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OpenOps provides Azure custom role definitions to create RBAC roles in your Azure subscriptions with the necessary permissions to run benchmark assessments and collect cost optimization data.

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Available Custom Roles

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OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader

Creates the OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader custom role with read-only permissions for running Azure cost optimization benchmarks. This role includes:
  • Compute resources: Virtual machines, managed disks, snapshots, and images
  • Networking: Network interfaces and public IP addresses
  • App Services: Web apps, App Service Plans, and App Service Environments
  • Databases: Azure SQL servers, databases, and elastic pools
  • Cost and billing: Cost Management queries, consumption usage details, and billing properties
  • Monitoring: Azure Monitor metrics
  • Optimization: Azure Advisor recommendations and metadata
Download Bicep template | Download JSON template Parameters: AssignableScopes (required)

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Installation Steps

Before creating the custom role, you must configure the AssignableScopes parameter to specify where this role can be assigned.

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Configure AssignableScopes

Choose the appropriate scope for your deployment:
JSON:
"AssignableScopes": [
  "/subscriptions/11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"
]
Bicep parameter:
--parameters assignableScopes='["/subscriptions/11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"]'
Use this when you want the role available in specific subscriptions but not across the entire management group.JSON:
"AssignableScopes": [
  "/subscriptions/11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111",
  "/subscriptions/22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222",
  "/subscriptions/33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333"
]
Bicep parameter:
--parameters assignableScopes='["/subscriptions/11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111","/subscriptions/22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222","/subscriptions/33333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333"]'
Use this only if you want the custom role available across the entire management group scope.JSON:
"AssignableScopes": [
  "/providers/Microsoft.Management/managementGroups/my-management-group"
]
Bicep parameter:
--parameters assignableScopes='["/providers/Microsoft.Management/managementGroups/my-management-group"]'
  1. Update the assignableScopes parameter in the command below with your subscription ID(s):
az deployment sub create \
  --name openops-azure-benchmark-reader-role \
  --location westus2 \
  --template-file "./OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader.role-definition.bicep" \
  --parameters assignableScopes='["/subscriptions/<subscription-id>"]'
  1. For multiple subscriptions:
az deployment sub create \
  --name openops-azure-benchmark-reader-role \
  --location westus2 \
  --template-file "./OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader.role-definition.bicep" \
  --parameters assignableScopes='["/subscriptions/sub-1","/subscriptions/sub-2"]'
Notes:

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Option 2: Deploy with Azure CLI and JSON

  1. Edit the AssignableScopes field in OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader.role-definition.json with your subscription ID(s).
  2. Create the role: 
az role definition create \
  --role-definition "./OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader.role-definition.json"
  1. To update an existing role:
az role definition update \
  --role-definition "./OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader.role-definition.json"

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Assign the Role to a Service Principal

After creating the custom role, assign it to the service principal that OpenOps uses to connect to Azure.

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Assign at subscription scope

az role assignment create \
  --assignee-object-id "<service-principal-object-id>" \
  --assignee-principal-type ServicePrincipal \
  --role "OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader" \
  --scope "/subscriptions/11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"

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Assign in multiple subscriptions

Run the assignment once per subscription: 
az role assignment create \
  --assignee-object-id "<service-principal-object-id>" \
  --assignee-principal-type ServicePrincipal \
  --role "OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader" \
  --scope "/subscriptions/11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111"

az role assignment create \
  --assignee-object-id "<service-principal-object-id>" \
  --assignee-principal-type ServicePrincipal \
  --role "OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader" \
  --scope "/subscriptions/22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222"

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Assign at management group scope

az role assignment create \
  --assignee-object-id "<service-principal-object-id>" \
  --assignee-principal-type ServicePrincipal \
  --role "OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader" \
  --scope "/providers/Microsoft.Management/managementGroups/my-management-group"

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Verification

Verify the role definition was created: 
az role definition list \
  --name "OpenOps Azure Benchmark Reader" \
  -o json
Check role assignments for your service principal: 
az role assignment list \
  --assignee "<service-principal-object-id>" \
  --all \
  -o table

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Cost Management Access

For subscription-scope cost queries, the role includes Microsoft.CostManagement/query/action for the POST query API. Azure Cost Management access commonly requires related read permissions in billing and cost surfaces. This role includes:
  • Microsoft.CostManagement/query/action
  • Microsoft.CostManagement/*/read
  • Microsoft.Consumption/*/read
  • Microsoft.Billing/billingPeriods/read
  • Microsoft.Billing/billingProperty/read
  • Microsoft.Resources/subscriptions/read
  • Microsoft.Resources/subscriptions/resourceGroups/read
If you update the role and still get RBACAccessDenied, wait a few minutes and retry. Azure RBAC propagation is not always immediate.For subscriptions under EA or certain billing setups, cost visibility may also depend on billing-side settings such as view charges access.

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Important Notes

  • AssignableScopes is required for all Azure custom roles
  • A management group is above subscriptions in the Azure hierarchy
  • If you use multiple subscriptions in AssignableScopes, the role is limited to those subscriptions only
  • Role creation requires permission to manage custom roles for every scope listed in AssignableScopes

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Modification

You’re welcome to download and modify the role definition according to your needs. Note that some OpenOps benchmark workflows may not function properly if required permissions are removed.

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Support

Feel free to join our Slack community if you have any questions or need help with your installation.