For nearly as long as passwords have existed, they’ve been a major source of security concern. Eighty-one percent of security incidents happen due to stolen or weak passwords. Additionally, employees need to pay more attention to the basics of good cyber hygiene. At IT Acceleration, we believe that learning how deploying conditional access can lower your risk of an account breach.
Consider these statistics: 61% of workers use the same password for multiple platforms, and 43% have shared their passwords with others. These factors explain why compromised credentials are the main cause of data breaches.
Access and identity management have become a priority for businesses in Philadelphia and beyond. This is largely due to the rise of the cloud and the practice of people needing only to enter a username and password to access systems.
Once a cybercriminal gets a hold of an employee’s login, they can access the account and any data it contains. This is especially problematic when it’s an account like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. These accounts can access things like cloud storage and user email.
Below, we’ll explain conditional access and how it works with multi-factor authentication (MFA). We’ll also review the advantages of moving to a conditional access process.
What Is Conditional Access?
Conditional access is also known as contextual access. It is a method of controlling user access. You can think of it as several “if/then” statements, meaning “if” this thing is present, “then” do this.
For example, conditional access allows you to set a rule stating, “If a user logs in from outside the country, require a one-time passcode.”
Conditional access allows you to add many conditions to the process of user access to a system. It is typically used with MFA to improve access security without unnecessarily inconveniencing users.
Some of the most common contextual factors used include:
- IP address
- Geographic location
- Time of day
- The device used
- Role or group the user belongs to
Conditional access can be set up in Azure Active Directory or another identity and access management tool. It’s helpful to get the assistance of an experienced IT partner. At IT Acceleration, we can help with the setup and the conditions that would make the most sense for your business.
The Benefits of Implementing Conditional Access for Identity Management
Improves Security
Conditional access improves security and allows more flexibility in challenging user legitimacy. It doesn’t just grant access to anyone with a username and password. Instead, the user needs to meet certain requirements.
Contextual access could block any login attempts from countries where no employees are. It could also present an extra verification question when employees use an unrecognized device.
Automates the Access Management Process
Once the if/then statements are set up, the system takes over. It automates the monitoring of contextual factors and takes the appropriate action. This reduces the burden on administrative IT teams and ensures that no one falls between the cracks.
Automated processes are more accurate and reliable than manual processes. Automation removes the human error component. This helps ensure that each condition is being verified for every single login.
Allows Restriction of Certain Activities
Conditional access isn’t only for keeping unauthorized users out of your accounts. You can also use it to restrict the activities that legitimate users can do.
For example, you could restrict access to data or settings based on a user’s role in the system. You can also combine conditions, such as lowering permissions to view-only. For example, you could trigger this if a user holds a certain role and is logging in from an unknown device.
Improves the User Login Experience
Studies show that as many as 67% of businesses don’t use multi-factor authentication, even though it’s one of the most effective methods to stop credential breaches.
One of the biggest reasons it is not used is the inconvenience to employees. They may complain that it interferes with productivity or makes it harder for them to use their business applications.
Using conditional access with MFA can improve the user experience. For example, you can require MFA only if users are off the premises. You can place extra challenge questions on a role or context-based basis to keep all users from being inconvenienced.
Enforces the Rule of Least Privilege
Using the rule of least privilege is a security best practice. It means only granting the lowest level of access in a system as necessary for a user to do their work. Once you have roles in your identity management system, you can base access on those roles.
Conditional access simplifies restricting access to data or functions. You can base this on job needs. It streamlines identity management because it contains all functions for access and MFA rules in the same system. Everything stays together, making management simpler.
Get Help Implementing Conditional Access
Once conditional access is set up, the automated system takes over. It improves your security and reduces the risk of an account breach.
Contact IT Acceleration, just outside of Philadelphia, for a free consultation to enhance your cybersecurity.
The article is used with permission from The Technology Press.