Enabling security defaults will enforce MFA on external users

A really good questions that I came across was whether enabling security defaults on a tenant will enforce MFA for external guest users.

Here is the documentation for security defaults:

Security defaults in Azure AD

and when enabled one of the things it will do is:

Require all users to register for Azure AD Multi Factor

which says:

All users in your tenant must register for multi-factor authentication (MFA) in the form of the Azure AD Multi-Factor Authentication. Users have 14 days to register for Azure AD Multi-Factor Authentication by using the Microsoft Authenticator app. After the 14 days have passed, the user can’t sign in until registration is completed. A user’s 14-day period begins after their first successful interactive sign-in after enabling security defaults.

The question is does “all users” include external guest users who have been invite into a tenant for collaboration on Microsoft Teams say? This is important because Microsoft is starting to enforce security defaults on all tenants.

Interestingly, none of the documentation seems to call out specifically whether “all users” does in fact include external guest users. After some digging I came across this post:

All users should be changed to all “member” users · Issue #78194 · MicrosoftDocs/azure-docs (github.com)

which has a response from someone at Microsoft and it says:

“Follow up from the product group… Security defaults should apply to guest users as well.”

So it looks as though it does indeed appear that security defaults applies to external guest users but I wanted to be sure.

I took a generic Gmail account I use and invited that user into a demo tenant that didn’t have security defaults enabled.

That user went through the expected process of connecting to the tenant.

using the email code verification process.

until they could access the tenant.

I also verified that they appeared in the Azure AD for that tenant.

So everything as expected so far.

Next, I invited that same user to a Microsoft Team inside that tenant.

and they could access that Team using the normal email code authentication process. I tried this a few times to ensure they could access the Team without needing anything but the usual email code. So far, so good still.

I then went in an enabled security defaults for the tenant.

After a few minutes wait to let the policies kick in I tried to login as the external guest user again to Microsoft Teams directly, and after providing a login and getting an email code I was prompted to enable MFA for the user as seen above.

Selecting Next will take you through the standard MFA registration process as you see above.

It is therefore the case that if you enable security defaults for a tenant, all users, INCLUDING any external guest users, will be REQUIRED to enable MFA to access resources inside that tenant.

Why this is important is because Microsoft will be enabling security defaults on ALL tenants as detailed here:

Raising the Baseline Security of all organizations in the World

which says:

“Based on usage patterns, we’ll start with organizations that are a good fit for security defaults. Specifically, we will start with customers who aren’t using Conditional Access, haven’t used security defaults before, and aren’t actively using legacy authentication clients.

Global admins of eligible tenants will be notified through email and the Microsoft 365 Message Center. Then, starting in late June [2022], they’ll receive [a] following prompt during sign-in”

Being it is now June 2022, this process has commenced. You can disable security defaults if you wish, even after they have been enabled, if desired per the details in the above link.

Given that I couldn’t find a specific answer about global external users being impact by security defaults, hopefully this now provides a reference for other looking for the same information.

Create a Dataverse database in Microsoft Teams

What I want to achieve in this process is to create a single Microsoft Dataverse database inside a Microsoft Teams and allow a basic Power Automate to add data to it.

Firstly, navigate to a Microsoft Team in the environment (here Automation), and select the + (plus) icon along the menu on the right as shown above.

In the list of options that appears, search for, and select Power Apps as shown above.

The first interesting thing, once you do that, is you typically can only select from pre-existing Power Apps that are listed in the dialog. However, there is an option create an app in Power Apps that you can select towards the bottom of the dialog as shown above.

You should then see the dialog display, like the one above, telling you to wait while things get set up.

If this process gets hung up after a minute or two, just refresh the page in your browser. You should now see something like that shown above with a list of the Microsoft Teams on the left. If you select the Microsoft Team you want to put the Dataverse database into (here Automation) you should see that nothing is built yet in the information area on the right.

Select the New button on the right and then App from the options that appear as shown above.

If you take a quick peek at the Power Platform admin center, in a new browser tab, and then Environments from the menu on the left or use the direct link:

https://admin.powerplatform.microsoft.com/environments

You’ll see that a new Power Platform environment has been created matching the name of the Microsoft Team (here Automation).

As the Microsoft documentation on Power Platform environments says:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/environments-overview

A Power Platform environment is a space to store, manage, and share your organization’s business data, apps, chatbots, and flows. It also serves as a container to separate apps that might have different roles, security requirements, or target audiences.

In essence, think of an environment as a container to store things you create in the Power Platform. When you create a Power Platform App inside a Microsoft Team, it creates them in a unique container.

The idea is that you should be able to easily switch between environments. However, if you navigate to the Power Platform service directly at:

https://make.powerapps.com/

You are not able to see the environment just created in Microsoft Teams as shown above for some reason. It seems the only environments you can see here are those created directly in the Power Apps make portal.

You can drill into the new Teams environment you just created in the Power Platform admin center by selecting it from the list. Information about the environment will be displayed as shown above.

If you return to your app creation process inside the Microsoft Team, you’ll now need to give your app a name (here Capture)

Typically, you build a full app here but for now all we want to create is a single database, so select the Data icon on the left (cylinder) as shown and then select the Create new table button to the right of it.

