Cybersecurity
What Are the Advantages of Implementing Conditional Access?
Passwords have long been a major source of security concern. Eighty-one percent of security incidents happen due to stolen or weak passwords.
Passwords have long been a major source of security concern. Eighty-one percent of security incidents happen due to stolen or weak passwords. Sixty-one percent of workers use the same password for multiple platforms, and 43% have shared their passwords with others. These factors are why compromised credentials remain the main cause of data breaches.
Access and identity management have become a priority for many organizations, largely due to the rise of cloud computing and the reality that accessing many systems requires nothing more than a username and password. Once a cybercriminal obtains an employee's login, they can access the account and any data it contains. This is especially problematic for accounts like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, which provide access to cloud storage, email, and much more.
What Is Conditional Access?
Conditional access, also known as contextual access, is a method of controlling user access. You can think of it as a series of if/then statements. For example, conditional access allows you to set a rule such as: if a user is logging in from outside the country, require a one-time passcode. Some of the most common contextual factors used include IP address, geographic location, time of day, the device used, and the role or group the user belongs to. Conditional access is typically used in combination with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to improve access security without unnecessarily inconveniencing users. It can be configured in Azure Active Directory or another identity and access management tool.
The Benefits of Implementing Conditional Access.
Improves Security. Conditional access improves security by allowing greater flexibility in verifying user legitimacy. Rather than granting access to anyone with a username and password, the user must meet certain contextual requirements. For example, it could block login attempts from countries where no employees are located, or present an extra verification step when an employee uses an unrecognized device.
Automates the Access Management Process. Once the if/then rules are configured, the system takes over. It automates monitoring for contextual factors and takes the appropriate actions, reducing the burden on administrative IT teams and ensuring that no access attempts fall through the cracks. Automated processes are more accurate and reliable than manual ones and remove the human error component.
Allows Restriction of Certain Activities. Conditional access is not only for keeping unauthorized users out of accounts. It can also restrict the activities that legitimate users are permitted to do. For example, you could restrict access to data or settings based on a user's role, or lower permissions to view-only when a user with a certain role logs in from an unknown device.
Improves the User Login Experience. Studies show that as many as 67% of businesses do not use multi-factor authentication, despite it being one of the most effective methods to stop credential breaches. One of the biggest reasons is the inconvenience factor for employees. Using conditional access with MFA can improve the user experience by requiring additional verification only under specific circumstances, such as when users are off premises or on an unfamiliar device. This prevents all users from being inconvenienced for every login.
Enforces the Rule of Least Privilege. The rule of least privilege is a security best practice that means granting users only the lowest level of access necessary for them to do their work. Conditional access simplifies the process of restricting access to data or functions based on job needs. It streamlines identity management by containing all access and MFA rules in a single system, making overall management simpler.
Get Help Implementing Conditional Access.
Once conditional access is set up, the automated system takes over to improve your security and reduce the risk of an account breach. The team at Cyber One Solutions can help with setup and configure the conditions that make the most sense for your business. Contact us today for a consultation.