Detecting and preventing unauthorized sign-ins is essential for cloud application security. These attempts can come from hackers using leaked credentials, compromised devices, or anonymized IPs, as well as legitimate users in unusual locations or on unfamiliar devices. Identifying risky sign-ins and implementing protective measures is vital to safeguard your organization.
Common Risk Factors in Microsoft 365 Sign-in
The common risk factors for the risky sign-in feature in Microsoft 365 include:
- Sign-ins from Unfamiliar Locations: Sign-ins from locations that the user has not previously accessed can trigger a risk alert.
- Sign-ins from Infected Devices: If a device used for sign-in is known to be infected with malware or other malicious software, it can be flagged as risky.
- Sign-ins from Anonymous IP Addresses: Using anonymous IP addresses, such as those from VPNs or Tor networks, can raise suspicion and be considered risky.
- Impossible Travel: Sign-ins from geographically distant locations within a short time frame, making it impossible for the user to travel between them, are flagged as risky.
- Sign-ins from IP Addresses with Suspicious Activity: IP addresses that have been associated with malicious activity or are on watch lists can trigger risk alerts.
- Leaked Credentials: If a user’s credentials are found in data breaches or other sources, sign-ins using those credentials are considered high risk.
These risk factors help Azure AD identify and respond to potentially unauthorized access attempts, enhancing the overall security of your organization.
Remediation Steps
When a sign-in is flagged as risky in Microsoft 365, you have several actions you can take to address the issue:
- Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Prompt the user to complete an MFA challenge to verify their identity. This adds an extra layer of security and helps ensure that the sign-in attempt is legitimate.
- Block the Sign-In: You can block the sign-in attempt to prevent potential unauthorized access. This is useful if you suspect that the sign-in is malicious.
- Reset Password: Force the user to reset their password. This helps secure the account if you believe the credentials may have been compromised.
- Dismiss the Risk: If, after investigation, you determine that the sign-in attempt is not actually risky, you can dismiss the risk. This action marks the sign-in as safe and removes it from the list of risky sign-ins.
- Enable Self-Remediation: Set up risk-based policies that allow users to self-remediate their risks. For example, users can perform MFA or change their password to resolve the risk themselves.
- Monitor and Review: Regularly monitor and review flagged sign-ins through the Azure AD portal. This helps you stay informed about potential security issues and take timely action.
These actions help you manage and mitigate risks associated with suspicious sign-in attempts, enhancing the overall security of your organization.
Benefits of Microsoft 365 Risky sign-in Feature
The risky sign-in feature in Microsoft 365 offers several benefits that enhance your organization’s security:
Enhanced Security: By detecting and responding to suspicious sign-in attempts, this feature helps prevent unauthorized access to your organization’s resources. It identifies potential threats based on various risk factors, such as sign-ins from unfamiliar locations or infected devices.
Automated Responses: Azure AD can automatically take actions like requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) or blocking sign-ins when risky behavior is detected. This reduces the need for manual intervention and ensures a quick response to potential threats.
Improved User Awareness: Users are prompted to take additional security measures, such as changing their passwords or completing MFA, which increases their awareness of security practices and helps protect their accounts.
Centralized Management: Administrators can view and manage risky sign-ins from a centralized dashboard, making it easier to monitor and respond to potential security issues across the organization.
Compliance and Reporting: The feature provides detailed reports on risky sign-ins and actions taken, which can be useful for compliance purposes and for understanding the security landscape of your organization.
With a strong background of managed cloud services, we can help you with managing these risks and set up policies to handle them.