Or, because you’re signing in using a legacy authentication mechanism, access will be denied, and you’ll be directed towards using the current (accepted) authentication mechanism being used within the organization. For example, you’ll be given access to the resources you’re trying to reach, but because you are using an administrative account, the service will force you to provide additional login information (such as MFA). This usually boils down to the user/device simply being provided access (or not) but can also include varying levels or access as well.

IP Location Information – Such as the device living within a trusted IP range or Corporate HQ for exampleĪs part of the Conditional Access process, once a signal is triggered, a decision has to be made by the service based on the configuration of the conditional access policy.

The needs of authentication and trust now must exist outside of those four walls of the business, and Azure AD and Conditional Access play an important role in this process.Ĭonditional Access uses a three-step process in determining if a user or device’s access should be allowed.Ī conditional access signal acts as a trigger for a Conditional Access policy. Employee workforces today are dynamic and are working on several devices from several different locations. No longer do administrators have to simply worry about the four walls of their building. What is Conditional Access?Ĭonditional Access, when paired with Azure Active Directory, is a tool used to provide next-generation identity services in the cloud age. In this article, we are going to talk about common reasons for this push-back, and ways that Microsoft’s Conditional Access feature can allow you to tread the line between security and ease-of-use. Even focusing on something as simple as multi-factor authentication (MFA), it is common to see push-back from management or certain departments. Often times its resistance from the organization itself in implementing changes that would positively affect their own security posture, not the inability or desire on the part of the system admin or IT department.

Many IT Pros will attest that there is a constant push/pull between security and ease-of-use and I have personally seen many instances of IT Pros struggling with this push/pull over the years within their own organizations.

Conditional access mfa