If you’ve used Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), you’ve likely come across Security Defaults. Microsoft created them as a simple way to turn on MFA, block legacy authentication, and help small organizations defend against common attacks. (What are security defaults?, 2023)
But here’s the catch—defaults are just that: default. They’re not meant to scale with nuanced business requirements, compliance mandates, or the realities of MSP-managed environments. That’s where Conditional Access comes in.
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I’ve recorded a short video explaining Security Defaults vs Conditional Access with real-world examples on my YouTube channel – IT Blogs by Jaspreet.
Security Defaults: The Training Wheels
What they do well:
- Enforce MFA for all users.
- Block legacy authentication protocols.
- Require modern authentication across the board.
- Who they’re for:
- Small orgs without dedicated IT staff.
- Environments where “something is better than nothing.”
- Teams that don’t need granular control.
Security Defaults are like a starter kit. They’re free, easy to turn on, and quickly improve your basic security. But they’re also strict, with no room for exceptions or adjustments.(Configure Security Defaults for Microsoft Entra ID, 2024)
Conditional Access: The Power Tools
What it unlocks:
- Granular policies (per app, per user, per group).
- Context-aware access (location, device compliance, risk level).
- Integration with compliance frameworks and Zero Trust strategies.
- Who they’re for:
- MSPs manage multiple tenants with different needs.
- Organizations with hybrid workforces.
- Businesses subject to regulatory requirements (HIPAA, PCI, etc.).
Conditional Access lets you move beyond basic identity checks and start using identity as a real security tool. It’s flexible, but you’ll need to plan, test, and keep managing it over time. (Plan Your Microsoft Entra Conditional Access Deployment, 2025)
When to Switch
Here’s the decision point I use when advising clients (and in my own lab work):
Stay on Security Defaults if…
- You’re a small org with no IT team.
- You don’t have licensing for Conditional Access (requires Entra ID P1/P2). (Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access, 2024).
- You just need MFA and legacy auth blocked, nothing more.
- Switch to Conditional Access if…
- You need exceptions (e.g., service accounts, break-glass accounts).
- You want to enforce policies based on risk, device compliance, or geography.
- You’re building toward Zero Trust or compliance frameworks.
- You’re an MSP—because one-size-fits-all doesn’t cut it across tenants.
My Take
I see Security Defaults as a short-term safety net. They work well for quickly setting up a tenant or helping a small business without extra licenses. But if you want strong identity security or want to show you’re a security-focused MSP, you’ll need Conditional Access sooner or later.
Switching isn’t just about company size—it’s about how mature your security needs are. When you’re ready to control who can access what and when, Security Defaults start to hold you back instead of helping.
✅ Actionable Next Step
If you’re still on Security Defaults, start by mapping out your access scenarios:
- Who needs access from where?
- What devices are trusted?
- What apps are business-critical?
That plan will shape your Conditional Access policies. After you test them in your lab—I always suggest starting there—you’ll know when it’s the right time to make the change.
References
(2023). What are security defaults?. GoDaddy Help US. https://help-center-east.dc-aws.godaddy.com/help/what-are-security-defaults-42240
(2024). Configure Security Defaults for Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft Entra | Microsoft Learn. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/fundamentals/security-defaults
(2025). Plan Your Microsoft Entra Conditional Access Deployment. Microsoft Learn. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/conditional-access/plan-conditional-access
(2024). Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access. Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access. https://www.2azure.nl/2024/01/04/microsoft-managed-entra-id-conditional-access-policies-are-coming-to-eligible-tenants/
Jaspreet Singh Author @ ITBlogs.ca Identity & Cloud Security (Hands-on, not theoretical)