Essential Guide to Microsoft 365 Emergency Access Account

Key Highlights

• A break glass account is known as an emergency access account. It lets you have administrative access to Microsoft 365 if the main admin accounts are locked out.
• These emergency access accounts are needed for your business. They keep your systems up when your regular admin accounts or usual authentication methods do not work.
• You need to set up at least two cloud-only emergency access accounts. Give them the Global Administrator role in Microsoft Entra ID.
• Do not add these accounts to Conditional Access policies that ask for MFA. That way, they will not get locked out if MFA is down.
• Keep the credentials for these accounts in a fireproof safe. Use alerts to watch their sign-in activity, so you can see if someone tries to use them the wrong way.
• Take time to test and review these break glass accounts often. This will help you know they will be ready when there is a real emergency.

Introduction

Think about what can happen if you cannot get into your Microsoft 365 account. You may forget your password, or there could be an authentication issue. When this happens, you may not be able to do your work at all. This is why having an emergency access account is so important. It lets you get your administrative access back in a safe way if you need to.

This guide will help you learn about emergency access accounts. It explains why you need them to keep your administrative access to Microsoft. You will find out how to set up these accounts the right way. If you follow what’s shared here, you can get your access back in a tough moment. This will help keep you and your business from downtime. You will also lower the risk of security problems.

Understanding Emergency Access Accounts in Microsoft 365

An emergency access account is a special user account in Microsoft 365. You use this account during emergencies, which many people call “break glass” situations. It works like a master key. You use it when you cannot sign in with any other user account or password. The main reason for the emergency access account is to give you administrative access. You need it if your normal way to get in will not work. This account stops you from being locked out of your system. The emergency access account is very helpful when things go wrong in Microsoft 365.

These accounts in Microsoft Entra ID often have the Global Administrator role. This means they get a lot of permissions in your Microsoft tenant. These accounts are not used by just one person. The rules for using them are very strict. It is important to handle these accounts well. Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is one tool you can use to manage what they can do.

Now, let us see what is special about these accounts. We will also talk about why they are so important in Microsoft Entra.

What Makes a Break Glass Account Different from Standard Admin Accounts

A break glass account is not the same as a normal admin account. A normal admin account is used every day. You use it for your usual tasks and work. A break glass account is only for emergencies. You use it when you can’t get in with your normal access. This is an important difference to keep your IT system safe. Using your break glass account and admin account the right way helps to protect the system.

These emergency accounts don’t need to follow many of the same security steps as other users. For example, they often do not have to use multifactor authentication (mfa), and they may not need to use some conditional access rules. This happens because sometimes there can be a problem with authentication or mfa services. So, if there is a lockout, these accounts can still be used. Regular admin accounts should always follow every security rule, like using conditional access and multifactor authentication.

A break glass account should be in the cloud only. You need to set up this account in Microsoft Entra ID. In the past, people called it Azure Active Directory. Do not make this account in your on-premises Active Directory. The reason for this is simple. Keeping it apart helps you if your on-premises setup has a problem. You will then still get into your cloud services.

Also, you get extra safety by using different authentication methods for the break glass account. This way, your main authentication and your break glass account do not share the same risk.

Having this setup in Microsoft Entra ID or Azure Active Directory is a good practice. It helps keep your information safe in the cloud and lets you get in when your normal way does not work.

Why Microsoft 365 Emergency Access Accounts Are Essential for Security and Continuity

If you do not have emergency access, your group might get locked out of its Microsoft 365 tenant. A small error in a rule, issues with MFA, or if a key admin leaves with no warning, you might lose control of your set up. This could mean long downtime. It will also be hard for people to do their jobs, which can bring many problems fast. So, it is important to have emergency access set up if something goes wrong with Microsoft 365, MFA, or the admin accounts.

These emergency accounts are like a backup for your business. They give you uninterrupted access when your IT team has to fix big problems. If a conditional access policy makes things hard or if you need to help other admins get back in, the emergency account will help you. You can act fast with it and fix security issues or deal with technical failures right away. This lets you stop bigger problems and save money that you could lose. The right emergency account means you have a way to keep working when you need it most.

If you keep a global administrator account just for emergencies, you can add strong safety rules to your everyday administrator account. You will not worry about getting locked out for good. This helps your security be better, but you still have a way to get back in if things do not go as planned.

Common Scenarios Requiring Emergency Access

You may ask when to use a break glass account. A break glass account is for those critical situations. It helps when you need administrative access, but you can’t get in the usual way. You use this account during outages, authentication problems, or when the main admin accounts do not work. A break glass account lets you get control back fast in these times.

