Resource 2025-12 7 min
Conditional Access baseline that is strict without being disruptive
A staged Conditional Access approach: enforce MFA and device trust while minimizing user-impact and helpdesk load.
Entra ID Conditional Access Identity
The goal
Conditional Access should reduce account risk without breaking productivity. The key is staging and clear exclusions.
Start with three rings
- Pilot ring: IT + a small volunteer group
- Standard ring: the majority of users
- High-risk ring: admin roles, finance, and privileged access
Controls that deliver the most value
- Require MFA for all users (with break-glass accounts excluded)
- Block legacy authentication
- Require compliant or hybrid-joined devices for sensitive apps
- Require phishing-resistant MFA for privileged roles
Avoid common failure modes
- Always create and test break-glass accounts before enforcement
- Use report-only mode first to measure impact
- Don’t stack multiple new requirements in a single rollout
- Make device compliance requirements explicit and measurable
What “done” looks like
- Report-only data shows who will be blocked and why
- MFA enforcement is complete
- Legacy auth is blocked
- Privileged roles have stronger requirements
- Exceptions are documented and time-bound
Quick actions
- Document ownership boundaries.
- Stage changes and verify outcomes.
- Measure and report monthly.
Want help implementing?
We can translate these controls into a staged plan with verification steps for your environment.