How to Configure Conditional Access Policies to restrict access to any app from specific IP or Location

Rising Cyber Threats: Did you know that over 60% of businesses have experienced a cyber-attack in the past year??This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for robust access controls. One effective way to enhance security is by configuring conditional access policies to restrict access from specific IPs or locations.

Understanding Conditional Access

Conditional access is a set of policy configurations that control what devices and users can access different applications. In the Microsoft environment, these policies work with Office 365 and other SaaS applications configured in Azure Active Directory.

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The Challenge

Organizations often struggle with managing access to applications based on location or IP. Ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data is a common challenge.

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Our Approach

Setup

We considered three office locations (USA, Canada, India) with specific IPs. This setup allows us to define trusted locations and manage access more effectively.

Configuring Named Locations

Named locations in Azure are configured by adding public IP addresses. This helps in defining trusted locations and ensuring that access is granted only from these specified IPs.

Implementing MFA Trusted IPs

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) trusted IPs are configured to grant seamless access to trusted users without requiring additional authentication steps. This enhances security while maintaining a smooth user experience.

Creating Conditional Access Policies

Setting up conditional access policies involves defining users, applications, and conditions. This step-by-step process ensures that only authorized users can access specific applications based on their location or IP.

Implementation Scenarios

1.?SharePoint Online

We restricted access to SharePoint Online based on location, ensuring that only users from trusted IPs could access the platform.

2.?Exchange Online

Similar configurations were applied to Exchange Online, restricting access based on location and IP to enhance security.

3.?PowerBI

Access to PowerBI was also restricted using conditional access policies, ensuring that sensitive data is only accessible to authorized users.

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Outcome

Our implementation successfully restricted access based on location and IP, significantly enhancing security and ensuring that only authorized users could access the applications. This approach not only protects businesses from potential financial losses but also helps maintain compliance with industry regulations.

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Key Takeaways

1. Consistency: Apply policies consistently across all applications to ensure robust security.
2. Security: Enhance security through conditional access policies that restrict access based on location and IP.
3. Flexibility: Adapt policies to meet the specific needs of your organization, ensuring a balance between security and user experience.

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Conclusion

Implementing conditional access policies is crucial in today’s threat landscape. These policies not only protect businesses from cyber threats but also improve the user experience by providing seamless access for trusted users while blocking suspicious activities.

For a detailed step-by-step guide and to learn more about how you can secure your organization, read our full blog here.