Tutorial / Cram Notes
Conditional Access App Control acts as a reverse proxy, sitting between the user and the cloud application. When a user attempts to access a cloud application, Conditional Access policies determine whether the session is allowed, blocked, or if it should be routed through App Control for enhanced monitoring and policy application.
Prerequisites for Configuring App Control
Before configuring Conditional Access App Control, make sure the following prerequisites are met:
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is activated.
- User identities are managed with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD).
- Conditional Access is available as part of your subscription (Azure AD Premium P1 or P2).
Setting Up Conditional Access App Control Policies
To set up Conditional Access App Control, follow these general steps:
- Sign in to the Azure portal: Access the Azure portal using an account with administrative privileges.
- Navigate to Conditional Access: Go to Azure Active Directory > Security > Conditional Access.
- Create a new policy: Click on “New policy” and give it a meaningful name.
- Define the Assignments:
- Users and groups: Select the users/groups that the policy will apply to.
- Cloud apps or actions: Specify the applications that the policy will control.
- Access Controls:
- Session: In Session Controls, select “Use Conditional Access App Control”, then choose the type of session control you want to enforce, such as “Monitor only”, “Block downloads”, or “Custom policy”.
- Enable Policy: Set “Enable policy” to “On” to activate the policy upon creation.
- Save: Click “Create” to save the policy and apply the settings.
Example of a Conditional Access App Control Policy
Here is an example scenario that describes a Conditional Access App Control policy in action:
Suppose your organization wants to prevent data leakage by blocking downloads of sensitive documents from SharePoint Online when accessed from unmanaged devices. A Conditional Access App Control policy can be configured to allow access to SharePoint Online but block file downloads on unmanaged devices.
Policy Example:
- Policy Name: Block Download on Unmanaged Devices
- Users and Groups: All Users (or a specific group)
- Cloud Apps: SharePoint Online
- Conditions: Device State (Exclude domain-joined or compliant devices)
- Session: Use Conditional Access App Control, then choose “Block downloads”.
This policy will ensure that users can access SharePoint Online, but if the session is initiated from an unmanaged device, they will not be able to download documents, effectively reducing the risk of data loss.
Comparison of Session Controls
Conditional Access App Control provides various session controls. Here’s a comparison of common options:
| Control Type | Description | Use Case Scenario |
| Monitor Only | Records session activities without intervention. | Auditing and analyzing user behavior. |
| Block Downloads | Prevents downloading of files from the app. | Protects against data exfiltration on unmanaged devices. |
| Custom Policy | Custom rules defined using Defender for Cloud Apps. | Applies tailored controls such as blocking uploads, limiting sharing, or providing real-time warnings. |
Monitoring and Reporting
After configuring Conditional Access App Control policies, you can monitor sessions and generate reports within the Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps portal. Navigate to the portal to view activity logs, alerts, and to take actions if needed.
Conclusion
Configuring Conditional Access App Control is a powerful way to protect against risks associated with cloud app access, ensuring that only authorized users under the right conditions can access corporate data. Whether you’re preparing for the SC-300 exam or looking to implement Conditional Access in your organization, understanding how to effectively configure these policies is essential for maintaining a robust security posture.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Conditional Access App Control relies on Microsoft Cloud App Security to provide real-time monitoring and control.
- Answer: True
Conditional App Control uses Microsoft Cloud App Security to monitor user activities and session-based actions in real-time, applying policies to control what users can do within cloud apps.
True or False: Once a Conditional Access policy is enabled, it cannot be disabled or deleted.
- Answer: False
Conditional Access policies can be edited, disabled, or deleted within the Azure Portal as an organization’s needs change.
Which of the following can Conditional Access App Control do?
- A) Provide session-based risk assessment.
- B) Offer real-time data loss prevention.
- C) Restrict access from non-compliant devices.
- D) Enforce MFA at every sign-in regardless of user location.
- Answer: A, B, C
Conditional Access App Control can provide session-based risk assessment and real-time data loss prevention, as well as restrict access from non-compliant devices. Enforcing MFA at every sign-in, regardless of location, is a function of Conditional Access policies, not specifically Conditional Access App Control.
True or False: Conditional Access App Control only works for applications that are part of the Azure AD app gallery.
- Answer: False
Conditional Access App Control can be applied to any app that supports SAML or OpenID Connect, not just those in the Azure AD app gallery.
Which of the following is a prerequisite for using Conditional Access App Control?
- A) Enabling Azure AD Identity Protection
- B) Integrating with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
- C) Having an Azure AD Premium P1 license
- D) Securing API connections with OAuth 0
- Answer: B
Integrating with Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formerly Microsoft Cloud App Security) is necessary to leverage Conditional Access App Control.
True or False: Custom policies in Conditional Access App Control can only be set by Microsoft support.
- Answer: False
Administrators have the ability to create custom policies directly within Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps according to their organizational requirements.
Select the true statements regarding Conditional Access App Control use cases:
- A) Blocking the download of sensitive data
- B) Forcing password changes every 30 days
- C) Controlling file upload based on content inspection
- D) Monitoring for unusual user behavior
- Answer: A, C, D
Conditional Access App Control can be used to block the download of sensitive data, control file uploads based on content, and monitor for unusual behavior. Forcing password changes periodically is managed through password policies, not Conditional Access App Control.
