category Index | Category | Lines | Description | |----------|-------|-------------| | Troubleshooting | L36-L44 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure Policy non-compliance and common errors, plus troubleshooting Azure Machine Configuration deployments and Linux/Windows guest configuration agents. | | Best Practices | L45-L52 | Best practices for safely testing and deploying Azure Policy and Machine/Guest Configuration, including PSDSC behavior changes, impact evaluation, and safe rollout strategies. | | Decision Making | L53-L60 | Guidance on planning migrations from DSC/Automanage to Machine Configuration/Azure Policy and choosing recommended policy definitions for managing and securing VMs. | | Architecture & Design Patterns | L61-L65 | Designing Azure Policy-as-Code workflows, integrating with CI/CD, GitOps, and approvals, and structuring policy repos, environments, and automation for scalable governance. | | Security | L66-L170 | Using Azure Policy for security/compliance: deploying security baselines, mapping to standards (CIS, NIST, ISO, PCI, FedRAMP, etc.), and enforcing regulatory and MFA requirements. | | Configuration | L171-L210 | Designing, assigning, and managing Azure Policy and Machine Configuration: JSON structures, effects, guest config packages, compliance data, remediation, tags, identities, and exemptions. | | Integrations & Coding Patterns | L211-L240 | Patterns for writing reusable Azure Policy definitions (operators, fields, effects, tags, initiatives) and integrating/automating them via Terraform, Kubernetes/Gatekeeper, VS Code, Event Grid, and Resource Graph | | Deployment | L241-L251 | How to deploy and assign Machine Configuration packages via ARM/Bicep/Terraform/REST, publish them to storage, export policy for policy-as-code, and enforce Azure Policy in DevOps pipelines | ### Troubleshooting | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Troubleshoot Azure Machine Configuration deployments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/overview/04-operations-troubleshooting | | Troubleshoot Azure machine configuration Linux agent problems | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/agent/linux | | Diagnose and resolve Azure machine configuration Windows agent issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/agent/windows | | Diagnose causes of Azure Policy non-compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/determine-non-compliance | | Troubleshoot common Azure Policy errors and SDK issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/troubleshoot/general | ### Best Practices | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Test Machine Configuration packages with GuestConfiguration tools | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/3-test-package | | Understand PSDSC behavior changes in Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/psdsc-in-machine-configuration | | Evaluate impact before deploying new Azure policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/concepts/evaluate-impact | | Apply safe deployment practices to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/policy-safe-deployment-practices | ### Decision Making | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Plan migration from Azure Automation DSC to Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/migrating-from-azure-automation | | Plan migration from DSC extension to Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/migrating-from-dsc-extension | | Select recommended Azure Policy definitions for VMs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/concepts/recommended-policies | | Plan migration from Automanage Best Practices to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/migrate-from-automanage-best-practices | ### Architecture & Design Patterns | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Design Azure Policy as Code governance workflows | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/concepts/policy-as-code | ### Security | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Deploy Machine Configuration security baseline policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-security-baselines/deploy-a-baseline-policy-assignment | | Customize Machine Configuration security baseline parameters | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-security-baselines/specify-custom-parameters-for-baseline-policy | | Author JSON parameters for Machine Configuration baselines | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-security-baselines/understand-baseline-settings-parameter | | Sign Machine Configuration packages and enforce signed content | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/6-sign-package | | Use regulatory compliance initiatives in Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/concepts/regulatory-compliance | | Map Australia ISM PROTECTED controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/australia-ism | | Map Australia ISM PROTECTED controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/australia-ism | | Implement Microsoft cloud security benchmark via Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/azure-security-benchmark | | Implement Microsoft cloud security benchmark via Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/azure-security-benchmark | | Map Azure Policy to Canada Federal PBMM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/canada-federal-pbmm | | Map Azure Policy to Canada Federal PBMM | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/canada-federal-pbmm | | Azure Policy mappings for CIS Azure 1.1.0 | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-1-0 | | Azure Policy mappings for CIS Azure 1.1.0 | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-1-0 | | Align CIS Azure 1.3.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-3-0 | | Align CIS Azure 1.3.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-3-0 | | Align CIS Azure 1.4.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-4-0 | | Align CIS Azure 1.4.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-4-0 | | Align CIS Azure 2.0.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-2-0-0 | | Align CIS Azure 2.0.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-2-0-0 | | Enforce CIS benchmarks on AlmaLinux via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/alma-ado | | Apply CIS benchmarks to AKS Optimized Azure Linux | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/azure-linux-ado | | Configure CIS benchmarks for Debian via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/debian-ado | | Enforce CIS benchmarks on Oracle Linux with Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/oracle-ado | | Apply CIS benchmarks to RHEL via Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/rhel-ado | | Configure CIS benchmarks for Rocky Linux in Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/rocky-ado | | Apply CIS benchmarks to SUSE Linux Enterprise | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/suse-ado | | Enforce CIS benchmarks on Ubuntu via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-linux/ubuntu-ado | | Map CMMC Level 3 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cmmc-l3 | | Map CMMC Level 3 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cmmc-l3 | | Map FedRAMP High controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-high | | Map FedRAMP High controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-high | | Map FedRAMP Moderate controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-moderate | | Map FedRAMP Moderate controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-moderate | | Implement Gov cloud security benchmark via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-azure-security-benchmark | | Implement Gov cloud security benchmark via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-azure-security-benchmark | | Use CIS Azure 1.1.0 benchmark with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cis-azure-1-1-0 | | Use CIS Azure 1.1.0 benchmark with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cis-azure-1-1-0 | | Align CIS Azure 1.3.0 (Gov) controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cis-azure-1-3-0 | | Align CIS Azure 1.3.0 (Gov) controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cis-azure-1-3-0 | | Map CMMC Level 3 (Gov) controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cmmc-l3 | | Map CMMC Level 3 (Gov) controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cmmc-l3 | | Map FedRAMP High (Gov) controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-high | | Map FedRAMP High (Gov) controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-high | | Map FedRAMP Moderate (Gov) controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-moderate | | Map FedRAMP Moderate (Gov) controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-moderate | | Implement IRS 1075 controls using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-irs-1075-sept2016 | | Implement IRS 1075 controls using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-irs-1075-sept2016 | | Map ISO 27001:2013 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-iso-27001 | | Map ISO 27001:2013 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-iso-27001 | | Align NIST SP 800-171 R2 controls with Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-171-r2 | | Align NIST SP 800-171 R2 controls with Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-171-r2 | | Map NIST SP 800-53 R4 controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-53-r4 | | Map NIST SP 800-53 R4 controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-53-r4 | | Use Azure Policy to meet NIST SP 800-53 R5 in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-53-r5 | | Use Azure Policy to meet NIST SP 800-53 R5 in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-53-r5 | | Map SOC 2 controls to Azure Policy initiatives in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-soc-2 | | Map SOC 2 controls to Azure Policy initiatives in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-soc-2 | | Apply CIS Linux security baselines with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-cis-linux | | Use Docker security baseline with Azure Policy guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-docker | | Use Linux security baseline with Azure Policy guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-linux | | Apply Windows Server security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-windows | | Apply Windows Server 2025 security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-windows-server-2025 | | Map HIPAA HITRUST controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/hipaa-hitrust | | Map HIPAA HITRUST controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/hipaa-hitrust |