Microsoft Entra ID Security Audit

Microsoft 365 Security Controls, Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is the foundation of identity and access security in Microsoft 365. Our audit evaluates authentication, authorization, privileged access, and identity governance to reduce the risk of account compromise and unauthorized access.

✅ Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication for users and administrators
✅ Secure access using Conditional Access and risk-based policies
✅ Eliminate standing admin access with Privileged Identity Management
✅ Detect compromised accounts using identity risk protection
✅ Apply least-privilege access through role-based controls
✅ Strengthen Zero Trust identity security and audit readiness

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Why Microsoft Entra ID Security Controls Matter:

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What is Microsoft Entra ID?

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is a cloud-based identity and access management service. It helps organizations control user identities and manage access to cloud and on-premises resources. Entra ID is the foundation for secure sign-in to Microsoft 365, Azure, and third-party applications.

✅ Central identity store for users, groups, devices, and apps
✅ Handles authentication and authorization
✅ Provides secure access to Microsoft 365 services
✅ Supports modern identity standards (OAuth, SAML, OpenID)
✅ Enables Zero Trust security models

Microsoft Azure Security Services in Orange County, CA

OC Security Audit provides Microsoft Azure security services throughout Orange County.
We serve businesses in Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntingtonton Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, and other cities throughout Orange County, California.
✅ Secure Azure cloud infrastructure and workloads
✅ Protect identities, data, and virtual networks
✅ Improve cloud security posture and compliance

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What is the Main Role of Entra ID?

The primary role of Entra ID is to verify identities and control access to organizational resources. It ensures only trusted users and devices can access applications and data.Entra ID reduces identity-based security risks through policy enforcement.

✅ Authenticate users securely
✅ Control access to applications and services
✅ Enforce security policies like MFA
✅ Enable Single Sign-On (SSO)
✅ Protect identities from misuse and attacks

How to Secure Microsoft Entra ID

Securing Entra ID focuses on reducing identity risks and preventing unauthorized access. Security controls help detect suspicious behavior and limit privileged access. These practices are commonly reviewed during Microsoft 365 security audits.

✅ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
✅ Use Conditional Access policies
✅ Monitor risky sign-ins with Identity Protection
✅ Manage admin privileges using PIM
✅ Block legacy authentication methods

What is PIM (Privileged Identity Management)?

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a security feature in Microsoft Entra ID. It controls, monitors, and limits access to high-privilege administrative roles. PIM ensures admin access is temporary, approved, and fully audited.

✅ Provides just-in-time admin access
✅ Reduces standing (always-on) privileged accounts
✅ Requires approval and MFA for role activation
✅ Tracks and audits privileged role usage
✅ Helps meet compliance and security requirements

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How to Implement PIM (Privileged Identity Management)

Implementing PIM helps secure administrator roles by limiting permanent access. The process focuses on assigning eligible roles instead of always-on privileges. PIM is configured and managed from the Microsoft Entra admin center.

✅ Enable PIM in Microsoft Entra ID
✅ Assign users as Eligible for privileged roles
✅ Configure role activation settings (MFA, justification, approval)
✅ Set activation time limits for admin roles
✅ Review and audit role activations regularly

What is Conditional Access in Microsoft Entra ID?

Conditional Access is a policy-based security feature in Microsoft Entra ID. It decides how and when users can access apps based on conditions and risk. Conditional Access helps enforce Zero Trust by verifying every sign-in.

✅ Controls access based on user, device, and location
✅ Requires MFA when conditions are met
✅ Blocks access from risky or unknown sign-ins
✅ Applies policies to specific apps or users
✅ Reduces identity-based security threats

Practical Examples of Conditional Access in Microsoft Entra ID

Conditional Access policies are used to protect access based on real-world risks. They dynamically enforce security controls during user sign-in. These examples show how organizations commonly apply Conditional Access.

