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The Azure Penetration Test Engineer is responsible for conducting authorized security testing against Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 environments to identify, exploit, and document security weaknesses. This role focuses on cloud-native attack paths, identity compromise, misconfigurations, and exposure risks specific to Azure infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, and SaaS workloads.
The engineer operates as a trusted advisor to security, engineering, and leadership teams by producing actionable findings, validating remediation effectiveness, and aligning testing activities with industry frameworks such as NIST, MITRE ATT&CK, and Microsoft cloud security best practices. This role requires strong hands‑on technical depth, professional reporting skills, and the ability to work independently within defined rules of engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Penetration Testing and Offensive Security
Conduct penetration tests against Azure and M365 environments, including but not limited to:
- Azure AD and Entra ID identity and access configurations
- Privileged role assignments and conditional access policies
- Azure App Services, Function Apps, Storage Accounts, SQL, Key Vault, and API endpoints
- Virtual networks, NSGs, private endpoints, service endpoints, and hybrid network integrations
- Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, and OneDrive
Simulate real‑world attacker techniques, including credential theft, token abuse, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and persistence within Azure and M365 environments.
Validate security controls implemented across Defender for Cloud, Defender for Identity, Defender for Endpoint, and Sentinel detection pipelines.
Identity and Access Attack Scenarios
Assess identity attack surfaces including:
- Service principals, managed identities, and application registrations
- OAuth consent abuse and Graph API permission misuse
- Legacy authentication exposure and password spraying susceptibility
- Privileged Identity Management configuration gaps
Demonstrate practical attack paths that result in data access, privilege escalation, or persistent control.
Reporting and Documentation
Produce clear, professional penetration test reports that include:
- Executive summaries suitable for leadership review
- Reproducible technical findings with evidence and attack chains
- Risk ratings aligned to organizational risk models
- Remediation guidance mapped to Azure and Microsoft security best practices
Present findings directly to security leadership and technical stakeholders as required.
Collaboration and Advisory Support
Work closely with:
- Security Operations teams to validate detection coverage
- Cloud engineering teams to confirm remediation feasibility
- GRC teams to align findings with compliance requirements such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST 800‑53
Provide retesting and validation support following remediation efforts.
Continuous Improvement
Stay current on emerging Azure attack techniques, Microsoft security platform changes, and cloud exploitation research.
Contribute to internal penetration testing methodologies, tooling, and runbooks.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of professional penetration testing or offensive security experience
- Strong hands‑on experience testing Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 environments
- Deep understanding of Azure AD and Entra ID security models
- Proficiency with common penetration testing tools and techniques, including PowerShell, Azure CLI, Graph API, and cloud‑specific testing frameworks
- Strong knowledge of networking fundamentals, identity protocols, and authentication flows
- Demonstrated ability to write high‑quality technical and executive‑level reports
Preferred Qualifications
- Relevant certifications such as OSCP, AZ‑500, SC‑100, CRTO, or equivalent
- Experience in consulting, MSSP, or regulated enterprise environments
- Familiarity with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR telemetry
- Experience aligning penetration testing findings to NIST AI RMF, NIST CSF, or MITRE ATT&CK Cloud Matrix
Competencies and Attributes
- High degree of professional judgment and ethical responsibility
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to operate independently within defined rules of engagement
- Methodical and evidence‑driven testing approach
- Strong attention to detail and risk prioritization
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