Entitlement Management can simply be defined as the process, tools, and technologies used to manage user access rights and permissions in an organization. It helps organizations to specify, enforce, and govern the right to access certain resources for specific users or groups. This can ultimately help organizations secure sensitive information, meet compliance requirements, and more.
Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory (AD) provides Entitlement Management as part of their Identity Governance solutions. With Azure AD, administrators can create and manage ‘access packages’ which consist of resources (like groups, applications, SharePoint sites etc.).
When an access package is set, specific users or groups can request access to the package. The request goes through approval, and if approved, the users get access for a specified period. After the period ends, access is automatically revoked.
To illustrate this, think of the process of onboarding a new employee. The HR needs to provide the employee with access to the company’s Azure resources. They create an access package that includes the necessary resources (emails, business apps, employee portal) and assigns it to the employee. After the employee’s contract ends, the access is automatically revoked.
Access Reviews
Access reviews, on the other hand, are periodic assessments of user entitlements to determine if they are appropriate, need modification, or should be revoked. In simple terms, access reviews are audits to ensure that the correct access levels are being given to users.
Access Reviews in Azure AD are designed to help organizations to efficiently manage group memberships, access to enterprise applications, and role assignments. With Access Reviews, a periodic review can be enforced, which is essential in organizations where roles and responsibilities constantly change.
For instance, a monthly access review may be performed, where every user’s access right is audited. If an individual moved from sales to marketing, their access rights may need to be changed. An access review would flag this and prompt the necessary action.
Linking Entitlement Management and Access Reviews
For a comprehensive governance and identity solution, Entitlement Management and Access Reviews should ideally work together. The former ensures that access is given per set guidelines, while the latter ensures the access remains valid and up to date with shifts in roles or responsibilities of individuals.
In the context of the SC-900 exam, understanding these concepts is central to sections on identity and access management. While azure provides the tools to manage and review access, the responsibility of utilising these tools for best practices and meeting compliance requirements falls on the individuals managing the system.
In conclusion, entitlement management and access reviews are vital parts of identity management. They not only keep systems secure but can also automate and streamline processes for staff onboarding, permissions management, and compliance. By mastering these, you’re one step closer to passing the SC-900 exam and becoming a pro at Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals.
Practice Test
True/False: Entitlement management is an identity governance process in Microsoft Azure Active Directory.
- True
- False)
Answer: True
Explanation: Entitlement management is indeed an identity governance process to manage identity and access lifecycle across groups, apps, and sites in Microsoft Azure Active Directory.
True/False: Entitlement management in Microsoft Azure Active Directory works in an automated way without any manually initiated access reviews.
- True
- False)
Answer: False
Explanation: Although Entitlement management is automated, it often includes access reviews, which is a periodic recertification process for verifying whether certain users need particular access rights or not.
What is the main goal of entitlement management?
- a) Ensuring data security
- b) Managing user life-cycle
- c) Proving end user access
- d) Defining user role
Answer: b) Managing user life-cycle
Explanation: The main goal of entitlement management is to manage the identity and access lifecycle across different groups, apps, and sites in an organization.
Which of the following features are provided by Microsoft Azure Active Directory’s entitlement management? (Multiple choice)
- a) Access packages
- b) Access reviews
- c) Digital rights management
- d) Policies
Answer: a) Access packages, b) Access reviews, d) Policies
Explanation: All the options except c) Digital rights management are features provided by entitlement management in Microsoft Azure Active Directory.
Entitlement management and access reviews can only be implemented in Azure Active Directory.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Although Azure Active Directory offers features for entitlement management and access reviews, other platforms and systems may also have their own entitlement management and access review mechanisms.
How often should access reviews be conducted?
- a) Only at the start of employment
- b) Only when access is granted
- c) At set intervals throughout the year
- d) Only when an incident occurs
Answer: c) At set intervals throughout the year
Explanation: Access reviews should be conducted at predetermined intervals to ensure users still require the access they have.
In an access review, who has the authority to make decisions?
- a) Only the IT administrator
- b) The user who is being reviewed
- c) Designated reviewers
- d) All members of the organization
Answer: c) Designated reviewers
Explanation: In an access review, designated reviewers have the authority to make decisions whether a user still needs a particular access or not.
