Azure Active Directory Conditional Access

Empower Your Security with Intelligent Access Control

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) Conditional Access is a powerful identity governance solution that provides a centralized place to enforce organizational policies for access to cloud apps and resources. It enables you to manage access by granting or blocking access to Azure AD resources based on conditions.

By combining Azure AD identities, sign-in risk, user risk, device state, location, and application, you can create intelligent, automated access control policies that protect your organization's data and resources.

Key Capabilities

Core Policy Components

1. Assignments

Define who the policy applies to. This can include:

• Users and groups: Target specific users, security groups, or all users.
• Cloud apps or actions: Specify which applications or actions the policy affects (e.g., Microsoft 365, Azure portal).

2. Conditions

Define when the policy is enforced. Common conditions include:

• Sign-in risk: Apply policies based on the detected risk of a sign-in attempt.
• User risk: Respond to users identified as high risk by Identity Protection.
• Device platforms: Target specific operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
• Locations: Restrict access based on network location (trusted IP addresses, specific countries).
• Client applications: Differentiate access for browser-based apps versus mobile/desktop apps.
• Device state: Require devices to be marked as hybrid Azure AD joined or compliant.

3. Access Controls

Define what happens when the conditions are met. Grant or block access with controls such as:

• Grant access:
  • Require multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Require device to be marked as compliant.
  • Require hybrid Azure AD joined device.
  • Require approved client application.
  • Require app protection policy.
  • Require password change (for risky users).
• Block access: Directly deny access.
• Session controls: Apply granular controls like sign-in frequency or persistent browser sessions.

Getting Started with Conditional Access

Implementing Conditional Access policies is a crucial step in securing your digital environment. Here's a high-level overview of the process:

1. Identify critical resources: Determine which applications and data are most sensitive and require strong protection.
2. Understand your users and devices: Analyze user behavior, device types, and locations to inform policy creation.
3. Start with reporting mode: Initially, deploy policies in "Report-only" mode to understand their impact without enforcing them.
4. Implement common policies: Consider policies like requiring MFA for all users, enforcing device compliance, or restricting access from untrusted locations.
5. Iterate and refine: Continuously monitor policy effectiveness and user feedback to make adjustments.

Leverage Azure AD's built-in templates and best practices to accelerate your security strategy.

Example Policy: Require MFA for All Users Accessing Cloud Apps

This is a foundational policy for most organizations.

Dive Deeper

Explore the full potential of Azure AD Conditional Access and discover how to tailor policies to your organization's unique needs.