Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft Defender for Cloud – Part 2: Overcoming ARG 1000-Record Limit (2024)

In our previous blog, we explored how Power BI can complement Azure Workbook for consuming and visualizing data from Microsoft Defender for Cloud (MDC). In this second installment of our series, we dive into a common limitation faced when working with Azure Resource Graph (ARG) data – the 1000-record limit – and how Power BI can effectively address this constraint to enhance your data analysis and security insights.

The 1000-Record Limit: A Bottleneck in Data Analysis

When querying Azure Resource Graph (ARG) programmatically or using tools like Azure Workbook, users often face a limitation where the results are truncated to 1000 records. This limitation can be problematic for environments with extensive data, such as those with numerous subscriptions or complex resource configurations. Notably, this limit does not apply when accessing data through the Azure Portal's built-in Azure Resource Graph Explorer, where users can query and view larger datasets without restriction. This difference can create a significant bottleneck for organizations relying on programmatic access to ARG data for comprehensive analysis.

Power BI and ARG Data Connector: Breaking Through the Limit

One of the key advantages of using Power BI's ARG data connector is its ability to bypass the 1000-record limit imposed by Azure Workbook and other similar tools. By leveraging Power BI's capabilities, users can access and visualize a comprehensive dataset without the constraints that typically come with ARG queries.

The Power BI ARG data connector provides a robust solution by enabling the extraction of larger datasets, which allows for more detailed and insightful analysis. This feature is particularly useful for organizations with extensive resource configurations and security plans, as it facilitates a deeper understanding of their security posture.

Case Study: Porting the MDC Security Plans Coverage Workbook to Power BI

To illustrate the benefits of using Power BI to overcome the 1000-record limit, let's walk through a practical example. We'll use a Power BI report that ports the existing MDC workbook on Security Plans Coverage. This report showcases how Power BI can provide a more granular view of security plans across an organization.

1. Setting Up the Power BI Report

To make it easier for you to get started with enhancing your MDC insights, we have developed an actual Power BI report, which you can access via our GitHub repository at https://aka.ms/AArnksi. Here’s how you can set it up and start using it:

Download the Report: Navigate to the GitHub repository and download the Power BI report template file. This report has been pre-configured to connect to Azure Resource Graph and includes various visualizations to help you analyze your security plans coverage.

Connect to Azure Resource Graph:

• Open the downloaded Power BI report template file in Power BI Desktop.
• When prompted, authenticate with your Azure credentials to establish a connection to your Azure Resource Graph.
• Ensure that the necessary permissions are in place for accessing the required ARG data.

Import Data:

• The Power BI report is set up to query ARG data and import the full dataset, bypassing the 1000-record limit. You can modify the queries if needed to suit your specific requirements.
• Review the imported data to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Create and Customize Visualizations:

• The report includes various pre-built visualizations such as tables, charts, and maps to comprehensively represent the Security Plans Coverage.
• You can customize these visualizations or add new ones to tailor the report to your organization's specific needs. This allows you to highlight key metrics and insights relevant to your security posture.

Next sample images of the report:

By using this pre-configured Power BI report, you can quickly overcome the 1000-record limit and gain deeper insights into your security plans across multiple subscriptions and resources. The detailed visualizations provide a clear and actionable view of your security coverage, enabling you to make informed decisions and enhance your organization's security posture.

2. Enhancing Security Insights

Detailed Coverage Analysis: Use Power BI to display a detailed view of security plans across multiple subscriptions and resources. This allows for a more thorough analysis compared to the truncated data typically seen in Azure Workbook. For instance, you can drill down into specific subscription or multi cloud connector to identify gaps in security coverage.

Custom Reporting: Tailor your report to include custom metrics and KPIs that are specific to your organization’s security requirements, providing actionable insights that drive informed decision-making. This customization ensures that the report aligns with your unique security policies and compliance standards.

3. Sharing and Collaboration

Publish and Share: Once your report is complete, publish it to the Power BI service for sharing with stakeholders. This ensures that key decision-makers have access to the comprehensive data needed for strategic planning. By making the report accessible to a broader audience, you can facilitate informed discussions and decision-making processes.

Collaborate: Utilize Power BI’s collaboration features to gather feedback and make data-driven adjustments to your security plans. This collaborative approach helps in continuously improving the security posture based on real-time insights and stakeholder input.

Conclusion

By leveraging Power BI's ARG data connector, organizations can overcome the limitations of the 1000-record constraint and gain deeper insights into their security posture. This approach not only enhances the visibility of security plans coverage but also empowers teams with the data they need to ensure robust security management.

Stay tuned for the next installment in our blog series, where we'll continue to explore advanced techniques and best practices for integrating Power BI with Microsoft Defender for Cloud.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud Additional Resources

• Download the new Microsoft CNAPP eBook at aka.ms/MSCNAPP
• Become a Defender for Cloud Ninja by taking the assessment at aka.ms/MDCNinja

Reviewers

Yuri Diogenes, Principal PM Manager, CxE Defender for Cloud

Tal Rosler, Senior PM lead, Microsoft Defender for Cloud