Azure Automation TLS 1.0/1.1 Deprecation: What It Means and How to Prepare
If you’re running scripts or runbooks inside Azure Automation, there’s a TLS change on the horizon that could break things quietly—and without much warning.
Starting March 1, 2025, Microsoft is officially dropping support for TLS 1.0 and 1.1 in Azure Automation. This includes any code running in cloud-based runbooks, hybrid worker jobs, and integrations relying on HTTPS.
So, what does that mean for you? Let’s break it down.
Why TLS 1.0/1.1 Are Being Deprecated
TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are ancient by today’s security standards—originally released in 1999 and 2006, respectively. These protocols are vulnerable to several known attacks (e.g., POODLE, BEAST) and are no longer compliant with modern frameworks like:
- PCI DSS 4.0
- NIST SP 800-52r2
- HIPAA Security Rule
Most modern clients and APIs have already transitioned to TLS 1.2 or 1.3, so Microsoft is cleaning house—and Azure Automation is next in line.
What Services Are Affected?
The change specifically impacts:
- Azure Automation Runbooks (PowerShell or Python)
- Hybrid Runbook Workers in on-prem environments
- Webhooks and HTTP APIs called from within runbooks
- Modules or scripts that use .NET networking or PowerShell cmdlets like
Invoke-RestMethodorInvoke-WebRequest
If any of these components are configured to use TLS 1.0 or 1.1—either by default or explicitly—they’ll stop working after March 1.
How to Prepare (Before It Breaks Something Important)
1. Review All API Dependencies
If your runbooks interact with third-party services, verify those endpoints support TLS 1.2+. Common examples include:
- Ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow, Zendesk)
- Email APIs (SendGrid, SMTP relays)
- Custom REST services
Test them manually with PowerShell or curl using TLS 1.2 to confirm.
2. Validate Hybrid Worker Configuration
If you’re using Hybrid Runbook Workers, TLS settings are inherited from the underlying OS. Make sure:
- Windows is patched (ideally Server 2016 or newer)
- TLS 1.2 is enabled and default on the OS
- Legacy registry keys aren’t enforcing TLS 1.0/1.1
You can use tools like IISCrypto or custom DSC scripts to audit TLS settings on your hybrid nodes.
3. Audit Older Modules
Any module uploaded to Azure Automation before ~2020 might still contain:
- Hardcoded TLS configurations
- Outdated .NET libraries
- Deprecated endpoints
Re-import or update those modules to ensure compatibility with TLS 1.2+. If you’re unsure, download the module package and inspect the networking code.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
- Runbooks may silently fail—especially if you have no error handling.
- Hybrid workers may throw exceptions if default TLS versions are blocked.
- Third-party API calls might fail if they enforce modern TLS but your client tries using deprecated versions.
This can lead to missed automation, unexecuted compliance jobs, or worse— a false sense of security that “everything ran fine.”
Timeline Recap
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2025 | Azure Automation blocks TLS 1.0 and 1.1 traffic |
| Now | The ideal time to test and update runbooks |
There’s no grace period. Jobs using TLS 1.0/1.1 will not work after March 1.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those changes that feels minor—until something breaks. The good news is that TLS 1.2 has been around for years, and modern systems support it just fine. The catch is making sure your scripts, modules, and integrations are explicitly configured to use it.
So don’t wait until a job fails silently in production. Update your runbooks, test your endpoints, and make TLS 1.2 your new default—everywhere.
Other Posts on VMWherever That May Interest You:
Problems Patching 2-Node vSAN File Services Clusters
Disclaimer
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
