Expanding the Azure Local Security Ecosystem with IBM QRadar and Splunk

As regulations become stricter and the need for control over data and infrastructure rises, we’re witnessing a growing interest in Azure Local. This trend is particularly evident among governments, critical infrastructure providers, defense organisations, and industries with specific compliance needs, all looking to harness cloud capabilities within environments they manage themselves.

These organisations often have distinct operational and compliance requirements. Some function in tightly regulated landscapes with stringent rules on how data can move, while others demand security operations that seamlessly integrate with their existing investments and established processes.

Today, I’m excited to share that we’ve launched two new security monitoring integrations for Azure Local with IBM QRadar and Splunk. These enhancements allow organisations to incorporate security signals from Azure Local into their existing security operations platforms, improving their monitoring and investigation workflows while retaining the tools their teams are accustomed to.

Security has always been a core principle of Azure Local. We also understand that many of our clients have already developed robust security operations processes. As Azure Local evolves into new sectors and environments, the integration with these established security measures becomes increasingly vital.

By partnering closely with IBM QRadar and Splunk, we’re significantly enhancing the ecosystem for Azure Local customers. This enables them to seamlessly incorporate Azure Local security signals into their established monitoring and investigation workflows. Consequently, organisations can continue using their preferred tools while benefiting from Azure Local’s capabilities.

Azure Local includes robust security features built right into the platform. These include security baselines aligned with CIS and DISA STIG, BitLocker encryption, Microsoft Defender Antivirus, and Attack Surface Reduction to safeguard data and minimise risks. Moreover, Azure Local generates valuable security-related audit logs and alerts that work alongside partner security solutions for effective monitoring and investigation.

Whether clients are modernising their current infrastructure, setting up new sovereign private cloud environments, or extending their security operations into Azure Local, these integrations simplify the adoption process by leveraging familiar technologies.

“As organisations venture into sovereign and disconnected environments, security operations must evolve to meet emerging demands. Our collaboration with Microsoft brings QRadar’s established SIEM capabilities to Azure Local, offering a powerful, integrated approach to security operations. This setup allows security teams to work with comprehensive visibility and swift responses while maintaining the required control and isolation.”

Cathal O’Donovan – Director of Threat Management, IBM

“Organizations in sovereign and isolated environments require adaptive security operations that don’t compromise visibility or flexibility. Through our partnership with Microsoft, Splunk is integrating its data platform and analytics into Azure Local, empowering security teams with operational insights, faster investigations, and more effective responses in highly regulated scenarios. Together, we are fostering a more flexible and resilient security operations approach where connectivity, sovereignty, and operational continuity are essential.”

Jason Conger, Field CTO, Splunk, a Cisco company

Microsoft is actively collaborating with partners across additional security arenas, including endpoint detection and response, vulnerability management, and container security, to broaden customer options in the future. These integrations highlight our commitment to enhancing the broader security ecosystem for Azure Local and Sovereign Private Cloud deployments.

If you’d like to find out more about Azure Local and these exciting partner integrations, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Microsoft account team. If your organisation is interested in exploring partnership opportunities, please contact [email protected].