Azure Conditional access and Policy Tips

Overview: The HP Authentication suite relies on Microsoft Graph APIs and Graph Delegated User permissions. Despite having Admin consent, Microsoft Azure can still restrict access through conditional access policies. These policies are complex and vary by tenant, allowing for customized security postures. This can control which users can use the application, include the application on the approval list, and even restrict user access based on various factors.

Not only do we need to consider conditional access, the HP Authentication suite does require TCP/IP and UDP Ports to be available including a number of whitelist URLS: See the following article What ports do I need to have open for Workpath apps

Key Conditions to Check:

• Conditional Access Policies: Ensure that the policies set in Microsoft Azure do not inadvertently block access. Review and adjust as necessary.
• Device Compliance: Verify that the user's device meets all compliance requirements set by your organization.
• User Permissions: Confirm that the user has the necessary permissions and that these permissions have not been altered or revoked.
• Application Approval: Check if the application is on the approved list for your organization.
• Network Location: Ensure that access is not being restricted based on the user's network location.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Verify that MFA requirements are being met and that there are no issues with the MFA setup.
• Sign-In Risk Policies: Review any sign-in risk policies that might be affecting access.
• IP Address Restrictions: Check if there are any IP address restrictions that might be blocking access.
• Browser and OS Requirements: Ensure that the user's browser and operating system meet the necessary requirements.
• Session Controls: Look into any session controls that might be limiting access duration or conditions.
• User Risk Policies: Review policies related to user risk that might be impacting access.
• Access Reviews: Ensure that periodic access reviews have not resulted in the removal of necessary permissions.
• Identity Protection Policies: Check if identity protection policies are triggering access blocks due to detected risks.
• Service Health: Verify the health status of Microsoft services to ensure there are no outages affecting access.

For more detailed information, refer to the following Microsoft resources:

Microsoft Graph API Documentation

Conditional Access in Azure Active Directory

Device Compliance Policies

Common user permissions issues can arise from various misconfigurations or oversights. Here are some typical problems and their causes:

• Incorrect Group or Role Assignment: Users may not be assigned to the correct group or role, leading to insufficient permissions.
• File or Folder Ownership Errors: Ownership of files or folders might be incorrectly set, preventing users from accessing or modifying them.
• Conflicts Between Inherited and Explicit Permissions: Permissions inherited from parent folders can conflict with explicitly set permissions, causing access issues.
• System or App Updates Overriding Settings: Updates to systems or applications can sometimes reset or override existing permission settings.
• Lack of Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Not implementing RBAC properly can lead to inconsistent and overly complex permission structures.
• Incomplete Onboarding or Offboarding Procedures: Failing to properly onboard or offboard users can result in incorrect or outdated permissions.
• IP Address Restrictions: Access might be restricted based on the user's IP address, which can cause issues if the user is accessing from an unapproved location.
• Browser and OS Requirements: Users might be using browsers or operating systems that do not meet the necessary requirements for certain permissions.
• Session Controls: Session controls might limit the duration or conditions under which a user can access resources.
• User Risk Policies: Policies related to user risk might block access if a user is deemed high-risk.

Addressing these issues typically involves reviewing and adjusting the relevant settings in your access control system, ensuring proper role assignments, and regularly updating and auditing permissions.

A "required approved app" policy can significantly impact user access to enterprise-registered applications by enforcing stricter controls on which applications can be used to access corporate resources. Here are some key effects:

Access Restriction to Approved Apps: Users can only access enterprise applications using apps that are explicitly approved by the organization. This ensures that only secure, vetted applications are used, reducing the risk of data breaches.

Enhanced Security: By limiting access to approved apps, organizations can enforce security policies such as app protection policies, which can include data encryption, preventing data leakage, and ensuring compliance with corporate security standards.

Conditional Access Policies: These policies can be configured to require that users access enterprise applications only through approved apps. This can include additional conditions such as device compliance, location, and user risk levels.

Compliance and Monitoring: Organizations can better monitor and ensure compliance with security policies by restricting access to approved apps. This helps in maintaining a secure environment and meeting regulatory requirements.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Microsoft Entra Conditional Access documentation.

Common issues with "required approved app" policies can arise from various factors. Here are some typical problems and their causes:

App Compatibility: Not all applications support the required app protection policies. This can lead to access issues if users try to use unsupported apps.

Device Registration: Devices must be registered in Microsoft Entra ID for the policies to apply. If a device is not registered, users may be unable to access enterprise applications.

Policy Conflicts: Conflicts between different conditional access policies can cause unexpected access denials. For example, a policy requiring an approved app might conflict with another policy requiring device compliance.

App Updates: Updates to either the approved apps or the underlying operating systems can sometimes cause compatibility issues, leading to access problems.

Network Requirements: Policies might restrict access based on network location, causing issues for users who are working remotely or from different locations.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Issues: If MFA is required as part of the policy, any issues with the MFA setup can prevent users from accessing the applications.

Error Messages and Dialogs: Users might encounter various error messages and dialogs that indicate issues with the app protection policies. These can often be due to misconfigurations or bugs.

Platform-Specific Limitations: Certain features or protections might be available on one platform (e.g., iOS) but not on another (e.g., Android), leading to inconsistent user experiences.

Data Transfer Restrictions: Policies that restrict data transfer to unmanaged apps can sometimes be bypassed by certain device features, leading to potential data leakage.

For more detailed troubleshooting steps, you can refer to the Microsoft Entra Conditional Access documentation and the Intune app protection policies troubleshooting guide else seek advice from Microsoft on how to diagnose conditional access issues for HP Authentication Manger and it's associated applications..