Which security control is necessary to ensure only authorized applications can run on Azure virtual machines?

To ensure that only authorized applications can run on Azure virtual machines, implementing Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Conditional Access App Control policies is essential. These policies enable organizations to enforce security controls that extend beyond the traditional network perimeter and help manage access to applications based on the risk profile of users and devices.

When users attempt to access applications, Conditional Access policies can evaluate conditions such as user identity, device health, and location to determine whether to grant access to authorized applications. By leveraging this mechanism, a security architect can restrict application usage to those that meet specific criteria, thereby preventing unauthorized applications from executing within the Azure environment.

The other options do focus on security but in different contexts. Azure Security Center policies primarily deal with the overall security posture of resources and do not specifically limit the execution of applications. Azure Policy compliance ensures compliance with organizational standards and regulations, but it is broader and does not target the execution of specific applications directly. Network security group rules primarily control traffic at the network layer, allowing or denying network access based on IP addresses and ports, rather than controlling which applications can run on the virtual machines themselves.

Thus, Conditional Access App Control policies play a critical role in application-level security, making this answer the most relevant choice for restricting which applications