AZ 305 — Entra ID Access reviews

Summary

Access reviews in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) help organizations maintain security and compliance by regularly assessing and managing who has access to resources such as applications, groups, and SharePoint sites. These reviews can be scheduled to occur periodically, allowing designated reviewers—whether internal or external—to approve or revoke access as needed. Reviewers can also provide reasons for their decisions, aiding in auditing and record-keeping. By ensuring that only authorized individuals have access, these reviews play a crucial role in protecting data, preventing unauthorized access, and fostering a culture of security awareness within an organization.

Takeaways

• 😀 Access reviews in Microsoft Entra ID and Azure AD help organizations regularly review and manage user access to resources.
• 😀 These reviews ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive resources, supporting both security and compliance.
• 😀 Access reviews can be conducted for various resources, including applications, groups, and SharePoint Online sites.
• 😀 Organizations can configure access reviews to occur on a regular schedule, enhancing proactive security management.
• 😀 Reviewers for access reviews can be internal or external to the organization, allowing flexibility in the process.
• 😀 During an access review, reviewers assess who has access to a resource and decide whether to approve or revoke access.
• 😀 Access can be revoked immediately or scheduled for later, providing control over how access changes are implemented.
• 😀 Reviewers can provide reasons for their decisions, which is useful for auditing and understanding access changes.
• 😀 Access reviews help large organizations regularly identify and resolve access issues, ensuring security by limiting unnecessary access.
• 😀 These reviews play a crucial role in maintaining a security-aware culture within organizations, preventing breaches, and safeguarding data.
• 😀 Access reviews are important for Microsoft certification exams, as they may appear as a key topic in the test.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of access reviews in Microsoft Entra ID or AzureAD?

Access reviews in Microsoft Entra ID or AzureAD allow organizations to regularly review and manage access to resources, ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive resources.

Why are access reviews important for maintaining security and compliance?

Access reviews help ensure that only necessary users have access to resources, preventing unauthorized access, safeguarding sensitive data, and maintaining compliance with security policies.

What types of resources can be included in access reviews?

Access reviews can be conducted for various types of resources such as applications, groups, and SharePoint Online sites.

How can access reviews be scheduled in Microsoft Entra ID or AzureAD?

Access reviews can be configured to occur on a regular schedule, with reviewers selected to conduct the reviews at specified intervals.

Who can act as a reviewer in an access review process?

Reviewers can be internal or external to the organization. They are responsible for assessing the access of individuals to specific resources.

What choices does a reviewer have when conducting an access review?

Reviewers are presented with a list of individuals who have access to the resource and can choose to approve or revoke access for each person.

Can access be revoked immediately during an access review?

Yes, access can be revoked immediately or scheduled for a later date, depending on the reviewer's decision.

Is it possible for reviewers to provide reasons for their decisions during an access review?

Yes, reviewers can provide reasons for approving or revoking access, which can be useful for auditing purposes.

How do access reviews help large organizations manage access?

In large organizations, access reviews are crucial for regularly identifying and resolving access issues, ensuring that resources are accessed only by necessary users, and that access is revoked when no longer needed.

What overall security benefits do access reviews provide?

Access reviews help maintain security by assessing user access, ensuring compliance, preventing breaches, and safeguarding data while promoting a security-aware culture within the organization.