Conditional Access Checklist for Microsoft Entra ID
Conditional Access is one of the most important security controls in Microsoft Entra ID. It helps organizations decide when access should be allowed, blocked, or challenged based on signals such as user identity, device status, location, application, and risk.
For many organizations, Conditional Access is the best path forward for enforcing multifactor authentication because it provides more control than Security Defaults or Per-User MFA. However, poorly planned policies can create gaps, user frustration, or lockout scenarios.
Use this checklist to review your Conditional Access posture before enabling or expanding MFA enforcement.
Conditional Access Checklist:
1. Identify high-risk users first:
Start by reviewing users with elevated access, including global administrators, privileged role administrators, help desk administrators, and service account owners. These accounts should have strong MFA controls and should not rely on weak authentication methods whenever stronger options are available.
2. Review existing MFA coverage:
Before creating new policies, confirm who is already protected by MFA and how MFA is currently enforced. Look for users managed through Security Defaults, Per-User MFA, existing Conditional Access policies, or legacy configurations.
3. Confirm authentication methods:
Review which authentication methods are allowed in the Authentication Methods Policy. Disable methods that do not meet your security requirements and prioritize stronger options such as authenticator apps, passkeys, FIDO2 security keys, or certificate-based authentication.
4. Protect emergency access accounts:
Every organization should have emergency access accounts, but they need to be carefully protected. These accounts should be excluded only where necessary, monitored closely, and reviewed regularly.
5. Test policies before enforcement:
Use a phased rollout when possible. Start with a pilot group, review sign-in behavior, validate exceptions, and confirm that users can complete MFA successfully before expanding enforcement across the organization.
6. Block legacy authentication:
Legacy authentication can bypass MFA in some scenarios. Review sign-in logs and identify applications or protocols still using legacy authentication before blocking them completely.
7. Review application access:
Not every application carries the same level of risk. Prioritize critical applications such as Microsoft 365, administrative portals, financial systems, HR platforms, VPN access, and remote access tools.
8. Document exceptions:
Exceptions should be limited, justified, and reviewed regularly. If an account, application, or group is excluded from MFA, document why the exception exists, who approved it, and when it should be reviewed.
9. Monitor sign-in activity:
After rollout, monitor sign-in logs, failed MFA attempts, risky sign-ins, and user support tickets. These signals can help identify misconfigurations, adoption issues, or active threats.
10. Review policies regularly:
Conditional Access is not a one-time setup. Policies should be reviewed as users, devices, applications, and business requirements change.
Conditional Access can significantly improve identity security, but only when policies are planned, tested, and maintained. A strong rollout should balance security, usability, and operational visibility. Sedara can help organizations review Conditional Access policies, identify MFA gaps, and strengthen identity security across Microsoft Entra ID environments.
We Can Help
Sedara’s Cybersecurity Development Program (CDP) and our virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs) can help you assess and implement improvements to your cybersecurity program, including designing secure Conditional Access policies that meet your needs.
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