Conditional Access App Control is a feature of Azure Active Directory that allows you to control and enforce access policies to your cloud applications depending on user location, device platform, and more. It empowers administrators to protect their data from being accessed under risky conditions. The feature is designed to enable the administrators to take nuanced actions like blocking downloads, restricting access, or requiring multifactor authentication based on the circumstances.
Configuring Conditional Access App Control
Before we start the configuration process, you should be aware that for configuring Conditional Access App Control, you need Azure Active Directory Premium P1 or higher.
Step 1: Set Up Access Policy in Azure Active Directory
Firstly, navigate to Azure Active Directory, then to “Enterprise applications,” and finally to “Conditional Access.” Here, create a new policy by clicking on “New policy.” Fill in the required details like users and groups, cloud apps or actions, and conditions. In the “Access controls” section, select “Session” then “Use Conditional Access App Control.” Here, you have three options:
- Monitor only: This option allows access but monitors the behavior.
- Block downloads: This option will still allow access but block any downloading of data.
- Custom policy: Here, you can create a customized policy.
Choose the option that matches your desired control over the application. Save your configuration.
Step 2: Set Up Session Policy in Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS)
After setting up the access policy, navigate to the MCAS portal, and select “Control,” then “Policies.” Click on “+ Create policy,” and select “Session policy.” Here, set the filters and behaviors as per your requirements. You can create notifications, alerts, or actions based on the created policies.
Step 3: Testing Your Configurations
To make sure your configurations are correctly set up, you can test Conditional Access App Control. You can do this by opening an in-private/incognito browser and accessing one of the apps that you have set the Conditional Access App Control policies on. You should see the policies being enforced in line with your configuration.
Importance of Conditional Access App Control in SC-300 Exam
Expect the SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam to cover topics around Azure Active Directory and particularly the Conditional Access App Control policies. Dedicate your time to understand the steps involved in configuring these policies, actions that can be enforced, and how these policies can play a significant role in securing enterprise applications.
In conclusion, Conditional Access App Control is a powerful feature provided by Azure Active Directory for administrators to take charge of the security of cloud applications. It is a critical area for anyone preparing to take the SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam.
Practice Test
True or False: Conditional Access App Control can help you monitor and control data access in your applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Conditional Access App Control uses a reverse proxy architecture and integrates with your identity provider to give you visibility and control over your cloud applications.
True or False: In Conditional Access App Control, you can only apply policies to managed devices.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: You can apply Conditional Access App Control policies to both managed and unmanaged devices for selective enforcement of security policies.
Which of the following can you do using Conditional Access App Control? (Select all that apply)
- A. Control data access in real-time.
- B. Apply authentication challenges.
- C. Block risky logins.
- D. Enforce data classification rules.
Answer: A, B, C, D.
Explanation: Conditional Access App Control provides all these functions. It can control data access, deploy authentication challenges, block risky logins, and implement data classification rules.
What does Conditional Access App Control require for integration?
- A. An identity provider.
- B. A security provider.
- C. A network provider.
- D. A cloud provider.
Answer: A. An identity provider.
Explanation: Conditional Access App Control integrates with your identity provider (like Azure Active Directory) to provide you control over your cloud applications.
True or False: Conditional Access App Control supports only SaaS applications.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Conditional Access App Control supports not only SaaS applications but also other types of applications including IaaS and PaaS.
True or False: You can apply session policies to monitor and control user interactions within your applications using Conditional Access App Control.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Conditional Access App Control allows you to define session policies to monitor and control user interactions within your applications.
Which of the following Conditional Access App Control features helps in reducing the risk of data leakage?
- A. Inline visibility.
- B. Inline control.
- C. Risk discovery.
- D. All of the above.
Answer: D. All of the above.
Explanation: All these features of Conditional Access App Control help to reduce the risk of data leakage by providing in-depth visibility, control, and risk insights.
Which Azure service is the Conditional Access App Control part of?
- A. Azure Security Center.
- B. Azure Active Directory.
