Skip to main content

lacework-global-518

1.2.3 Ensure that A Multi-factor Authentication Policy Exists for Administrative Groups (Manual)​

Profile Applicability​

• Level 1

Description​

For designated users, they will be prompted to use their multi-factor authentication (MFA) process on login.

Rationale​

Enabling multi-factor authentication is a recommended setting to limit the use of Administrative accounts to authenticated personnel.

Impact​

There is an increased cost, as Conditional Access policies require Azure AD Premium. Similarly, MFA may require additional overhead to maintain. There is also a potential scenario in which the multi-factor authentication method can be lost, and administrative users are no longer able to log in. For this scenario, there should be an emergency access account. Please see References for creating this.

Audit​

From Azure Portal​

  1. From Azure Home open the Portal Menu in the top left, and select Azure Active Directory.
  2. Scroll down in the menu on the left, and select Security.
  3. Select on the left side Conditional Access.
  4. Select the policy you wish to audit.
  5. View under Users and Groups the corresponding users and groups to whom the policy is applied. Be certain the emergency access account is not in the list.
  6. View under Exclude to determine which Users and groups to whom the policy is not applied.

Remediation​

From Azure Portal​

  1. From Azure Home open the Portal Menu in top left, and select Azure Active Directory.
  2. Scroll down in the menu on the left, and select Security.
  3. Select on the left side Conditional Access.
  4. Click the + New policy

References​

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/howto-conditional-access-policy-admin-mfa
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/roles/security-emergency-access
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/troubleshoot-conditional-access-what-if
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/howto-conditional-access-insights-reporting
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/plan-conditional-access
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v3-identity-management#im-7-restrict-resource-access-based-on--conditions

Additional Information​

These policies should be tested by using the What If tool in the References. Setting these can and will create issues with logging in for users until they use an MFA device linked to their accounts. Further testing can also be done via the insights and reporting resource in References which monitors Azure sign ins.