Microsoft Conditional Access is a powerful tool within Azure Active Directory that allows you to control access to your organization’s resources based on various conditions. Implementing the right policies is crucial for securing your data and applications in today’s increasingly complex threat landscape. This post outlines ten essential Conditional Access policies you should consider setting up to strengthen your security posture. Understanding Conditional Access Basics Before diving into the policies, it’s important to understand the core components of Conditional Access: Users and Groups: Define who the policy applies to (e.g., all users, specific groups, guest users). Cloud apps or actions: Specify which applications or actions the policy protects (e.g., all cloud apps, specific applications, user actions like registering security information). Conditions: Determine the circumstances under which the policy is enforced (e.g., device state, location, sign-in risk). Access controls: Define what happens when the conditions are met (e.g., block access, require multi-factor authentication, grant limited access). The Top 10 Policies Here are ten key Conditional Access policies you should implement:
1.Block Login Except from Certain Countries: This policy restricts access to your resources from specific geographic locations. It’s particularly useful for mitigating risks associated with logins from known malicious regions or countries where your organization doesn’t operate. How to configure: Use the “Location” condition and configure allowed countries.
2.Block Unused Device Operating Systems: This policy blocks access from outdated or unsupported operating systems that may pose security vulnerabilities. This helps ensure that users are accessing resources from devices running secure and up-to-date software. How to configure: Use the “Device platform” condition and exclude or block access from specified operating systems.
3.Require Compliant Devices: This policy enforces device compliance by requiring devices to meet certain security standards before granting access. This typically integrates with Intune and requires devices to be enrolled and compliant with defined policies (e.g., requiring a password, disk encryption, and up-to-date antivirus). How to configure: Use the “Device state” condition and require “Marked as compliant.”
4.Require Hybrid Azure AD Joined Device: This policy ensures that only devices that are Hybrid Azure AD joined can access resources. This provides greater control and visibility over devices accessing your network and helps to ensure they adhere to corporate security standards. How to configure: Use the “Device state” condition and require “Hybrid Azure AD joined.”
5.Require an App Protection Policy: This policy requires users to apply app protection policies (also known as MAM or Mobile Application Management) to access corporate data within specific applications. This is especially important for mobile devices and helps to prevent data leakage. How to configure: Use the “Client apps” condition and require an approved client app or app protection policy.
6.Block High-User Risk: This policy leverages Azure AD Identity Protection to detect and block access from users identified as having a high risk level. This risk assessment is based on various factors, such as leaked credentials, unusual travel patterns, and malware infections. How to configure: Use the “Sign-in risk” condition and configure it to block access for “High” risk.
7.Block High Sign-in Risk: Similar to the previous policy, this one focuses specifically on the sign-in risk. It blocks access attempts that are flagged as high risk by Azure AD Identity Protection. This helps to prevent unauthorized access attempts from compromised accounts. How to configure: Use the “Sign-in risk” condition and configure it to block access for “High” risk.
8.Require MFA: This is arguably one of the most important policies. Requiring multi-factor authentication significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised. How to configure: Use the “Grant” control and require multi-factor authentication. Consider requiring MFA for all users, especially administrators and privileged accounts.
9.Block Basic/Legacy Authentication: Legacy authentication protocols (like POP3, IMAP, and SMTP) don’t support modern authentication methods like MFA and are more vulnerable to credential theft. This policy blocks these older protocols, forcing users to use modern authentication. How to configure: Use the “Client apps” condition and block access for “Other clients” (which represents legacy authentication).
10.Require Password Change at Next Sign-in for Leaked Credentials: While not strictly a “block,” this policy is crucial. When Azure AD detects leaked credentials for a user, this policy forces the user to change their password at the next sign-in. This helps to quickly contain the damage from compromised credentials. This is typically configured through Identity Protection rather than a direct Conditional Access policy, but it’s a critical related setting. Testing and Implementation Before deploying any Conditional Access policy, thoroughly test it in a pilot group to ensure it doesn’t inadvertently lock out legitimate users. Use the “What If” tool in Azure AD to simulate the impact of your policies. Implement policies in stages, starting with less restrictive policies and gradually moving towards more stringent controls. Conclusion Implementing these ten Conditional Access policies will significantly enhance your organization’s security posture. Remember to regularly review and update your policies to address evolving threats and ensure they align with your business requirements. By leveraging the power of Conditional Access, you can effectively protect your valuable data and applications from unauthorized access.
