In the given scenario of using Microsoft Defender for AWS, does onboarding virtual machines to Azure Arc effectively enable monitoring?

Onboarding virtual machines to Azure Arc does indeed enable monitoring through Microsoft Defender for Cloud. By connecting your AWS virtual machines to Azure Arc, you extend the capabilities of Microsoft Defender for Cloud to those resources, allowing you to benefit from enhanced security management and monitoring features.

Azure Arc works by providing a bridge between Azure services and resources located outside of Azure, like those hosted on AWS. Once the virtual machines are onboarded, you can apply policies, perform assessments, and gain visibility into the security posture of those machines. This integration allows you to utilize security features such as threat protection, security recommendations, and resource inventory, which are pivotal for managing security across a multi-cloud environment.

In summary, by using Azure Arc to manage those AWS virtual machines, organizations can effectively incorporate them into their overall security strategy, ensuring consistent monitoring and security practices across diverse infrastructures.