Controlling who can access various aspects of your applications is vital for data privacy and security. Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator (Exam SC-300) is a certification course that offers deep insight into setting up and managing permissions for applications. In this post, we will discuss how to configure application permissions and will provide some examples where applicable.
Understanding Application Permissions
In Microsoft Azure, application permissions refer to the level of access that an application has to data and functionality. Rather than being granted to a user, these permissions are assigned directly to the application. They are mostly used for applications that run as background services or daemons, meaning they do not require human interaction.
Configuring Application Permissions
Step 1: Register the Application
Before you can configure application permissions, the first step is to register your app in the Azure Active Directory (AD).
- In the Azure portal, go to the Azure Active Directory.
- Then, click on App Registrations.
- After that, click on New Registration.
- Finally, enter the details for your application and click on Register.
Step 2: Configure the Application
After successfully registering the app, the next step involves configuring the app’s permissions.
- In the Azure portal, go to the Azure Active Directory.
- Then, click on App Registrations.
- Click on the name of the application you just registered.
- Then click API Permissions.
- Click Add a Permission, which will allow you to add new permissions for the application.
- Select the API you want to grant permissions to.
- Choose Application Permissions.
- Select the permissions you want to add and then click on Add Permissions.
The steps above can be repeated to add more permissions to the application.
Examples of API Permissions
Here are some examples of application permissions that can be configured:
- Read all users’ full profiles (User.Read.All): This permission allows an application to read all properties of all user profiles, without requiring user consent.
- Read all groups (Group.Read.All): This gives an application permission to read all group properties and memberships.
- Read and write all applications (Application.ReadWrite.All): This permission allows an application to read and write all applications’ properties without requiring consent.
It’s essential to carefully decide on the necessary permissions for an app as giving an app far-reaching permissions could present a security risk. It’s always recommended to stick with the principle of least privilege (PoLP), ensuring that an app only has the exact permissions that it needs to work correctly.
Consent for Permissions
Application permissions require administrator consent. Only the tenants’ admins can take this action. There’s a Grant Admin Consent for [Tenant name] button in the Permissions tab. Admins can use this button to grant consent.
Conclusion
Gaining hands-on experience with setting up application permissions is a crucial part of studying for the SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam. Remember, understanding the permission scope and the difference between delegated and application permissions can make a significant difference in managing security threats. By using this guide to help you, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Azure application permissions and making your applications more secure.
Practice Test
True or False: Users can only be assigned sister permissions in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD).
- Answer: False
Explanation: Azure AD allows you to assign different levels of access permissions to different users. They are not restricted to only sister permissions.
In the Azure portal, where would you navigate to assign permissions to an application?
- a) Resource groups
- b) AZ assignments
- c) API connectors
- d) Enterprise applications
Answer: d) Enterprise applications
Explanation: The Enterprise Applications section in the Azure portal is where you assign permissions for applications.
True or False: Reader role in Azure AD can be used to configure permissions for applications.
- Answer: False
Explanation: The reader role in Azure AD has view-only privileges and does not allow one to configure application permissions.
You need to grant an application the ability to read directory data. Which permissions should you configure?
- a) Directory.ReadAll
- b) Directory.WriteAll
- c) Directory.ExecuteAll
- d) Directory.UpdateAll
Answer: a) Directory.ReadAll
Explanation: To allow an application to read directory data, you should configure the Directory.ReadAll permission.
True or False: It’s impossible to assign an application role to a service principal in Azure AD.
- Answer: False
Explanation: In Azure AD, you can assign an application role to a service principal.
What permissions should be granted for an application to write data to the directory?
- a) Directory.ReadAll
- b) Directory.WriteAll
- c) Directory.ExecuteAll
- d) Directory.DeleteAll
Answer: b) Directory.WriteAll
Explanation: Directory.WriteAll permissions allow an application to write data to the directory.
True or False: An application requires admin consent to be granted permissions.
- Answer: True
Explanation: The admin consent workflow is a feature that allows admins to review and grant consent requests for the permissions requested by applications.
The Account Operator role in Azure AD is used mainly for:
- a) Managing domains
- b) Configuring application permissions
- c) Viewing user account details
- d) Managing user accounts
Answer: d) Managing user accounts
Explanation: The documentations suggest the Account Operator role is used primarily for managing user accounts, not for configuring app permissions.
True or False: The user role in Azure AD can be used for configuring application permissions.
