What initial agent is required to protect Linux servers using Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

To protect Linux servers using Microsoft Defender for Cloud, the Azure Connected Machine agent is essential. This agent is designed to facilitate the integration of Linux servers into Azure's management and security frameworks. By installing the Azure Connected Machine agent, organizations gain visibility into their security posture and can utilize Defender for Cloud's features to enable threat detection, security assessments, and compliance monitoring.

The Azure Connected Machine agent connects on-premises or virtual machines in non-Azure environments to Azure management services, allowing Defender for Cloud to manage these resources effectively. It collects telemetry data, enabling security analytics and reporting that are crucial for maintaining the security of Linux servers.

Other options, while associated with various aspects of monitoring or configuration, do not serve as the primary agent for protecting Linux servers within the framework of Microsoft Defender for Cloud. The Log Analytics agent is more focused on log data collection, the Guest Configuration extension is used for assessing compliance and enforcing configurations, and the Dependency agent is typically utilized for application dependency mapping rather than direct server protection.