You’ll then be asked to give the table a name (here Id). If you open the Advanced settings option at the bottom of the dialog, you’ll see that there are not many additional options to select from.

Select the Create button to continue.

You should now see the table displayed as shown above. You’ll also notice that there is already a column called Name created. This is a bit like when you create a new SharePoint list and get a single column created for you as well.

If you try and edit this initial column by selecting the header and then the Edit column option from the menu that appears above,

you’ll find there are not a lot of options available. This maybe limiting or just annoying as it is in SharePoint, but for now just leave that column in place. You’ll just need to remember to put some data in it as it is a required field.

You can then add any addition columns you require. Here I’ve added the columns Domain, Date and Value. These are the fields I want to populate with custom data.

If I return to the previous screen you should now see the Dataverse database listed as shown above.

Returning to the Build page in Power Apps in Microsoft Teams, and selecting the Microsoft Team (here Automation), you should now see some entries in the Items created for Automation list on the right. Here, you should also see the database just created as noted above.

If you select the database directly from this screen you can drill in and see the table and any entries as shown above. No data appears in the table yet as none has been added.

The way to get data into the database here will be via a very basic Power Automate Flow. It is a good practice to create this also inside the same Power Platform environment in which the Dataverse database was just created. Do this via the Cloud Flows option on the left as shown above.

To create a Flow, select Cloud Flows, then from the menu at the top on the right select the + New button. From the options that appear select Cloud Flows then type of Flow desired (here an Instant Flow).

The process for creating a Flow is the same as if you were creating a stand alone Flow via the Power Automate service. In this case, simply add the Dataverse Add a new row action as shown above. Configure this action to connect to the Dataverse database created earlier (Ids), then add some random text for the required default Name field (Hello), then data for Date, Domain and Value as shown above.

Save and Run the Flow.

If everything is correct, the Flow should run without errors as shown above.

If you then look at the details of the database you should see that it now has data inside it as shown above.

You could also create a Flow directly from the Power Automate service, but remember to switch to the new Microsoft Teams environment that was created by adding a Power Automate app to the Microsoft Team before creating the Flow.

The final interesting item here is to look at the capacity of the new database in the Power Platform admin center where you’ll find that, although you have a total size of 2GB, about 25% has already been consumed by the system.

For more information about the Dataverse for Teams consult the Microsoft documentation here:

About the Microsoft Dataverse for Teams environment

Get your Azure invoice emailed to you

If you need a copy of the Azure invoice emailed to you then you can configure that inside your Azure portal be navigating firstly to the Cost Management + Billing.

Then select Invoices from the menu on the left.

Finally, select Invoice email preferences from the menu on the right then enter the desired email address on the right in the dialog that appears. Remember to save your changes and from now on that email address will receive a copy of your Azure invoice monthly.

Techwers 16

I am happy to announce that Techwerks 16 will be held in Brisbane CBD on Thursday August 18th 2022.

The course is limited to 30 people and you can sign up and reserve your place now! You reserve a place by completing this form:

http://bit.ly/ciaopsroi

or by sending me an email (director@ciaops.com) expressing your interest.

The content of these all day face to face workshops is driven by the attendees. That means we cover exactly what people want to see and focus on doing hands on, real world scenarios. Attendees can vote on topics they’d like to see covered prior to the day and we continue to target exactly what the small group of attendees wants to see. Thus, this is an excellent way to get really deep into the technology and have all the questions you’ve been dying to know answered. Typically, the event produces a number of best practice take aways for each attendee. So far, the greatest votes are for deeper dives into the Microsoft Cloud including Microsoft 365, Azure, Intune, Defender for Endpoint, security such as Azure Sentinel and PowerShell configuration and scripts, with a focus on enabling the technology in SMB businesses.

Recent testimonial – “I just wanted to say a big thank you to Robert for the Brisbane Techworks day. It is such a good format with each attendee asking what matters them and the whole interactive nature of the day. So much better than death by PowerPoint.” – Mike H.

The cost to attend in Brisbane is:

Gold Enterprise Patron = Free

Gold Patron = $33 inc GST

Silver Patron = $99 inc GST

Bronze Patron = $176 inc GST

Non Patron = $399 inc GST

I hope to also have a streaming option available as well. The costs for this will be:

Gold Enterprise Patron = Free

Gold Patron = Free

Silver Patron = Free

Bronze Patron = $33 inc GST

Non Patron = $99 inc GST

CIAOPS Patron information can be found here – www.ciaopspatron.com

I hope to see you there.

Defender for Endpoint device execution restrictions

This is a video run through of the recent articles I wrote:

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint device isolation

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint restrict app execution

This video will show you how to both isolate a device and restrict app execution on a device. Both of these are great ways to respond to a suspected device security threat and limit security breeches while still allowing remote troubleshooting.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Restrict app execution

In a recent blog I looked at how Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can allow an administrator to restrict a device from communicating with everything except the Defender for Endpoint admin console. You’ll find that post here:

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint device isolation

Isolating a device is a pretty drastic measure, however Defender for Endpoint does have another device restriction option that is probably less intrusive known as Restrict app execution.

