Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is a robust cloud-based identity and access management solution provided by Microsoft. It enables organizations to control user access and authenticate identities for various cloud services and applications. One crucial aspect of securing user accounts is monitoring and tracking logons, particularly those occurring outside of trusted locations. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the methods and best practices to track logons outside of trusted locations in Azure AD.
Understand Azure AD Trusted Locations:
Before diving into tracking logons, it’s essential to comprehend the concept of trusted locations in Azure AD. Trusted locations define the network ranges or IP addresses that are considered safe and secure. When a user attempts to log in from outside these trusted locations, it can indicate a potential security risk.
Enable Azure AD Sign-in Logs:
Azure AD provides a comprehensive set of sign-in and audit logs that capture user activities and events. By enabling sign-in logs, you gain visibility into when, where, and how users are accessing your Azure AD resources. To enable sign-in logs, follow these steps:
a. Navigate to the Azure portal and open Azure Active Directory.
b. Select “Diagnostic settings” from the Monitoring section.
c. Click on “Add diagnostic setting” and choose “Azure AD logs.”
d. Enable the desired log types, such as “Sign-in logs,” and configure the destination for the logs (e.g., Log Analytics workspace or Storage account).
e. Save the settings to start capturing sign-in logs.
Configuring Conditional Access Policies:
Azure AD Conditional Access policies allow you to define access controls based on specific conditions. By implementing conditional access policies, you can restrict or block logons from outside trusted locations. Follow these steps to configure a conditional access policy:
a. Open the Azure portal and navigate to Azure Active Directory.
b. Select “Conditional Access” from the Security section.
c. Click on “New policy” and define the policy settings.
d. Under the “Cloud apps or actions” section, select the desired applications or services you want to protect.
e. In the “Conditions” section, specify the desired conditions, such as “Locations” and exclude trusted locations.
f. Configure other policy settings as per your organization’s requirements.
g. Save the policy, and it will be enforced for the selected applications or services.
Analyzing Sign-in Logs:
With sign-in logs enabled, you can analyze them to identify logons outside of trusted locations. Here are some approaches to consider:
a. Using Azure Monitor: Azure Monitor allows you to query and analyze logs stored in Azure Log Analytics. You can construct queries to filter sign-in logs based on locations, user accounts, and other relevant parameters.
b. Utilizing Azure Sentinel: Azure Sentinel is a cloud-native security information and event management (SIEM) solution that can aggregate and analyze data from various sources, including Azure AD logs. Leverage its query capabilities and predefined analytics rules to detect and alert on logons outside of trusted locations.
Leveraging Azure AD Identity Protection:
Azure AD Identity Protection provides advanced capabilities to detect and respond to identity-related risks. By configuring risk policies within Identity Protection, you can identify risky sign-in events, including logons from unfamiliar locations. Follow these steps to set up risk policies:
a. Open the Azure portal and navigate to Azure Active Directory.
b. Select “Identity Protection” from the Security section.
c. Configure the desired risk policies based on your organization’s risk tolerance and requirements.
d. Customize the policy to include location-based risk factors.
e. Enable alerts and remediation actions to respond to risky sign-in events.
Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Multi-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification factors during sign-in. By enforcing MFA for logons outside of trusted locations, you can significantly enhance the security of your Azure AD environment. Configure MFA policies in Azure AD to prompt users for additional authentication methods when logging in from untrusted locations.
Educating Users and Establishing Security Awareness:
While implementing technical measures is crucial, educating users about security risks is equally important. Conduct regular security awareness training sessions to educate users about the dangers of logging in from untrusted locations. Promote best practices, such as using virtual private networks (VPNs) when accessing corporate resources remotely.
Conclusion:
Tracking logons outside of trusted locations is a critical aspect of securing user accounts and identifying potential security risks in Azure AD. By enabling sign-in logs, configuring conditional access policies, leveraging Azure AD Identity Protection, and promoting security awareness, organizations can enhance their ability to monitor and respond to logon events outside of trusted locations. Implementing these best practices will help organizations maintain a secure and protected Azure AD environment.