Azure Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a vital tool for managing, controlling, and monitoring access within an Azure environment. It is a functionality of Azure Active Directory (AD), designed to minimize risks by allowing you to manage, control, and monitor access. This post covers how you can plan and manage Azure roles using PIM, detailing how to configure settings and assign roles.
Planning Azure Roles with PIM
When planning Azure roles with PIM, it’s essential to consider who has access to what resources and the level of permission they have. The plan should also include monitoring and controlling access. Azure PIM allows for role assignment to users based on the principle of least privilege – i.e., granting only the permissions necessary for a user to perform their job.
PIM Role Settings
Role settings within PIM determine how roles behave within the platform. These settings include Role Activation Approvals, Just-In-Time Access (activations), and Time-bound access.
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Role Activation Approvals: This setting requires that an eligible role activation must be approved before it becomes active. This additional layer of security ensures only the right individuals have access to resources.
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Just-In-Time Access: This allows users temporary access to execute a specific task. Once the job is complete, access is revoked, reducing the risk of exploiting elevated privileges.
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Time-bound access: This feature restricts the duration during which the user can perform privileged tasks. Once the assigned time elapses, the user’s access is revoked automatically.
These settings ensure that only those who must have privileged access get it, minimizing potential risks.
Role Assignment with PIM
Azure PIM allows role assignments to security groups, applications, and service principals. Users and security groups can be assigned roles across multiple scopes, which can be a management group, subscription, a resource group, or an individual resource.
The following steps provide a guide for role assignment in Azure PIM:
- Select ‘Azure AD roles’ in PIM
- Click on ‘Role settings’
- Choose ‘Add assignments’
- Select a role from the list displayed
- Lastly, pick the member you desire to assign the role to and their scope
Please note that a member cannot be removed from an assignment while it is active. They must first deactivate the role before it can be removed.
Example of Role Assignment
Given a scenario where you have a user “John Doe,” who needs temporary Admin access. You can follow these steps:
- Open the Azure portal and navigate to Azure AD, then Privileged Identity Management.
- Under Manage, select Azure AD roles, then Role assignments.
- Click Add assignments.
- For Select role, choose Global administrator.
- For Select members, pick John Doe.
- For Select scope, ensure “Directory” is selected.
- Click next through ‘settings’, ‘justification’, and ‘review + create’, then click ‘create’.
Now John Doe’s user ID is an “Eligible” Global administrator. He can activate the role when he needs it (within predefined limits).
Azure PIM provides an effective way of managing privileged identities in the Azure environment. It allows for efficient planning of Azure roles, ensuring that only necessary individuals have access to specific data sources within set limits. By understanding what PIM role settings are and how to assign roles, you will be able to enhance your proficiency for the SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam.
Practice Test
Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a service in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) that enables you to manage, control, and monitor access to important resources. Is this statement true or false?
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: PIM in Azure AD helps users in managing, controlling, and monitoring access to important resources hence the statement is true.
Which of the following is NOT a common use for Azure roles in Azure PIM?
- a) Manage who can access Azure resources at different scopes.
- b) Supply temporary access to an Azure resource.
- c) Set permanent access to an Azure resource.
- d) Review access to Azure resources.
Answer: c) Set permanent access to an Azure resource.
Explanation: Azure roles in Azure PIM are commonly used for temporary access, not for permanent access.
One of the core features of Azure PIM includes setting up access reviews for Azure resources. Is this statement true or false?
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Yes, the core features of Azure PIM include setting up access reviews. This gives administrators the ability to regularly review and validate access.
Azure PIM needs Global Admin privileges to manage Azure resources. Is this true or false?
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Azure PIM does not necessarily need Global Admin privileges. Users can activate into privileges assigned to them in the Privileged Role.
Which of the following roles is NOT a built-in role in Azure?
- a) Global Administrator
- b) Security Administrator
- c) Compliance Manager
- d) Billing Administrator
Answer: c) Compliance Manager
Explanation: Compliance Manager is not a built-in role in Azure, while the others are.
How often should access reviews be configured to occur in Azure PIM?