If you know these situations, you will know why having a good backup is so important. A lockout for the admin can happen at any time and without any notice. If you are ready with an emergency account, you can fix the problem fast. The next parts will talk about these problems, like lockouts and having trouble with mfa.

Admin Lockout Events and Security Risks

An admin lockout can happen for a few things. A wrong security policy setting can block you. A mistake like removing an admin account can also do this. Sometimes, you may have trouble with identity providers. When you are locked out, you cannot manage people or fix security issues fast. You also cannot run your services the way you want. This can cause downtime for your business.

The risks from a lockout are real, and can lead to trouble. When you have a lockout, you may not be able to move fast if there is a cyberattack. This can make your system open to attackers. During this time, they can use it to get more control or even take your data. Here are some of the main lockout cases:

• The only administrator leaves the group and does not move the credentials.
• A conditional access policy is set up in the wrong way. This can stop all admins from getting in.
• A federated identity provider is not working. Because of this, federated users can not sign in.

Having an emergency account with Global Administrator rights helps you avoid many problems. This gives you a safe way to take back control when things go wrong. You can fix trouble and get things back to normal by yourself, without the need for help from others.

Using Privileged Identity Management (PIM) lets you have more control. But if things do not work right, having a break glass account is the best backup. A break glass account is there for you when you need it most.

Multi-Factor Authentication Failures and Conditional Access Blockages

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, is a key tool for online security now. But it is not free of problems. Sometimes, you can have trouble with the network or the service. If this takes place, the system may not send the mfa request. When this keeps happening, admins might get locked out of their own accounts.

If the admin has just one device for MFA, the trouble can grow. If this device gets lost, taken, or stops working, they cannot get the mfa request. Then, they will not be able to get into the system or say yes to any authentication steps.

Conditional access policies can help keep things safe. But if you set them up wrong, you might have a big issue. A new conditional access policy can block all the people who manage your system. This means they would not be able to get in at all. Some common problems happen in these areas:

• Right now, there is a problem with the mfa service. Because of this, you do not get phone calls or text messages.
• The app on the admin’s device is not there now.
• A new CA rule blocks people from using all places or devices.

This is why many people set up emergency access accounts. These accounts are not blocked by those CA policies. They let you get in without needing MFA. A way like this gives you a backup. It helps you get back into your tenant if you have a problem. This is a good precaution and will make sure you do not lock yourself out because of your own security rules.

Planning Your Microsoft 365 Emergency Access Account

Good planning is important when you set up an emergency access plan. You first need to know what counts as an emergency, and who can use the credentials in that time. Also, you have to know what each account can do. If you plan well, you stop people from using accounts the wrong way. This helps the accounts work right when you need help most.

You should make at least two emergency accounts in Microsoft Entra ID. Give these accounts the Global Administrator role. This makes sure they always have the access they need to fix any problem. The next parts will show you which roles to pick and help you know how many accounts fit for your company. If your business wants more help, you can look for small business tech support services. This can be a good way to get more help.

Using Microsoft Entra and giving out the global administrator role in your Microsoft Entra ID is smart. It will help your business keep working the right way.

Key Roles and Permissions Needed

For emergency access to work well, the account must have the highest amount of permissions. The Global Administrator role in Microsoft Entra ID is the best choice for this. With this role, you have full control of your entire Microsoft tenant. You can manage all services, users, and settings in Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365. This account lets you fix any issue or handle any emergency.

Giving this role to someone for good is very important. You should not set this role up only with Privileged Identity Management (PIM). The emergency account needs to have its permissions on all the time. PIM is good for normal high-level access, but sometimes PIM can stop working. If PIM is down, you do not want your emergency account to stop. This account should be able to work by itself if you face a problem, not because of PIM. Some of the most important permissions and roles for an emergency account are:

• Global Administrator: A person in this role can access all the main settings and features.
• Permanent Role Assignment: If you have this role, your rights stay on all the time. You do not need to turn them on again.

When you make an account, you do the role set up in the Microsoft Entra admin center. You have to be careful. Give this kind of power only to the main emergency accounts. It is very important to keep the use of the account low. People should use it only in real break-glass times where there is no other way.

Determining the Right Number of Break Glass Accounts

Depending on just one emergency account can lead to problems. If you lose the credentials or forget them, you will not get back in. If someone steals your credentials, you also have no way to log in. That is why Microsoft and many others say to set up at least two break glass accounts. With more than one emergency account, you have a backup plan. This keeps your accounts safe if one of them does not work. Having several accounts like this can help you feel better about your security.

