Resetting Password for Azure Virtual Machine through Azure Portal
1. Purpose: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide step-by-step instructions on how to reset the password for an Azure virtual machine (VM) using the Azure Portal.
2. Scope: This procedure applies to Azure users with appropriate permissions and access to the Azure Portal.
3. Prerequisites:
Valid Azure subscription.
Appropriate access permissions to manage virtual machines.
Access to the Azure Portal.
4. Procedure:
Step 1: Sign in to the Azure Portal
Open a web browser and navigate to the Azure Portal (portal.azure.com).
Sign in using your Azure account credentials.
Step 2: Locate the Virtual Machine
In the Azure Portal dashboard, click on "Virtual machines" in the left-hand menu.
Locate the virtual machine for which you need to reset the password and click on its name.
Step 3: Reset the Password
In the virtual machine's overview page, click on the "Reset password" button in the top menu.
Step 4: Specify New Password Details
In the "Reset password" blade, enter the new password in the "User name" and "Password" fields.
Confirm the new password by entering it again in the "Confirm password" field.
Optionally, enable the "Force password change on next login" checkbox if you want the user to change the password after the reset.
Click on the "Update" button to save the new password.
Step 5: Access the Virtual Machine
Once the password is successfully reset, note down the new password.
Use the new password to access the virtual machine either through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Secure Shell (SSH) depending on the operating system.
Step 6: Update Documentation and Notify Users
Update any relevant documentation or records to reflect the new password.
Notify the user(s) or relevant stakeholders about the password reset, providing them with the new password and any additional instructions, if applicable.
5. Notes and Best Practices:
Ensure that you have the necessary permissions and authority to perform the password reset operation.
Always follow secure password practices, including using strong, unique passwords.
Regularly review and rotate passwords to maintain security.
Consider implementing additional security measures like multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance the security of your Azure virtual machines.
Document all password reset actions and communicate them to the appropriate personnel to ensure transparency and accountability.
6. References:
Azure documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/