✅ Require MFA when users sign in from outside the corporate network
✅ Block access from high-risk or unfamiliar locations
✅ Enforce compliant or hybrid-joined devices for access
✅ Require MFA for all administrator role sign-ins
✅ Block legacy authentication protocols

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Microsoft Entra ID and Office 365: How Are They Related?

Microsoft Entra ID is the identity platform that Office 365 depends on. Office 365 uses Entra ID to authenticate users and control access to its services. Without Entra ID, Office 365 users cannot sign in or be secured properly.

✅ Entra ID manages user sign-in for Office 365
✅ Office 365 trusts Entra ID for authentication and authorization
✅ Conditional Access protects Office 365 apps
✅ MFA for Office 365 is enforced through Entra ID
✅ User accounts for Office 365 are stored in Entra ID

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We support businesses in Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, and other cities throughout Orange County.
✅ Protect against phishing, malware, and email-based threats
✅ Secure Microsoft 365 accounts, email, and data
✅ Strengthen user access and cloud security posture

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Identity & Access Security Checklist (Microsoft Entra / M365)

☐ Ensure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enforced for all users
☐ Ensure MFA is enforced for all privileged administrator accounts
☐ Ensure legacy authentication protocols are disabled

Conditional Access

☐ Ensure Conditional Access policies are enabled
☐ Ensure Conditional Access policies cover all cloud applications
☐ Ensure Conditional Access policies enforce MFA
☐ Ensure Conditional Access policies enforce device compliance
☐ Ensure Conditional Access policies restrict risky sign-ins
☐ Ensure Conditional Access policies restrict risky users
☐ Ensure named locations are defined and maintained
☐ Ensure external access is restricted using Conditional Access

Authentication & Password Protection

☐ Ensure password protection policies block weak passwords
☐ Ensure smart lockout is configured
☐ Ensure self-service password reset (SSPR) is enabled
☐ Ensure SSPR requires multiple authentication methods
☐ Ensure authentication methods are limited to approved methods
☐ Ensure FIDO2 authentication is configured where supported

Identity Protection & Risk Management

☐ Ensure identity protection risk policies are enabled
☐ Ensure sign-in risk policies are enforced
☐ Ensure user risk policies are enforced

Privileged Access & Administrative Security

☐ Ensure break-glass accounts exist and are protected
☐ Ensure break-glass accounts are excluded only where necessary
☐ Ensure the number of Global Administrators is minimized
☐ Ensure privileged roles are assigned only as required

Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

☐ Ensure Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is enabled
☐ Ensure PIM enforces approval for role activation
☐ Ensure PIM enforces time-bound role activation
☐ Ensure PIM enforces MFA on activation
☐ Ensure access reviews are configured for privileged roles

Guest & External Access

☐ Ensure access reviews are configured for guest users
☐ Ensure external (B2B) collaboration settings are restricted
☐ Ensure guest users require MFA
☐ Ensure guest access expiration is enforced

Logging, Monitoring & Governance

☐ Ensure sign-in logs are retained per policy
☐ Ensure directory audit logs are retained per policy
☐ Ensure admin consent for applications is restricted
☐ Ensure user consent for applications is restricted
☐ Ensure token lifetime policies are defined
☐ Ensure Entra Secure Score is reviewed regularly
☐ Ensure identity-related alerts are monitored and responded to

Microsoft 365 Security Controls – Microsoft Entra ID

📌 Control 1: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Control Item

Enforce MFA for all users and administrators.

Purpose

Prevents account compromise by requiring multiple authentication factors.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Credential theft through phishing

  • Unauthorized account access

How to Remediate

  • Enforce MFA via Conditional Access

  • Secure break-glass accounts

📌 Control 2: MFA for Privileged Roles

Control Item

Require MFA for all privileged administrative roles.

Purpose

Protects high-impact administrative access.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Full tenant compromise

How to Remediate

  • Enforce MFA for directory roles

  • Monitor admin sign-ins

📌 Control 3: Conditional Access Baseline Policies

Control Item

Implement baseline Conditional Access policies.

