In Part 1 of this mini-series, we explored the what, why, and how of Microsoft Entra Authentication Contexts, laying the foundation for what they are and how they work. In this second part, we’ll build on that foundation with real-world examples of how Authentication Contexts can secure user access and critical actions. Along the way, we’ll walk through configurations, share recommendations, and look at the Conditional Access policies that tie it all together. So, let’s dive

Over my last few posts, I’ve casually mentioned Authentication Context a few times, so I thought it was about time we gave the feature a proper spotlight. Within Microsoft Entra, we sometimes encounter scenarios where we need to enforce specific conditions for certain sub-actions or unique requirements. While Conditional Access can directly enforce conditions in most cases, there are times when it’s trickier — especially if we want to enforce a condition for a single  action

Today, I’ll take a closer look at Microsoft Entra Administrative Units (AUs)  and Restricted Management Administrative Units (RMAUs) Despite being incredibly useful, AUs and RMAUs are still underutilized in many environments. As organizations scale and responsibilities shift across teams, the need for scoped delegation becomes increasingly important. AUs let you define clear administrative boundaries, while RMAUs go a step further by blocking even high-privileged roles from m

Managing external users is one of the most tedious—but also critical—challenges in a Microsoft Business Premium environment. With authentication , authorization , and password security covered in earlier posts, we're now prepared to dive into identity and access management (IAM) specifically for external and guest users. Collaboration beyond organizational boundaries presents unique security challenges, particularly in balancing streamlined access and robust security practic

With authentication & authorization covered in the previous posts of the series, it's now time to dive into strengthening our password policies, empowering end-users, and enhancing overall password security. As I've gone over previously , passwords aren't exactly bulletproof, but for many organizations, transitioning to a fully passwordless setup overnight isn't realistic. While we steadily work towards that passwordless dream, managing and securing passwords across the org

In my last post I covered how to monitor the GOD Mode in Azure (Coined by the great John Savill ). While visibility and monitoring are great capabilities, there’s a big issue: the permanent  nature of the access. - Let's fix that! The way Elevated Access currently works, there’s no built-in way to manage, or restrict it—not through PIM for time- and approval-based access, not with access reviews, and not with entitlement management either. Once access is enabled for a user,

Protecting highly critical configurations in our Entra tenants has never been easier! Join me as we explore Protected Actions  in Microsoft Entra and how they help us lock down security-sensitive operations. A solid Identity and Access Management (IAM) strategy based on Zero Trust principles strengthens security by enforcing separation of duties, elevating access requests , and ensuring Just-In-Time (JIT) access , among others. But what if you need to further restrict specif

Today kicks off a comprehensive blog series where I’ll delve into the security features of the Business Premium license SKU, offering detailed step-by-step guidance and best practices. In this first installment, we’ll explore the capabilities included in Business Premium and walk through the foundational configurations throughout the Admin center, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Defender and Microsoft 365 Apps Admin center. These are the key settings I recommend establishing right

As the season for audits approaches (though, let’s be honest, auditing should be an all-year-round endeavor), I’m excited to share a practical solution for managing role assignments across your tenant. Managing role assignments can feel overwhelming, especially when multiple administrators are involved in assigning, monitoring, auditing, and managing roles. It’s rarely a one-person job, and the complexities only grow with the scale of your organization. Combine that with incr

In this blog post, we’ll be covering the fundamentals  of Access Packages in Microsoft Entra—it’s all about getting a solid understanding...

As the Conditional Access series wraps up , we’re diving headfirst into a new adventure in Identity Management! Join me as I explore the...

As the countdown for my series draws to a close, there are still a few final points I’d like to explore, and hopefully, you’ll join me...

I’ve gathered the Conditional Access tributes from nearly every district, and today, we’re collecting the final ones as we approach the...