- Answer: False
Explanation: The user role in Azure AD is for normal activities related to the user’s own account, not for configuring application permissions.
What permission provides the ability for an application to delete from the directory?
- a) Directory.ReadAll
- b) Directory.WriteAll
- c) Directory.ExecuteAll
- d) Directory.DeleteAll
Answer: d) Directory.DeleteAll
Explanation: The Directory.DeleteAll permission allows an application to delete from the directory.
You are setting up an application in Azure AD. You need to provide the application with permission to call a Microsoft Graph API. Where would you configure this permission?
- a) In the API permissions section in App registrations
- b) In the User permissions section in App registrations
- c) In the Identity provider permissions section in App registrations
- d) In the Access control (IAM) section in App registrations
Answer: a) In the API permissions section in App registrations
Explanation: You would configure this in the API permissions section in App registrations in Azure AD.
True or False: Delegated permissions in configuring applications allow the app to take actions on behalf of a user.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Delegated permissions allow an app to take actions on behalf of the user, such as reading their calendar or sending mail on their behalf.
What role should be assigned to a user for configuring application permissions in Azure AD?
- a) User
- b) Reader
- c) Application administrator
- d) Contributor
Answer: c) Application administrator
Explanation: The Application Administrator role is intended for those responsible for managing applications in Azure AD, including configuring permissions.
True or False: The Azure AD Graph API has been deprecated in favor of the Microsoft Graph API.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft has indicated that the Azure AD Graph API is deprecated and that going forward, Microsoft Graph API should be used instead.
Which of the following permissions would grant an application full control over all mailbox settings?
- a) Mail.Read
- b) Mail.Write
- c) Mail.Send
- d) MailboxSettings.ReadWrite
Answer: d) MailboxSettings.ReadWrite
Explanation: The MailboxSettings.ReadWrite permission grants an application full control over all mailbox settings.
Interview Questions
What are application permissions in Microsoft Identity and Access Administration?
Application permissions are used to grant non-interactive, service-to-service access to an application. The target resource specifies both the permission and the scope.
What is the difference between application permissions and delegated permissions?
Application permissions are used by apps that run without a signed-in user, while delegated permissions are used by apps that have a signed-in user present.
How do you grant application permissions in the Azure portal?
To grant application permissions, you go to the Azure portal, find the application in App registrations, select API permissions, click Add a permission and choose the desired permissions.
What happens when you grant application permissions at the application level in Azure Active Directory?
Granting application permissions at the application level in Azure Active Directory allows the application to act as itself, not as a specific user.
How do you check the granted permissions for an application in Microsoft Azure AD?
You can check the granted permissions for an app in the Azure portal by navigating to App registrations, selecting the application, and then clicking on API permissions.
What does the term “Consent” mean in Microsoft Identity and Access Administration?
Consent is the process of granting an application permissions to access a resource or perform certain actions on behalf of the user.
How do you remove permissions from an application in the Azure Portal?
In the Azure portal, navigate to the application in App registrations, select API permissions, then select the permissions you want to remove and click on the “Remove permissions” button.
What steps are required to request and grant application permissions in Microsoft Azure AD?
The steps to request and grant application permissions are: Define the permissions that the app requires, Request the permissions in the app registration portal, Admin consent to the permissions, and validating the permissions granted.
What’s the difference between admin consent and user consent?
Admin consent is given by an administrator and it grants the permissions for all users in an organization. User consent is given by individual users, granting permissions only for that particular user.
Why is it important to limit application permissions to only what is necessary?
Limiting application permissions to only what is necessary helps to reduce the potential impact of a compromised application and minimize the risk of unauthorized access or actions.
Where can you see the list of permissions that an application has requested?
You can view the list of requested permissions in the Azure portal by navigating to App Registrations, selecting the application, and then clicking on API permissions.
What is consent framework in Azure AD?
The Azure AD consent framework provides a way for applications to request permissions to access resources and perform actions as the user or as themselves.
Who has the authority to approve application permissions in Azure AD?
Application permissions in Azure AD can be approved by a Global Administrator, an Application Administrator, or a Cloud Application Administrator.
What is meant by ‘scopes’ in the context of application permissions in Azure AD?
Scopes define the specific actions an application can do or the information it can access. They help to limit the application’s access to only what is necessary.
How do you modify the permissions for an application in Azure AD?
To modify the permissions for an app, you would navigate to the Azure portal, find the application in App registrations, select API permissions, then add or remove the permissions as needed.
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