Azure Conditional Access Policy Knowledge Base

1. Overview and Purpose

• Definition: Conditional Access policies are used to enforce organizational security requirements based on specific conditions such as user location, device state, or application sensitivity.
• Purpose: To ensure that access to resources is granted based on specific conditions, thereby enhancing security and compliance.

2. Components of Conditional Access Policies

• Assignments: Define who the policy applies to (users/groups) and what it applies to (applications).
• Conditions: Specify the conditions under which the policy is enforced. Conditions can include:
  • Sign-in Risk: The risk level of the sign-in attempt.
  • Device Platforms: The operating systems of the devices used.
  • Locations: IP ranges or geographical locations.
  • Client Apps: The types of client applications used.
  • Device State: Whether the device is compliant or domain-joined.
• Controls: Actions that are taken when conditions are met, such as:
  • Grant: Require multi-factor authentication (MFA), or require a compliant or domain-joined device.
  • Block: Deny access altogether.
  • Session: Limit access with conditions such as using a compliant browser or enforcing app protection policies.

3. Creating and Managing Policies

• Policy Creation: Learn how to create and configure policies via the Azure portal.
• Policy Evaluation: Understand how policies are evaluated and the order of precedence if multiple policies apply.
• Policy Testing: Use the “What If” tool in the Azure portal to test policies before applying them.

4. Monitoring and Reporting

• Sign-in Logs: Review sign-in logs to see how policies are affecting user access.
• Policy Reports: Monitor policy impact and effectiveness through built-in reporting tools.

5. Best Practices

• Least Privilege: Apply policies that follow the principle of least privilege.
• User Experience: Ensure that policies don’t overly disrupt the user experience.
• Policy Scope: Be specific about which users and applications the policy applies to avoid unintended access issues.

6. Integration and Compatibility

• Azure AD: Conditional Access is part of Azure Active Directory.
• Third-Party Apps: Understand how Conditional Access integrates with third-party applications and services.
• Hybrid Environments: Know how Conditional Access policies work in hybrid environments with on-premises and cloud resources.

7. Common Scenarios

• MFA Enforcement: Requiring MFA for access to sensitive applications.
• Access Control: Restricting access based on device compliance or network location.
• Application Access: Applying policies to manage access to specific applications or services.

8. Compliance and Security

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure policies support compliance with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
• Security Threats: Address common security threats by configuring appropriate policies.