- a) Monthly
- b) Quarterly
- c) Yearly
- d) As mandated by the organization’s policies
Answer: d) As mandated by the organization’s policies
Explanation: The frequency of access reviews is determined by an organization’s individual policies and requirements.
Azure AD PIM must be licensed for every user in the organization. Is this statement true or false?
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Azure AD PIM must only be licensed for the users who use the PIM services.
Azure PIM provides Just-In-Time (JIT) activation for privileged roles. Is this true or false?
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Azure PIM provides Just-In-Time (JIT) activation which enables you to work with less privilege and activate your role when necessary.
What does Azure PIM provide for resources and roles?
- a) Permanent access
- b) Temporary access
- c) Access to all resources
Answer: b) Temporary access
Explanation: Azure PIM provides temporary, “Just In Time” access to resources. This maintains a higher level of security by preventing unnecessary long-standing access.
Which of the following are additional steps to protect privileged accounts? (multiple select)
- a) Use PIM to set permanent access.
- b) Use multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- c) Enable risky sign-ins & users policy.
- d) Enable password hash sync.
Answer: b) Use multi-factor authentication (MFA), c) Enable risky sign-ins & users policy, and d) Enable password hash sync.
Explanation: Using MFA, risky sign-ins & users policy, and password hash sync are good practices to secure privileged accounts. PIM is used for temporary access.
Interview Questions
What is Azure Privileged Identity Management (PIM)?
Azure Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a service in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) that enables you to manage, control, and monitor access to important resources in your organization. This includes access to Azure resources as well as other Microsoft Online Services like Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Intune.
How is an Azure role in Azure PIM assigned?
Azure roles in PIM are assigned through the Azure portal, by accessing the Azure AD management settings of the resource. Roles can be assigned to a user, a group of users or a service principal.
Can Azure PIM roles be permanently assigned?
Yes, Azure PIM roles can be permanently assigned. However, for better security, it’s recommended to assign PIM roles on an “eligible” basis, where users need to specifically activate the role which will be time-bound.
What does a role activation in Azure PIM mean?
Role activation in Azure PIM means that a user who has been assigned a role on an “eligible” basis has requested to use that role, and after approval, is now able to use the role for a limited period of time until it’s deactivated.
What is the difference between eligible and active assignments in Azure PIM?
Eligible assignments are roles that a user can activate when they need them, whereas active assignments are roles which are always active for the user.
How long can an Azure PIM role be activated for?
By default, role activations in Azure PIM last for 24 hours. However, this duration can be customized by an administrator.
How can you schedule Azure PIM role activation?
Azure PIM role activation cannot be scheduled. A user must manually request activation of an eligible role, and it’s activated immediately upon approval.
What is Just-In-Time (JIT) access in Azure PIM?
Just-In-Time access in Azure PIM refers to the ability to provide elevated access at the time it’s needed. This reduces the risk of misuse of elevated access because it is not continuously available.
What happens when an Azure PIM role activation expires?
When an Azure PIM role activation expires, the user will lose their elevated access and return to their usual access level. They would need to request activation again to regain the elevated access privileges.
Can the role activation duration and the need for approval be configured in Azure PIM?
Yes, both settings can be configured. An Azure AD administrator can customize the role activation duration within a certain limit and choose whether or not approval is required for role activation.
What is the role of approvers in Azure PIM?
Approvers in Azure PIM are responsible for reviewing and granting role activation requests.
How can you audit and monitor Azure PIM?
Auditing and monitoring in Azure PIM is done through Azure AD audit logs, Azure Monitor, and Azure Activity Logs.
What is the purpose of Access Reviews in Azure PIM?
Access Reviews in Azure PIM allow administrators to verify and ensure that only the correct people have access to Azure resources, by reviewing users’ active and eligible roles, and confirming or revoking access as needed.
Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) supported in Azure PIM?
Yes, Azure PIM supports MFA and it can be required for activating a role in order to provide an extra layer of security.
Can you integrate Azure PIM with other Microsoft services?
Yes, Azure PIM can be integrated with other Microsoft Online Services like Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Intune, providing privileged identity management across these platforms.
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