What Restrict app execution does is that it present applications that are not signed by Microsoft from running.

To Restrict app execution on a device firstly navigate to:

https://security.microsoft.com

and select the Device inventory from the options on the left. This will display a list of all the devices that Defender for Endpoint knows about. Select the device you wish to isolate from the list. In the top right hand side should appear an option Restrict app execution as shown above.

Once you select this option you’ll need to provide a reason for this restriction and press the Confirm button. This action will be logged in the admin console for later reference.

You will see the action item display as shown above. You can also cancel if required here.

On the device, in a matter of moments, a message will now appear:

and if a non Microsoft application is run you’ll see:

putty.exe

Brave browser

This process is using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) that I have spoken about before:

Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) basics

which you can apply yourself via a policy, but in this case, it is being applied on the fly, which is impressive!

To remove this device restriction, all you need to do is select

the Remove app restriction which can be again found in the top right of the device page.

You’ll again be prompted to enter a reason for removing the restriction and then you’ll need to select the Confirm button.

The Action center confirmation will then appear as shown above and in a very short period of time the restriction will be removed from the device.

These confirmation can be found in the Action center option on the left hand side menu under the Actions & submissions item as shown above.

This is handy option in Defender for Endpoint for isolating a possible security issue on a device while minimising the impact to the user. Of course, smart attackers will use Microsoft tools located on the device, such as PowerShell to compromise machines to avoid this restriction. However, typically, they will also need to run a non-Microsoft application somewhere along the line which this technique will block.

For more information about Microsoft Defender Restrict app execution see the Microsoft documentation here:

Take response on a device

and remember that Restrict app execution is another feature that can be used with Defender for Endpoint when responding to security threats on devices.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint device isolation

Let’s say that you have device that you believe has a security threat serious enough that it should be ‘unplugged’ from the network. Doing so physically makes it hard to troubleshoot any incident unless you are in front of that machine. However, Defender for Endpoint allows you to isolate the machine from the network while still remaining connected to the Defender for Endpoint console.

To initiate the device isolation navigate to:

https://security.microsoft.com

and select the Device inventory option from the menu on the left hand side. That should show you a list of all devices that Defender for Endpoint knows about. Select the device you wish to isolate from the list that appears.

In the top right side of the device page you will find the option to Isolate a device. If you can’t see that option check the ellipse (three dots). Select the ellipse to display the menu shown above. In that menu should be an option Isolate device, which you should select.

You’ll now see a dialog appear as shown above asking you to confirm that you wish to isolate the selected device. You also have the option here to allow Outlook, Teams and Skype for Business while device is isolated if desired. You’ll also need to enter a reason for isolating the device. When all that is done, select the Confirm button.

You should now see the action confirmed in the security console as shown above. You also have the ability to cancel this if needed here.

Almost immediately, the device being isolated will warn the current use that isolation is taking place and the network is disabled as shown above. At that point the user will no longer be able to navigate beyond their current machine (i.e. no browsing Internet or local LAN, no printing and no emails). More importantly, any other covert sessions will also be blocked preventing a security threat from spreading.

As an administrator you will however be able to launch a Live response session in the Defender console, as shown above, to triage the device and run PowerShell scripts if needed.

If you now look in the menu in the top right of this device when you have completed your work, you will see an option Release from isolation as shown above, for that device.

You will once again need to provide a reason why this device is being released from insolation and then select the Confirm button to complete the process.

The Action center will appear again as the isolation is removed. You again, have the option to cancel this if you wish.

The history of the actions taken to isolate and release the device can be found in the Action center menu option under the Actions & submissions heading on the left in the Microsoft Security center.

Defender for Endpoint allow you to quickly and easily isolate a suspected device from all network connections but allow it to remain connected to the Defender console for remote troubleshooting. If you want to read more about this process then consult the Microsoft documentation here:

Isolate devices from the network

MVP 2022-23

I am once again happy to report that I have been renewed as an MVP for 2022-23. This is now my 11th year as an MVP and I am honoured to have been recognised.

Many people are not aware that the MVP award is annual. It isn’t something you ‘apply’ for, it is given is recognition of the work you do from the community around a Microsoft product or service in the previous year. For me, that is Microsoft 365. Thus, to continue to be recognised as an MVP you need to make relevant community contributions annually.

As always, I take this opportunity to thank Microsoft for this award. I have made so many great contacts there that help me every day in all sorts of ways. I am truly grateful for their assistance. Of course I also thank other members of the MVP community who also help me everyday by providing information that I simply couldn’t find elsewhere. Their real world application and implementation of Microsoft technologies is amazing! Finally, there is community of people using and implementing Microsoft cloud technologies that continue to provide real world questions that challenge me to assist and find solutions for. For all these people I also say thanks because this is where the rubber hits the road.

Hopefully, as we move to a world that is more open, it will be possible to once again travel and catch up with all these marvellous people face to face and strengthen the bonds that we have and share yet more information that I can then provide to my community, again face to face I hope.

Again I say thanks for the recognition and being award as an MVP for another year and I’m ready to continue to share my learnings and knowledge with the community at large.