AWS Shield vs Azure Security Center: What are the differences?

Introduction: In this article, we will compare the key differences between AWS Shield and Azure Security Center. These two services are provided by AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Azure (Microsoft Azure) respectively, and both are focused on enhancing the security of cloud-based environments.

1. Deployment Models: AWS Shield is specifically designed for protecting web applications running on AWS infrastructure. It offers two tiers of protection, namely AWS Shield Standard and AWS Shield Advanced. On the other hand, Azure Security Center provides security management for resources both on Azure cloud and on-premises environments. It offers unified security management across hybrid cloud deployments.

2. Focus: AWS Shield primarily focuses on protecting web applications from Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. It leverages automated monitoring and inline mitigations to provide protection against network and application layer attacks. Azure Security Center, on the other hand, provides a broader range of security capabilities including vulnerability assessment, virtual machine security, threat detection, and more.

3. Integration: AWS Shield is tightly integrated with other AWS services, such as Elastic Load Balancing, Amazon CloudFront, and Amazon Route 53. This integration allows for seamless protection of applications across multiple layers of the stack. Azure Security Center integrates with various Azure services, providing security recommendations and alerts specific to Azure resources.

4. Threat Intelligence: AWS Shield leverages extensive threat intelligence gathered from the broader AWS environment to identify and mitigate attacks. It benefits from the scale and global reach of AWS infrastructure to identify emerging threats and quickly respond to them. Azure Security Center also leverages threat intelligence, but it focuses on providing tailored recommendations and insights based on the specific resources deployed in Azure.

5. Advanced Protections: AWS Shield Advanced provides enhanced features, such as web application firewall (WAF) integration and DDoS cost protection. It also offers access to various security reports and the ability to participate in the AWS DDoS Response Team (DRT) program. Azure Security Center offers advanced threat detection capabilities, leveraging machine learning and behavioral analytics to identify suspicious activities and potential threats.

6. Pricing: AWS Shield Standard is automatically provided at no additional cost for all AWS customers. AWS Shield Advanced, with additional features, is available at a separate cost. Azure Security Center offers a free tier that includes basic security recommendations and limited threat detection capabilities. The standard tier, with additional features and advanced threat detection, is available at a separate cost.

In Summary, while both AWS Shield and Azure Security Center focus on enhancing the security of cloud-based environments, AWS Shield is primarily focused on protecting web applications from DDoS attacks, and it tightly integrates with AWS services. On the other hand, Azure Security Center provides a broader range of security capabilities, including vulnerability assessment and threat detection, and it is designed to manage security across hybrid cloud deployments.