Having two accounts lets you keep your credentials in different places. This makes it harder for both accounts to be taken at once if something goes wrong. For example, you can keep one set of credentials in a safe in your main office. The other set can be in a safe at another spot.

The goal is to make your emergency access plan strong, so it is ready for anything. For most small and medium-sized businesses, it is good to have two accounts. Two should be the lowest number you use. A bigger or more tricky group might set up more. But for most, two works best. This way, you get the right balance of safety for your directory and a backup if something goes wrong. At the same time, it will not make your work harder than it has to be.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Break Glass Account

Now that you know why you need this, let’s look at how to set it up. First, to make an emergency account, start by creating a new user. After you do this, give the user the right permissions. Next, check your security policies. For this emergency account, leave out some settings from your usual rules. The steps are not hard, but you must be careful with each one. That way, your emergency account will work well when there is a problem.

This guide tells you how to set up a cloud-only user in the Microsoft Entra admin center. You will give this user the Global Administrator role. You should make sure this user is not included in any Conditional Access rules. If you follow all the steps, you will have a safe break glass account ready to use when you have an emergency.

Creating a Cloud-Only Global Administrator Account

The first thing you have to do is set up a new user account in Microsoft Entra ID. This is what people call a “cloud-only” account. It means the account is not from your own Active Directory on site. The main point is that this account is by itself. So, if you run into any trouble with your server, or if there is a problem with how users log in, this emergency account will still give you a way to get into your cloud stuff. You will not lose out just because something stopped working in Active Directory. Making this new user in Microsoft Entra ID gives your directory a safe move and it gives you a simple backup way for people to log in.

To set up an account, first go to the Microsoft Entra admin center. Click on “Users” on the left side. Then pick “New user.” Make sure you use a name for the account that shows it is for. A good name to go with is em************@********************ft.com. Use the .onmicrosoft.com domain rather than your own. This helps keep things safe and can stop problems when you or others try to log in to Microsoft Entra later. This is the best way to add a new user in Microsoft for an easy login.

After you make the new user, give it the Global Administrator role. This lets the account do everything needed for your tenant. Make a long and strong password for this new user. You will keep this password safe later. Doing this is the first step in your break glass plan.

Excluding Break Glass Accounts from Conditional Access Policies

One thing you need to do is keep your emergency access accounts out of all conditional access policies. These kinds of rules may ask for things like MFA, certain devices, or you being at some places. Your emergency account should not have to follow these steps. A problem with a policy or MFA might be the reason you have to use your emergency account in the first place.

In the Microsoft Entra admin center, you need to open each conditional access policy. When you are in the policy settings, find the “Users” or “Users and groups” area. There, you will see an “Exclude” tab. Make sure you add your break glass accounts to this exclusion list for every policy that has limits, especially the ones where Microsoft asks for MFA.

This helps keep your break glass accounts safe when you use conditional access in Microsoft Entra.

This helps to make sure your break glass accounts stay open and work. The same security tools you use will not block them. If you do not set this up, your break glass accounts may not work when you really need them. This can happen in an emergency.

Secure Handling of Emergency Access Account Credentials

An emergency access account must be kept safe at all times. You need to protect its credentials. This account gives the highest privilege to anyone who uses it. So, the password and any other authentication methods must be handled with care. If you do not store the password or authentication the right way, it can lead to a big security issue. Someone could get unauthorized access and take control of your tenant.

The goal is to keep the credentials safe from people who should not have them. Also, it is important to let the right people get them quickly in an emergency. To make this happen, use a strong password that does not expire. Put this password in a secure location. The sections below will show you ways to handle these sensitive credentials. These steps will help stop unauthorized access.

Setting a Strong, Non-Expiring Password

The password for your break glass account is the main way to keep it safe. It needs to be very strong and hard to guess. Microsoft says you should make a long password for this. A password manager can help you make a random one. Do not use simple words or things people might guess. The password should also never expire. Most user accounts have passwords that need to change after some time, but for an emergency account or break glass account, it is not a good idea. That account might not get used for a long time, so you want to make sure it works when you need it.

