Microsoft Entra ID Avoid Disaster with a Break glass account

Key insights

• Break Glass Accounts are special emergency access accounts used when standard admin accounts become inaccessible. They ensure that authorized personnel can regain control of Microsoft Entra ID during critical situations.


• These accounts are essential for dealing with scenarios like Federation Service Failures, MFA Issues, and unexpected events like natural disasters, ensuring business continuity and security.


• Create multiple emergency access accounts to avoid a single point of failure. These should be cloud-only, using the *.onmicrosoft.com domain to prevent reliance on on-premises systems.


• Implement strong authentication methods such as passkeys (FIDO2) or certificate-based authentication to meet MFA requirements and enhance security.


• Ensure at least one break glass account is excluded from all Conditional Access policies to avoid accidental lockouts due to policy misconfigurations.


• Store credentials securely in fireproof locations, accessible only to authorized personnel, and regularly monitor sign-in logs for activity involving these accounts.

Ensuring Business Continuity with Microsoft Entra ID: The Importance of Break Glass Accounts

In today’s digital landscape, uninterrupted access to critical systems is paramount for business operations. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) serves as a cornerstone for identity and access management, making it essential to prepare for unforeseen circumstances that might impede administrative access. One vital strategy to mitigate such risks is the implementation of break glass accounts.

What Are Break Glass Accounts?

Break glass accounts, also known as emergency access accounts, are highly privileged accounts reserved exclusively for emergency scenarios where standard administrative accounts become inaccessible. These accounts act as a safety net, ensuring that authorized personnel can regain control over the organization’s Microsoft Entra ID environment during critical situations.

Why Are Break Glass Accounts Essential?

Organizations might encounter various scenarios necessitating the use of break glass accounts:

• Federation Service Failures: If federated identity providers experience outages, users may be unable to authenticate, disrupting access to essential services.
• Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Issues: Situations where all administrators’ MFA devices are unavailable or the MFA service itself is down can prevent role activation and access.
• Administrator Unavailability: The departure of the last Global Administrator without proper handover can leave the organization without necessary privileges.
• Unforeseen Events: Natural disasters or other emergencies might render standard authentication methods unusable.

In such events, break glass accounts provide a reliable method to maintain or restore administrative access, ensuring business continuity and security.

Best Practices for Managing Break Glass Accounts

To effectively implement and manage break glass accounts, consider the following guidelines:

• Create Multiple Emergency Access Accounts: Establish at least two emergency access accounts to prevent a single point of failure. These accounts should be cloud-only and use the *.onmicrosoft.com domain to avoid dependencies on on-premises systems or federated services.
• Implement Strong Authentication Methods: Utilize robust, phishing-resistant authentication methods for these accounts. Microsoft recommends using passkeys (FIDO2) or certificate-based authentication, as these methods satisfy mandatory MFA requirements and enhance security.
• Exclude from Conditional Access Policies: Ensure that at least one break glass account is excluded from all Conditional Access policies. This precaution prevents the account from being inadvertently locked out due to policy misconfigurations.
• Secure Storage of Credentials: Store the credentials for break glass accounts in secure, fireproof locations accessible only to authorized personnel. This measure protects against unauthorized access and ensures availability during emergencies.
• Regular Monitoring and Validation: Continuously monitor sign-in and audit logs for any activity involving break glass accounts. Regular drills should be conducted to validate that these accounts are functional and that authorized personnel are familiar with the procedures for their use.
• Assign Permanent Active Roles: In Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management, assign the Global Administrator role as ‘permanent active’ to your break glass accounts. This configuration ensures that these accounts are always ready for immediate use without requiring activation.

Adapting to Evolving Security Measures

As of February 2025, Microsoft has been enforcing MFA across various admin portals, including the Azure Portal and Microsoft 365 Admin Center. This enforcement extends to break glass accounts, necessitating compliance with updated authentication requirements. Organizations should ensure that their break glass accounts are configured with MFA to meet these standards.

Challenges and Considerations

While break glass accounts are essential for maintaining access during emergencies, there are several challenges and considerations to keep in mind:

• Balancing Security and Accessibility: While it is crucial to secure break glass accounts, they must also remain accessible to authorized personnel during emergencies. Striking the right balance is key to effective management.
• Regular Updates and Training: The procedures and configurations for break glass accounts should be regularly reviewed and updated. Additionally, staff should receive ongoing training to ensure they are prepared to use these accounts when necessary.
• Compliance with Regulations: Organizations must ensure that their use of break glass accounts complies with relevant regulations and industry standards. This includes maintaining proper documentation and audit trails.

Conclusion

In conclusion, break glass accounts are a critical component of any robust identity and access management strategy. By implementing best practices and adapting to evolving security measures, organizations can ensure that they remain prepared for any eventuality that might threaten their administrative access. As technology continues to advance, staying informed and proactive will be essential for maintaining business continuity and security in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Keywords

Microsoft Entra ID, Break glass account, Avoid disaster, Emergency access, Identity management, Security best practices, Account recovery, IT disaster planning