# Analyzing Azure Activity Logs For Threats

> Queries Azure Monitor activity logs and sign-in logs via azure-monitor-query to detect suspicious administrative operations, impossible travel, privilege escalation, and resource modifications.

- Skill: `mukul975/analyzing-azure-activity-logs-for-threats` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add mukul975/analyzing-azure-activity-logs-for-threats`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/mukul975/analyzing-azure-activity-logs-for-threats/raw
- Safety review: CAUTION (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security, DevOps & Infra, Cloud Platforms, Incident Response
- Tags: Activity Logs, Azure, Azure Monitor, Kql, Log Analytics, Security Monitoring, Threat Hunting
- License: Apache-2.0
- Author: mukul975 (https://skillmd.com/u/mukul975)
- Updated: 2026-07-06
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/mukul975/analyzing-azure-activity-logs-for-threats

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# Analyzing Azure Activity Logs for Threats


## When to Use

- When investigating security incidents that require analyzing azure activity logs for threats
- When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
- When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
- When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques

## Prerequisites

- Familiarity with security operations concepts and tools
- Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
- Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
- Appropriate authorization for any testing activities

## Instructions

Use azure-monitor-query to execute KQL queries against Azure Log Analytics workspaces,
detecting suspicious admin operations and sign-in anomalies.

```python
from azure.identity import DefaultAzureCredential
from azure.monitor.query import LogsQueryClient
from datetime import timedelta

credential = DefaultAzureCredential()
client = LogsQueryClient(credential)

response = client.query_workspace(
    workspace_id="WORKSPACE_ID",
    query="AzureActivity | where OperationNameValue has 'MICROSOFT.AUTHORIZATION/ROLEASSIGNMENTS/WRITE' | take 10",
    timespan=timedelta(hours=24),
)
```

Key detection queries:
1. Role assignment changes (privilege escalation)
2. Resource group and subscription modifications
3. Key vault secret access from new IPs
4. Network security group rule changes
5. Conditional access policy modifications

## Examples

```python
# Detect new Global Admin role assignments
query = '''
AuditLogs
| where OperationName == "Add member to role"
| where TargetResources[0].modifiedProperties[0].newValue has "Global Administrator"
'''
```