Entitlement management includes proactive measures to prevent unnecessary access.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Entitlement management includes defining access packages with policies which help in proactively preventing unnecessary access.
The end goal of access reviews is:
- a) To revoke unnecessary access
- b) To provide access to all users
- c) To track user behavior
- d) To authenticate users
Answer: a) To revoke unnecessary access
Explanation: Access reviews are conducted to verify if the current users still need their assigned access. If not, this unnecessary access is revoked to mitigate potential security risks.
Users can request access packages through the My Access portal.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Users can request access packages for themselves or others by finding the packages in the My Access portal.
Entitlement management does not require any prior approval to grant access.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Entitlement management often follows a rule-based approach with a defined policy for approval to grant access to certain resources.
The person who is assigned to review user access is also the one who should implement entitlement management.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Although these roles may overlap, there should be a clear segregation of duties where one person or team reviews access and another team implements the entitlement management measures.
The Access Packages in entitlement management include the resources a user needs to do their work.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Access Packages in entitlement management include the resources a user or a group of users need to do their work or task.
Access Reviews allow users to self-attest their need for continued access.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Access Reviews can be configured to allow users to self-attest their need for continued access.
All the policies defined in entitlement management must be approved by senior management.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Although senior management should be aware of these policies, the responsibility for defining and enforcing them lies with the IT or Identity and Access Management team.
Interview Questions
What is entitlement management in Microsoft security?
Entitlement management in Microsoft security is a process that allows organizations to manage identity governance. It provides a convenient way to manage access at scale, for their employees and partners, providing access packages containing resources users are entitled to use.
What is an access review in Microsoft security?
An access review in Microsoft security is a feature of Azure Active Directory designed to help organizations review and manage their users’ access rights to various resources. The reviews can be set up on a recurring cycle or conducted as needed.
What are the core components of entitlement management?
The core components of entitlement management include access packages, catalog, policy, and roles. The access packages contain resources that users need. The catalog contains collections of resources. Policies are rules that define who can request access, and the roles are assignments that are made using role-based access control.
What are the aims of conducting access reviews?
Conducting access reviews helps to ensure that only appropriate users have access to specific resources, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access. It also helps to comply with corporate policies and standards and reduces the risk of data breaches by revoking unnecessary access rights.
How are users given access to resources through entitlement management?
Users gain access to resources through Access Packages in entitlement management. An Access Package is a bundle of resources that a user might need access to. These resources can include applications, groups, or SharePoint Online sites.
What are the two types of Access Reviews that can be conducted?
The two types of Access Reviews are Users and Groups, and Azure AD roles. User and group reviews assess the access of users or members of a group. Azure AD role reviews assess users in a directory role such as Global Administrator.
Can access reviews be automated in Microsoft Security?
Yes, access reviews can be automated. Repeated access reviews can be scheduled on a periodic basis. This means that reviews are created automatically following the schedule, thereby reducing the administrative overhead.
How does conducting Access Reviews improve security posture?
Access Reviews improve an organization’s security posture by ensuring only those users who require access to specific resources have it. This reduces the risk of data breaches and aids in meeting compliance requirements.
How is role-specific access managed in entitlement management?
Role-specific access is managed using Role Assignments in entitlement management. These are based on the principle of least privilege, granting users only the level of access that they need to perform their tasks.
How long can an access package be assigned to a user in entitlement management?
The duration of an access package is flexible and decided by organizational policy. It can be temporary or permanent, and can also be renewed based on user behavior and need.
What happens when a user’s access package expires?
When a user’s access package expires, the user will lose access to the resources contained within the package. This ensures that users don’t retain access privileges longer than necessary.
How can entitlement management help mitigate insider threats?
Entitlement management can help mitigate insider threats by controlling and reducing the access footprint of each user, limiting the potential damage that a compromised insider can cause.
How does entitlement management support collaboration with partners?
Entitlement management supports collaboration with partners by allowing organizations to create access packages for partners. This permits the partners to access necessary resources, while maintaining control and visibility over their access.
Can you revoke access rights through an Access Review?
Yes, access rights can be revoked through access reviews. If the review process deems a user’s access as unnecessary or a potential security risk, the review can result in the revocation of that access.
What is the purpose of the catalog in entitlement management?
The catalog in entitlement management is where resources are collected and organized. It forms a crucial part of creating access packages by allowing the selection and bundling of necessary resources.
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