True or False: Conditional Access App Control is only available for web-based applications.
- Answer: True
Conditional Access App Control is designed to work with web-based applications, leveraging reverse proxy functionality to provide real-time session monitoring and control.
How does Conditional Access App Control apply to user sessions?
- A) It modifies permissions within the app.
- B) It routes traffic through a reverse proxy.
- C) It installs software on the user’s device.
- D) It uses Azure AD B2C to enforce rules.
- Answer: B
Conditional Access App Control routes user sessions through a reverse proxy provided by Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to apply real-time monitoring and controls.
True or False: Conditional Access App Control policies can enforce the use of managed devices only.
- Answer: True
Policies can be set up to allow access to cloud apps only from managed devices, providing an additional layer of security through device management compliance.
What are the potential actions you can set for unmanaged devices in Conditional Access App Control policies?
- A) Block access
- B) Limit session capabilities
- C) Force device encryption
- D) Enforce antivirus installation
- Answer: A, B
Conditional Access App Control can block access altogether or limit session capabilities, such as download and print restrictions for unmanaged devices. Forcing device encryption and enforcing antivirus installation are not functions of app control policies.
True or False: You must have Global Administrator or Security Administrator role assignments to configure Conditional Access App Control.
- Answer: True
To configure Conditional Access App Control in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, you must be assigned either the Global Administrator or Security Administrator role in Azure AD.
Interview Questions
What is Conditional Access App Control?
Conditional Access App Control provides real-time session control and protection for applications.
What is the primary feature of Conditional Access App Control?
It provides the ability to control user sessions in real-time and monitor user activity.
How does Conditional Access App Control work?
It uses reverse-proxy technology to control user sessions, enabling granular policy enforcement and session monitoring.
What are the benefits of using Conditional Access App Control?
It provides real-time session control and protection for applications, enables granular policy enforcement, and reduces the risk of data leakage and unauthorized access.
What are the requirements for using Conditional Access App Control?
To use Conditional Access App Control, an organization must have an Azure AD Premium license, the Azure AD Application Proxy must be deployed and configured, and the application being protected must be published through the Azure AD Application Proxy.
What is the role of reverse proxy in Conditional Access App Control?
The reverse proxy technology in Conditional Access App Control enables the real-time control and monitoring of user sessions.
What types of apps are supported by Conditional Access App Control?
Conditional Access App Control supports a wide range of SaaS applications, including Microsoft and non-Microsoft applications.
Can Conditional Access App Control be used to monitor user activity within an app?
Yes, Conditional Access App Control provides real-time monitoring and session control, allowing organizations to monitor user activity within the protected application.
Can Conditional Access App Control be used to block access to a protected app based on certain conditions?
Yes, Conditional Access App Control enables granular policy enforcement and can be used to block access to a protected app based on certain conditions, such as user location or device compliance.
How does Conditional Access App Control integrate with Azure AD Conditional Access policies?
Conditional Access App Control can be integrated with Azure AD Conditional Access policies to provide a comprehensive access control solution for cloud applications.
Can Conditional Access App Control be used to protect on-premises applications?
Yes, Conditional Access App Control can be used to protect on-premises applications through the use of the Azure AD Application Proxy.
What is the difference between Conditional Access App Control and Azure AD Application Proxy?
Azure AD Application Proxy provides secure remote access to on-premises web applications, while Conditional Access App Control provides real-time session control and protection for cloud applications.
Can Conditional Access App Control be used to prevent data leakage?
Yes, Conditional Access App Control can be used to prevent data leakage by controlling user access and monitoring user activity within the protected application.
Can Conditional Access App Control be used to protect against external threats?
Yes, Conditional Access App Control can be used to protect against external threats by enforcing granular policies and monitoring user activity within the protected application.
How can an organization get started with implementing Conditional Access App Control?
To get started with implementing Conditional Access App Control, an organization should first ensure that they have the necessary licenses and infrastructure in place. They can then configure the Azure AD Application Proxy and begin protecting their cloud applications with Conditional Access App Control policies.
This blog post on configuring Conditional Access App Control has been really helpful!
I’m prepping for my SC-300 exam and this guide was just what I needed. Thanks!
I’ve been struggling to understand the session control settings. Can someone explain how to configure these properly?
Really appreciate the step-by-step approach here, very easy to follow!
For those who have implemented conditional access app control, how has it impacted your organization’s security so far?
It definitely adds an extra layer of security, particularly when users are accessing sensitive information remotely.
Can Conditional Access App Control be used with third-party cloud apps?
Yes, it can. As long as the third-party app supports SAML or OpenID Connect, you can integrate it with Conditional Access App Control.
I found this guide lacking in detailed troubleshooting steps…
What are some best practices for configuring Conditional Access policies?
Start by defining your objectives clearly—whether it’s securing sensitive data or ensuring compliance. Then, start with a limited rollout to test the policies before full deployment.
Also, always include exceptions for your own access and have a fallback plan in case you accidentally lock yourself out.