Along with having a strong password, use authentication methods that do not depend on other services. A security key like FIDO2 is a good pick. The security key makes your authentication strong. It helps you stay safe from phishing. You do not need a mobile network to use it. The best things you can do for your credentials are:

• Make a strong password. It has to be long. Use random letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Change the password settings. Set it to never end. Make sure you do not need to change it.
• Pick a physical security key (FIDO2) for sign-in. Do not use the app for MFA.

This way, your account can stay safe and it will be easy to get into for a long time. Make sure the authentication for this account is a separate process. It should not use the same systems as your other admin accounts.

Safe Storage and Restricted Access Strategies

After you get the credentials, make sure to put them in a secure location. One good way is to keep paper copies of these credentials in a fireproof safe. If you have more than one place for your group, keep the credentials for the two emergency accounts at different sites. This helps because you have more security with extra places. If something bad happens at one site, you can still get into your accounts from the other.

The secure location should be watched all the time. Only a few trusted people can get in. Every person who goes in should be written down. That record needs to be kept on file. Some groups use clear envelopes to hold the credentials. If someone tries to open these envelopes, you can tell right away. These envelopes help keep the credentials safe for the secure location. That way, you will know if somebody got in. You can also split the password into two parts. One person gets one part and someone else gets the other part. Both of them must be there at the same time to use the password and get the credentials or entry to the secure location.

Good documentation should be with the stored credentials. The documentation needs to show when you use the account and how you do it. This step helps people to do things right even in an emergency or when stress is high. When everyone has these facts, there is less chance of mistakes or unauthorized access.

Monitoring and Managing Emergency Access Account Usage

Making and keeping your emergency accounts safe is only one step you need to take. These accounts can have a lot of power. You have to always watch what happens with them. If someone signs in, it may be a real emergency, or it may be unauthorized access. A breach is possible too. It is smart to set up alerts that work by themselves. These alerts help you know right away if there are any unauthorized access attempts or a breach. Finding out the moment this happens helps keep your accounts safe.

Good monitoring means you should watch over sign-in logs and keep track of what is done by the account. By using tools like Azure Monitor, you can set up rules that will let the admins know through email or SMS each time someone uses a break glass account. These fast alerts help you see right away if a break glass account gets used. This lets you check if what is happening is okay, and you can act fast if it is not.

Setting Up Sign-In Logs, Alerts, and Regular Review Policies

To keep a close watch on your emergency access accounts, you should set up alerts. These alerts let you know every time someone signs in to one of these accounts. You can do this by using Azure Monitor with a query that checks the Microsoft Entra sign-in logs. Make a rule in Azure Monitor that looks for the Object IDs of your emergency access accounts. When this rule finds one, it will send a notification to your admin team right away. This way, you and your team can watch for any action on these emergency access accounts.

This setup helps your team know at once if anything happens. When the team gets an alert, they need to check if it comes from a planned drill or if it is a real emergency. If the use was not planned, your team has to treat it as a top security issue. The team should use these main monitoring steps:

• Configure Alerts: Set up Azure Monitor or Microsoft Sentinel to get alerts when someone signs in to emergency accounts.
• Monitor Audit Logs: Look at the audit logs. These logs show what people did after they signed in.
• Regular Reviews: Make a rule to check account access and what people do every few months. This helps you stay up to date.

These real-time alerts go along with regular reviews. They make sure the accounts are being used in the right way. You also get a clear record, which you can use if there is a check for rules or safety.

Security Best Practices for Break Glass Accounts

You need to follow security best practices every time you manage accounts that have high access. There is no other good way to keep things safe. These best practices help lower the risk and keep these accounts safe for you and your team. You should use these accounts only if there is a real emergency. Do not let your system need these accounts all the time or let them be a problem if something bad happens.

Think of break glass accounts as the last safety net you have. You should not use them for everyday work or normal tasks. The next parts will show some best practices. These will help you know what to call an emergency. They also help you make sure your break glass accounts do not share the same MFA as your other user accounts.

Limiting Account Use to True Emergencies

The main rule for a break glass account is to use it only in real emergencies. Do not use it for any usual admin work. That is not what it is meant for. Using it that way can make it easier for threats to get in. The group you are in should make sure they say what an emergency is. This helps you and everyone know what counts as one. It also stops people from using the break glass account in the wrong way.

A clear policy helps people know when they can use these accounts. You should use the accounts only in the ways the policy says. If someone uses them for something else, it is not safe. It should be seen as a security problem. Here are some right ways to use these accounts:

• Getting back into the system when the other administrators are locked out.
• Fixing a conditional access policy that is not set up the right way and is making many people lose access.
• Acting fast after a breach when other admin accounts are not safe.

