Compliance & Conditional AccessAdvanced Compliance Policies

Advanced Compliance Policies

25 mins

Understanding the Concept

Advanced compliance policies go beyond basic device health checks. Custom compliance policies use PowerShell scripts and JSON schemas to evaluate custom conditions. This allows checking for settings not covered by built-in compliance: specific registry values, installed applications, running services, or file system conditions.

Compliance policy settings for Windows include: BitLocker encryption, Secure Boot, Code Integrity, firewall, antivirus, antispyware, Defender real-time protection, Defender version, and password requirements. Platform-specific settings ensure appropriate security for each OS.

Location-based compliance uses named locations in Azure AD to enforce geography-based access. Devices can be marked non-compliant when outside approved locations, adding a location-based layer to Zero Trust security.

Key Points

  • Custom compliance: PowerShell detection + JSON compliance rules
  • Evaluate conditions not covered by built-in compliance settings
  • Windows: BitLocker, Secure Boot, Code Integrity, Defender settings
  • Location-based compliance using Azure AD named locations
  • Compliance scripts enable organiztion-specific requirements
  • Custom compliance works alongside built-in compliance policies

Why This Matters in Real Organizations

Standard compliance policies don't cover every organizational requirement. Custom compliance policies enable organizations to enforce specific security requirements unique to their industry regulations or internal security policies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Creating custom compliance for settings that built-in policies already cover
Not testing compliance scripts thoroughly before deployment
Overly complex compliance requirements that cause widespread non-compliance
Not communicating compliance requirements to users before enforcement

Interview Tips

  • Explain custom compliance policy capabilities
  • Discuss industry-specific compliance requirements you've implemented
  • Describe your compliance rollout strategy

Exam Tips (MD-102)

  • Know custom compliance policy components (script + JSON)
  • Understand built-in compliance settings per platform
  • Know location-based compliance configuration

Course Complete!

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