Purpose

Dynamically enforces access based on risk.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Access from risky locations or devices

How to Remediate

  • Block legacy authentication

  • Require compliant devices

📌 Control 4: Legacy Authentication Blocking

Control Item

Disable legacy authentication protocols.

Purpose

Prevents password-only authentication attacks.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • MFA bypass attacks

How to Remediate

  • Block legacy protocols tenant-wide

📌 Control 5: Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

Control Item

Use PIM for just-in-time admin access.

Purpose

Reduces standing administrative privileges.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Insider threats

  • Excessive admin access

How to Remediate

  • Enable PIM for all admin roles

📌 Control 6: Role Assignment Reviews

Control Item

Review privileged role assignments regularly.

Purpose

Ensures only authorized users have admin access.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Privilege creep

How to Remediate

  • Schedule access reviews

📌 Control 7: Least Privilege Role Design

Control Item

Apply least privilege access principles.

Purpose

Limits blast radius of compromised accounts.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Excessive permissions

How to Remediate

  • Replace Global Admin with scoped roles

📌 Control 8: Identity Protection – User Risk Policies

Control Item

Enable user risk-based policies.

Purpose

Detects compromised user identities.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Compromised users remain active

How to Remediate

  • Require password reset on high risk

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📌 Control 9: Identity Protection – Sign-In Risk Policies

Control Item

Enforce sign-in risk policies.

Purpose

Blocks or challenges risky sign-ins.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Unauthorized access attempts

How to Remediate

  • Require MFA or block high-risk sign-ins

📌 Control 10: Access Reviews for Users & Guests

Control Item

Perform periodic access reviews.

Purpose

Ensures continued need for access.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Dormant or unnecessary access

How to Remediate

  • Enable automated access reviews

📌 Control 11: Guest User Restrictions

Control Item

Restrict and govern guest access.

Purpose

Limits exposure from external identities.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • External account misuse

How to Remediate

  • Apply guest Conditional Access policies

📌 Control 12: External Identity Lifecycle Management

Control Item

Manage guest onboarding and offboarding.

Purpose

Prevents orphaned external accounts.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Long-term unauthorized access

How to Remediate

  • Enforce guest expiration policies

📌 Control 13: Application Consent Governance

Control Item

Restrict application consent permissions.

Purpose

Prevents excessive app access to data.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Data exfiltration via OAuth apps

How to Remediate

  • Require admin consent

📌 Control 14: Enterprise Application Permissions Review

Control Item

Review enterprise application permissions.

Purpose

Ensures apps only have required access.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Over-privileged applications

How to Remediate

  • Remove unused or risky apps

📌 Control 15: Service Account Security

Control Item

Secure service and non-interactive accounts.

Purpose

Protects high-value automation accounts.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Silent tenant compromise

How to Remediate

  • Use managed identities

  • Rotate credentials

📌 Control 16: Password Protection Policies

Control Item

Enable password protection and banned passwords.

Purpose

Prevents weak and common passwords.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Password spraying attacks

How to Remediate

  • Enable Azure password protection

📌 Control 17: Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR)

Control Item

Enable secure self-service password reset.

Purpose

Reduces helpdesk load while maintaining security.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Increased operational risk

How to Remediate

  • Require MFA for SSPR

📌 Control 18: Sign-In & Audit Log Retention

Control Item

Retain Entra ID sign-in and audit logs.

Purpose

Supports investigations and audits.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Lack of forensic evidence

How to Remediate

  • Export logs to SIEM

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📌 Control 19: Identity Alerting & Monitoring

Control Item

Configure alerts for risky identity events.

Purpose

Ensures timely incident response.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Delayed breach detection

How to Remediate

  • Enable identity-based alerts

📌 Control 20: Identity Governance & Documentation

Control Item

Document identity policies and procedures.

Purpose

Ensures consistency and audit readiness.

Risk Involved if Not Implemented

  • Audit findings

  • Inconsistent enforcement

How to Remediate

  • Maintain identity governance documentation

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