2026-03 - 9

2026 (12)

March (12)

azure: [Launched] General availability: Azure SQL updates for mid-March 2026

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

Azure SQL received mid-March 2026 updates including direct publishing of SQL database projects from Visual Studio Code and the ability to view and edit SQL table data directly in MSSQ.

azure: [Launched] Generally Available: GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio 22

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

GitHub Copilot is now generally available in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 22. It adds AI-powered assistance inside SSMS, including natural-language help to develop, explain, and fix SQL-related tasks.

azure: [In preview] Public Preview: SQL MCP Server

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

Azure announced a public preview of SQL MCP Server, an MCP connector for production databases. It is part of Data API Builder and is intended to provide a simple, predictable, and secure way to connect AI agents to data workflows.

azure: [In preview] Public preview: GitHub Copilot integration in Schema Designer for the MSSQL extension

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

The MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code adds a public preview of GitHub Copilot integration in Schema Designer. This expands the visual schema design workflow with AI-assisted help based on developer feedback.

azure: [In preview] Public Preview: Database DevOps in SSMS powered by SQL projects

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

SQL Database Projects are now in public preview in SSMS, bringing schema-as-code workflows for database development. The preview supports source-controlled schemas, repeatable deployments, and code quality checks in the development process.

k8s: Securing Production Debugging in Kubernetes

Kubernetes Official Blog

2026-03-18

The post recommends securing production Kubernetes debugging with least-privilege RBAC, short-lived identity-bound credentials, and a just-in-time access gateway instead of shared bastions, cluster-admin access, or long-lived SSH keys. It outlines practical patterns for namespace-scoped roles, group-based bindings, OIDC or client-certificate auth, and gateway-mediated sessions with audit logging and automatic expiration.

azure: [Launched] Generally Available: Versionless key support for transparent data encryption in Azure SQL Database

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

Azure SQL Database now supports versionless keys for transparent data encryption (TDE). This removes the need to reference a specific key version in Azure Key Vault or Managed HSM, simplifying customer-managed key setup and reducing maintenance.

azure: [Launched] Generally Available: Lakeflow Connect Free Tier now available in Azure Databricks

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

Azure Databricks has launched a Lakeflow Connect Free Tier in Azure Databricks. Each workspace gets 100 free DBUs per day for ingestion from SaaS applications and databases, which is described as supporting roughly 100 million records per workspace per day.

azure: [In preview] Public Preview: Data API builder with built-in GitHub Copilot in MSSQL extension

Azure Updates

2026-03-18

The MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code adds Data API builder in public preview with built-in GitHub Copilot integration. It provides a guided experience for generating backend APIs directly in the development workflow.

github: GPT-5.3-Codex long-term support in GitHub Copilot

GitHub

2026-03-18

GitHub introduced GPT-5.3-Codex as a long-term support (LTS) model for GitHub Copilot, aimed at giving enterprises a stable option for internal security and safety reviews. The LTS commitment is available for Copilot Business and Copilot plans.

security: Observability for AI Systems: Strengthening visibility for proactive risk detection

Microsoft Security Blog

2026-03-18

The post says observability is becoming necessary as AI systems become more autonomous, because visibility into AI behavior can help detect risk earlier and support secure development. It is presented as a Microsoft Security Blog article focused on proactive risk detection.

aks: Release Notes - 2026-03-05

Release notes from AKS

2026-03-18

AKS released new Kubernetes patch versions, updated several components and node images, and introduced/expanded features including OTLP gRPC support for Azure Monitor Profile, GA auto-instrumentation, and broader Azure Linux GPU and KAITO support. It also announced deprecations and behavior changes, including retirement dates for Flatcar preview support and deprecation of Kubernetes LTS 1.28.