It is important to always follow this rule. You need to keep checking on things all the time and use alerts. This way, you can find any unauthorized access fast. The first step is to have a clear policy and talk to your team about it. Good communication and strong rules help stop misuse before it starts. Monitoring and alerts will help your team stay safe.

Avoiding Dependency on MFA for Emergency Access Accounts

One big reason to have a break glass account is for times when your usual authentication methods stop working. This happens often with MFA. If your emergency account uses the same MFA that is now not working, you can’t use it either. So, you need to make sure your break glass account does not use the standard MFA.

This is why it is good to keep emergency accounts out of conditional access rules that need mfa. You do not need to use an app or sms to sign in here. You should think about other strong authentication methods. A physical FIDO2 security key works well for this use. The security key cannot be tricked by phishing. It does not need a mobile network or any outside service to work.

The goal is to set up a backup way to get in that does not depend on the systems that can break. Make sure your emergency accounts use their own strong authentication methods. This will give you a better plan to get back in if something goes wrong. These backup ways help keep all the accounts safe even when your main authentication does not work.

Troubleshooting Issues with Emergency Access Accounts

Even if you plan everything for your emergency account, some problems can show up. The account may be blocked by a rule that you did not know about. A bigger issue is losing the credentials for the account. It is just as important to get ready for these problems as it is to set up the emergency account in the first place.

If you know what to do when you get an “access denied” message or lose your credentials, you can save time in an emergency. The steps below give clear tips that help you solve common problems. If you feel stuck or are not sure what to do, reach out to IT support. They are there to help you.

Resolving Policy Blocks and Access Denied Errors

If you try to sign in using an emergency account and see an “access denied” error, it may be caused by a conditional access policy. You might feel sure that you left this emergency account out of these policies. But sometimes, there can be a new or changed conditional access policy. This new rule might not have the right exclusion for your emergency account. In a fast-moving IT setup, with changes to conditional access and emergency accounts, this can happen a lot.

If you want to fix this, you should check the Microsoft Entra sign-in logs when a sign-in does not work. The logs will show you which Conditional Access policy was used. They also tell you the reason the authentication did not work. With this information, you can know the exact policy that you need to change in Microsoft Entra for Conditional Access.

If you are locked out, you cannot open the logs to see what went wrong. This is why having an emergency account for backup is very important. The emergency account should have different set of exclusions. You also need to check your policy exclusions often to stop this from happening.

Actions to Take If Credentials Are Lost or Forgotten

Losing the credentials for an emergency account can feel like a big problem. But if you have a recovery plan, you can handle it. This is why it is good to have at least two break glass accounts. If you lose the password for one, you can use the second emergency account to get in. Then you can reset the password for the first account.

If you lose the credentials for every emergency account, it gets a lot harder to get back into your Microsoft tenant. You will likely need to contact Microsoft Support for help. They will want you to show that the tenant is really yours. Then, they will help you get back into the account. This can take a lot of time. That is why it is important to stop this before it happens. Here are the main things you should do:

• You can use the second emergency account to reset the password for the first one.
• If you do not get into both accounts, you will need to call Microsoft Support. Make sure you have proof that you own the tenant.
• After you get access back, make new credentials right away. Store them in a safe place. Follow your policy at this time.

If you check how you keep your credentials and see who can get them from time to time, you can stop them from being lost. This will help you keep all the credentials safe.

Keeping Your Emergency Access Accounts Up to Date

Setting up your emergency or break glass accounts is not something you just do one time and forget. You have to check these accounts often to make sure they are still safe and work as you want. Things change in the company. There can be new security rules or some people might leave. If you do not check your break glass steps from time to time, they may not work the way you want.

It is good to stay ahead when you think about maintenance. One easy way is to practice drills again and again. When you practice, you get to test the accounts. This lets you see if your process is doing what you want or not. The next parts will show you the steps that you need. These steps will help make sure your emergency accounts are ready to use when you need them. They also make sure these accounts fit what your group needs at this time.

Regular Testing and Auditing Procedures

You should not wait for an emergency to see if your break glass account works. It is a good idea to check this often, about every three months. Testing helps you know if break glass accounts can sign in and handle admin work as needed. This will also show you if your monitoring and alerts are doing what they need to do.

