Entra ID Security Defaults: Turn Off?

Key insights

• Entra ID Security Defaults: Microsoft’s built-in baseline protections for new and unmanaged tenants that reduce common identity attacks like phishing, password spray, replay, and abuse of legacy authentication.
  They are enabled by default and available at no extra cost.
• MFA enforcement: Require all users and administrators to register and use multifactor authentication; Microsoft triggers MFA when its risk model demands it.
  Security Defaults also block legacy auth protocols and device code flow to lower exposure.
• When to turn them off: Disable Security Defaults only if you plan to implement Conditional Access or need more granular controls such as role-based, device, app, location, or risk-based policies.
  Microsoft requires Security Defaults to be disabled before you apply Conditional Access policies.
• How to disable: In the Microsoft Entra admin center go to Entra ID → Properties → Manage security defaults and set to Disabled, then save and record a reason.
  You can also turn them off via PowerShell or Microsoft Graph when automating tenant setup.
• Tenant behavior and timing: New tenants are enrolled automatically with a 24-hour grace period before enforcement and may receive periodic notices if they lack Conditional Access or use legacy clients.
  Security Defaults remain a free baseline option for Entra ID free and licensed tenants.
• Practical advice for MSPs and admins: Keep Security Defaults on for quick, low-maintenance protection; if you migrate to Conditional Access, plan the replacement policies first and then replace Security Defaults to avoid gaps.
  Document changes, test policies, and monitor authentication signals after switching.

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