Tutorial / Cram Notes
Conditional Access is a tool in Microsoft 365 that allows organizations to implement automated access control decisions for accessing their cloud apps, based on conditions. Conditional Access Policies (CAPs) are at the heart of enforcing device compliance before allowing access to corporate resources.
Understanding Device Compliance Policies in Microsoft 365:
Device compliance policies are used to define the baseline security requirements that devices must meet to be considered compliant. These policies are usually tied to device health, system configurations, update status, and other security-related factors.
Steps for Planning Conditional Access Policies:
- Define the Compliance Requirements:
- Identify the minimum security requirements for devices. This may include requirements for encryption, firewall, antivirus, OS versions, and absence of jailbreak/root.
- Identify Target Resources:
- Determine which resources (like Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, etc.) need to be protected by Conditional Access.
- Select the User Groups:
- Define which user groups the policy will apply to. It could be all users, specific groups, or excluding certain administrative accounts.
- Understand Trusted Locations:
- Define network locations you trust and might want to use as a condition. This may include your corporate network or known safe locations.
- Choose Session Controls:
- Decide on session controls to enforce restrictions within the session, such as preventing download and print on non-compliant devices.
- Integrate with Other Security Tools:
- Ensure that compliance policies work in tandem with other security measures like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
- Test the Policies:
- Create test policies for a small user group before rolling out to the entire organization to ensure that the policies work as expected without hindering productivity.
Configuring Device Compliance Policies in Microsoft 365:
- Navigate to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center.
- Go to Devices > Compliance policies > Policies.
- Click “Create Policy” and select the platform.
- Configure compliance settings specific to the device platform.
- Define actions for non-compliance such as email notification or marking the device as non-compliant.
- Assign the policy to targeted user groups.
Example Compliance Settings:
| Settings | Requirement Example |
|---|---|
| OS version | Require iOS 14.0 or later/Android 10 or later |
| System Security | Require BitLocker encryption |
| Password | Require a minimum length of 6 characters |
| Device Health | Require the device to be free of jailbreak/root |
Creating Conditional Access Policies:
- Navigate to the Azure portal.
- Go to Azure Active Directory > Security > Conditional Access.
- Click “New policy”.
- Give the policy a name.
- Define the users and groups this policy will apply to in the “Assignments” section.
- In “Cloud apps or actions,” select the apps this policy will protect.
- In “Conditions,” set conditions such as device state, location, and sign-in risk.
- In “Grant,” choose ‘Require device to be marked as compliant’.
- Enable the policy by setting “Enable policy” to “On”.
- Save the policy.
Examples of Conditional Access Policy Configuration:
| Cloud App | User Group | Condition | Access Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| SharePoint Online | Sales Team | Any location (excluding trusted locations) | Require compliant device, Require MFA |
| Exchange Online | HR Department | Any location | Require compliant device |
| All Cloud Apps | All Users | Sign-in risk is high | Block access |
Evaluating Access Control:
After configuring Conditional Access Policies, organizations should review reports and logs to evaluate their effectiveness. Audit logs in Azure AD provide insights into policy application and can help identify any configuration changes that may be necessary.
Monitoring and Updating Policies:
Conditions and compliance requirements will evolve as threats and organizational needs change. Continuous monitoring and periodic reviews of the Conditional Access Policies are essential to maintain their effectiveness. Adjustments should be made as needed, with attention to new capabilities in the Microsoft 365 service, and feedback from users and security teams.
In conclusion, carefully planned and configured Conditional Access Policies will make certain that only compliant devices can access corporate resources, effectively minimizing the risk of compromised data due to insecure endpoints. With a well-structured policy, organizations can harness the full potential of mobility while safeguarding their digital assets.
Practice Test with Explanation
A Conditional Access policy can be applied to both users and groups within an organization.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Conditional Access policies can indeed be applied to users and groups to enforce specific access controls and compliance requirements.
Which of the following conditions can be used to trigger a Conditional Access policy?
- A) User risk level
- B) IP location
- C) Device compliance
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Conditional Access policies can be triggered based on user risk level, IP location, device compliance, and other conditions.
It is possible to exempt certain users from a Conditional Access policy.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Certain users can be exempt from Conditional Access policies, allowing them to bypass these policies based on specific criteria or roles.
Device compliance policies in Conditional Access do NOT require the use of Microsoft Intune.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Device compliance policies often require integration with Microsoft Intune to evaluate and enforce compliance on devices.
Conditional Access policies can enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) based on network location.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Conditional Access policies can indeed require MFA when users are accessing resources from untrusted or unknown network locations.
