---
title: Network interfaces with public IP
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
  Security > IaC Security Rules > Network interfaces with public IP
---

# Network interfaces with public IP

{% callout %}
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## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**Id:** `terraform-azure-network-interfaces-with-public-ip` 

**Provider:** Azure

**Platform:** Terraform

**Severity:** Medium

**Category:** Networking and Firewall

#### Learn More{% #learn-more %}

- [Provider Reference](https://registry.terraform.io/providers/hashicorp/azurerm/latest/docs/resources/network_interface#public_ip_address_id)

### Description{% #description %}

Exposing network interfaces with a public IP address in Terraform (`public_ip_address_id` attribute) can introduce significant security risks, as it enables direct access from the internet to associated resources, increasing the attack surface for unauthorized access and attacks. If a public IP is required, additional controls and security baselines should be strictly enforced to minimize exposure. To enhance security, network interfaces should be defined without the `public_ip_address_id` field, as shown below:

```
resource "azurerm_network_interface" "secure" {
  name                = "example-nic"
  location            = azurerm_resource_group.example.location
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name

  ip_configuration {
    name                          = "internal"
    subnet_id                     = azurerm_subnet.example.id
    private_ip_address_allocation = "Dynamic"
  }
}
```

## Compliant Code Examples{% #compliant-code-examples %}

```terraform
resource "azurerm_network_interface" "negative" {
  name                = "example-nic"
  location            = azurerm_resource_group.example.location
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name

  ip_configuration {
    name                          = "internal"
    subnet_id                     = azurerm_subnet.example.id
    private_ip_address_allocation = "Dynamic"
  }
}
```

## Non-Compliant Code Examples{% #non-compliant-code-examples %}

```terraform
resource "azurerm_network_interface" "positive" {
  name                = "example-nic"
  location            = azurerm_resource_group.example.location
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name

  ip_configuration {
    name                          = "internal"
    subnet_id                     = azurerm_subnet.example.id
    private_ip_address_allocation = "Dynamic"
    public_ip_address_id          = "IP"
  }
}
```