- C. Azure Monitor.
- D. Azure Sentinel.
Answer: B. Azure Active Directory.
Explanation: Conditional Access App Control is a feature of Azure Active Directory.
True or False: You can use Conditional Access App Control to block downloads of sensitive documents from your applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: One of the capabilities of Conditional Access App Control is to control file downloads which can be used to prevent downloads of sensitive documents.
True or False: You cannot customize the policies in Conditional Access App Control.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: You can customize the policies in Conditional Access App Control to meet the specific needs of your organization.
Which of the following security frameworks are associated with Conditional Access App Control? (Select all that apply)
- A. Zero Trust.
- B. CIS Benchmarks.
- C. NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
- D. ISO/IEC
Answer: A. Zero Trust, C. NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Explanation: The policies and controls offered by Conditional Access App Control are key elements of the Zero Trust security framework and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of conditional access app control?
Conditional access app control is a tool used to manage and secure cloud applications. It enables user session monitoring, real-time control as well as a host of risk management control features like upload control, download control, and more.
Can you define session control in the context of conditional access app control?
Session control is a capability within conditional access app control that allows granular control of a user’s interaction with a given cloud application during a session, as determined by the configured access policy.
How does conditional access app control protect data?
Conditional access app control uses Microsoft Cloud App Security to monitor and control user interactions with cloud applications. This ensures, among other things, that sensitive data cannot be downloaded, copied or pasted outside an app, providing a significant level of information protection.
Is it possible to block certain actions within an app using Conditional Access App Control?
Yes, it is possible. Conditional Access App Control can block or limit certain user actions within a cloud application such as downloading sensitive data or performing high-risk transactions.
How do conditional access policies work with the app control?
Conditional access policies work in conjunction with the app control to enforce compliance with specific criteria before access is granted to an application. If the conditions specified in the policy are not met, the app control can either block access or restrict user actions within the application.
What does Microsoft Cloud App Security do in conditional access app control?
In conditional access app control, Microsoft Cloud App Security enables user session control in cloud applications. It allows for monitoring and controlling user activities and data, thus enhancing security and compliance.
Can conditional access app control be used for any cloud application?
No, conditional access app control can only be used for supported cloud applications. It generally covers popular SaaS applications like Office 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, etc.
What is required to set up conditional access app control?
To set up conditional access app control, you would need to have Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Intune, and Microsoft Cloud App Security.
What is the purpose of the limited access policy in conditional access app control?
The limited access policy in conditional access app control is meant to protect data in the application by limiting how it can be accessed. It can prevent data from being downloaded, printed, or synchronized with local devices.
Can conditional access app control effectively protect against various security issues like data leakage?
Yes, conditional access app control is designed to provide a high level of protection against security risks, including data leakage. It provides monitoring and control options that can be used to prevent the unauthorized or inappropriate movement of data.
What is the role of Cloud Discovery in conditional access app control?
Cloud Discovery analyses your traffic logs against Microsoft Cloud App Security’s ever-expanding cloud app catalog of over 25,000 cloud apps. These Cloud apps are ranked and scored based on more than 90 risk factors to provide you with ongoing visibility into cloud use, shadow IT, and the risk surrounding your cloud environment.
Can Conditional Access App Control regulations be customized for different users?
Yes, access and usage policies in Conditional Access App Control can be customized according to users, locations, device states, and apps, allowing for a variety of different scenarios to be handled effectively.
How does conditional access app control enforce compliance policies?
Conditional access app control enforces compliance policies by using real-time controls for actions like block or protect, which makes it feasible to restrict downloads or block potentially unsafe activities within an app.
Can a Conditional Access App Control session timeout?
A session started through Conditional Access App Control doesn’t have intrinsic session timeout settings. The session timeout is usually determined by the accessed application’s settings.
Can Conditional Access App Control block downloads on unmanaged devices?
Yes, with the help of context-sensitive policies, Conditional Access App Control can block or limit downloads on unmanaged or non-compliant devices. This becomes particularly useful in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios.
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