Conditional Access App Control uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to monitor and control access to cloud apps.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Conditional Access App Control uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (formerly Microsoft Cloud App Security) to provide real-time monitoring and control over access to cloud applications.
Which of the following actions can be taken by a Conditional Access policy when a device is found to be non-compliant?
- A) Block access
- B) Require device compliance
- C) Require a password change
- D) A and B
Answer: D) A and B
Explanation: If a device is non-compliant, a Conditional Access policy can block access and/or require the device to meet compliance before accessing the resource.
You must configure a separate Conditional Access policy for each Microsoft 365 service you want to protect.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: A single Conditional Access policy can protect multiple Microsoft 365 services simultaneously based on the conditions and controls set within the policy.
Conditional Access policies are enforced after a user has been authenticated.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Conditional Access policies evaluate several signals and are enforced after the initial user authentication is complete to provide additional security measures.
If access is blocked by a Conditional Access policy, the user can bypass this by connecting from a trusted IP address.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: If access is blocked by a Conditional Access policy due to certain conditions, simply connecting from a trusted IP address does not guarantee a bypass unless the policy is explicitly configured to consider trusted IPs as an exemption.
Interview Questions
What is conditional access in Microsoft Intune?
Conditional access is a security feature in Microsoft Intune that allows organizations to control access to corporate resources based on certain conditions being met, such as device compliance or app-based access.
What are some common ways that organizations can use conditional access in Microsoft Intune?
Some common ways that organizations can use conditional access in Microsoft Intune include requiring multi-factor authentication, enforcing device compliance policies, and restricting access based on network location.
How can conditional access policies be created in Microsoft Intune?
Conditional access policies can be created in Microsoft Intune by selecting the type of policy (such as device compliance or app-based access), configuring the policy settings, and assigning the policy to a group of users.
What are some conditions that can be used to control access to corporate resources using conditional access in Microsoft Intune?
Some conditions that can be used to control access to corporate resources using conditional access in Microsoft Intune include device compliance status, network location, and user identity.
Can conditional access policies be customized to meet an organization’s specific needs?
Yes, conditional access policies can be customized in Microsoft Intune to meet an organization’s specific needs by adjusting the policy settings and choosing which users or groups the policy is enforced on.
What is app-based conditional access in Microsoft Intune?
App-based conditional access in Microsoft Intune is a type of conditional access policy that controls access to individual apps based on specific conditions being met, such as device compliance status or user identity.
What are the benefits of using conditional access in Microsoft Intune?
The benefits of using conditional access in Microsoft Intune include improved security and protection against data breaches, increased compliance with regulatory requirements, and enhanced user experience with access tailored to individual needs.
Can conditional access be used to restrict access to on-premises resources as well as cloud resources?
Yes, conditional access in Microsoft Intune can be used to restrict access to both on-premises and cloud resources.
How can organizations ensure that their conditional access policies are effective?
Organizations can ensure that their conditional access policies are effective by monitoring compliance data and making necessary adjustments to the policies as needed.
What is multi-factor authentication, and how can it be used in conditional access policies in Microsoft Intune?
Multi-factor authentication is a security feature that requires users to provide more than one form of authentication in order to access corporate resources. It can be used in conditional access policies in Microsoft Intune to provide an additional layer of security for sensitive data.
Can conditional access policies be used to control access to specific devices within an organization?
Yes, conditional access policies in Microsoft Intune can be used to control access to specific devices based on their compliance status and other factors.
How can organizations ensure that their users are not overly restricted by conditional access policies?
Organizations can ensure that their users are not overly restricted by conditional access policies by carefully defining the conditions under which access will be granted or denied, and by providing alternative access methods for users who may be restricted by the policies.
What is the benefit of using app-based conditional access in Microsoft Intune?
The benefit of using app-based conditional access in Microsoft Intune is that organizations can control access to individual apps based on specific conditions being met, providing more granular control over access to sensitive data.
How can organizations monitor compliance with conditional access policies in Microsoft Intune?
Organizations can monitor compliance with conditional access policies in Microsoft Intune using reports, which provide information on users and devices that are non-compliant with the policies.
Great article on conditional access policies for device compliance. Helped me prep for the MS-101 exam.
I’m confused about creating a policy that blocks non-compliant devices. Any tips?
This post mentions compliance policies in Intune. Can someone explain how to create one?
Is it possible to enforce different policies for different user groups?
Appreciate the info provided here!
How do you troubleshoot issues when compliant devices are being blocked?
Thanks! This helped me understand conditional access policies much better.
What’s the best practice for setting up compliance policies for BYOD?