When you run a test, write down each step while you do it. This helps you and your team have a clear record. It also shows your team what they need to do if there is an emergency. Tell your security team ahead of time if you plan to do a practice test. This way, you can stop a false alarm. Your checklist for testing and checking should include:

• Validate Sign-In: Make sure the account can sign in the right way.
• Test Permissions: Check that the account has all the admin rights it needs.
• Check Alerts: See if the sign-in sets off the monitoring alerts you expect to get.
• Review Documentation: Go over your emergency access documentation. Update anything old or wrong.

After you finish each test, be sure to check the results. Do the cleanup you need. This could mean changing passwords if that is part of your rule.

Adjusting Accounts When Organizational Needs Change

Your business is always changing, so your emergency access plan has to change with it. If you hire new IT staff, update your Microsoft 365 licensing, or change how you handle security, you should look at your break glass accounts. For example, when someone with access to your credentials leaves, you need to change the passwords. You also have to update where you keep them safe as soon as you can.

If you put new security tools or rules in your group, you also have to look at and update the exclusions for your emergency accounts. If you do not take this step, your accounts might get blocked by mistake. This can happen right when you need them the most.

Keep asking yourself if your emergency access plan does what you need now. When you add new user accounts to your directory or your use of the cloud gets bigger, you might need to change how you do things. If you stay ready and check your plan often, your system stays safe and works when you need it. For extra help with this, you can work with a small business technology solutions provider.

Checklist for Managing Microsoft 365 Emergency Access Accounts

Here is a checklist that puts together all you need for setting up and taking care of your emergency access accounts. This list shows the main steps so your emergency access accounts will be safe, set up the right way, and ready if there is an emergency. You can keep this close when you start or when you want to check things later to make sure all is working well.

When you follow a simple checklist, you make less mistakes. The checklist can help you go over all the main steps you need. In the next part, you will see an easy list. This list has setup, how to take care of things, and how to keep them safe.

Essential Steps for Setup, Maintenance, and Security

A good emergency access plan needs you to follow some main steps. You have to be careful from the start and also while you take care of it over time. Each part is important. You can use this checklist to help you not miss any step.

Start with the basic setup first. You need to make the accounts using the right settings. Be sure to give the correct permissions to each one. After that, keep an eye on them often and run tests to make sure they work well. Always use good steps for security to stop people from using them in the wrong way.

Here are the essential steps to follow:

• Setup: You need to make at least two emergency accounts in the cloud. Give these the Global Administrator role. Set a password for both that does not expire. Always use the .onmicrosoft.com domain with these accounts.
• Exclusions: Make sure these accounts are not a part of any Conditional Access policy. This is more important for policies that need MFA.
• Security: Always keep the credentials safe, like in a fireproof locked box. Only a few people should be able to open it. Use FIDO2 keys for better authentication.
• Monitoring: Set up alerts with Azure Monitor. This way, admins will know right away if someone tries to sign in.
• Maintenance: Check your accounts every three months. Test if you can get in and see if you need to change your steps. Always read and update your documentation.

Conclusion

To sum up, making a Microsoft 365 Emergency Access Account is a good move. This account helps your company continue to work if you have problems getting into accounts. When you follow the steps the right way and take care of these emergency access accounts, you make sure you have a backup you can trust. This is very important during an emergency, like when an admin gets locked out or if multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not working.

Remember, you should use emergency access accounts, also known as break glass accounts, only in a real emergency. You need to check and review these accounts often to stay safe. With the right care, these emergency access accounts give your business a good and safe choice. They can keep your company strong even during a problem. If you want to know more about emergency access, break glass, Microsoft, or anything about authentication and MFA, feel free to ask at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to have a global admin as the emergency access account in Microsoft 365?

Yes, it is a good plan to give the Global Administrator account role to your emergency account. This role gives the most administrative access in your Microsoft 365 tenant. It makes sure the emergency account can fix any problem. Even if you use privileged identity management, or other administrator accounts are locked out, your emergency account can help. This way, you can solve problems in your Microsoft tenant faster and keep your system safe.

How often should an emergency access account be reviewed or tested?

You need to check and review your emergency accounts at least once every 90 days. If you change your IT staff, or if you update your security policies, it’s good to review these accounts even more. Doing monitoring and testing often helps you make sure these accounts work and stay safe when you need them most.

What risks do organizations face without an emergency access account in Azure or Microsoft 365?

Without an emergency account, your group can get locked out of its tenant. This might happen because of an outage, a setup mistake, or a cyberattack. If you get locked out, you will face downtime. You also would not be able to act fast during a breach. Downtime can take money from you and change how people feel about your group. Without an emergency account, you also lose the last chance to stop big problems in a crisis.