In the context of the Azure Administrator Associate certification and identity governance, configuring Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is a critical task that reduces IT support costs by allowing users to reset their passwords without administrator inter…In the context of the Azure Administrator Associate certification and identity governance, configuring Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is a critical task that reduces IT support costs by allowing users to reset their passwords without administrator intervention.
To configure SSPR, an administrator navigates to the 'Password reset' blade in the Azure portal. The configuration involves several key pillars:
1. **Properties:** This determines who can use SSPR. You can enable it for 'None', 'Selected' (specific security groups), or 'All' users. Best practice for governance suggests piloting with a 'Selected' group before a full rollout. Note that premium features, like on-premises writeback, require Entra ID P1 or P2 licenses.
2. **Authentication Methods:** You must decide which methods are permitted for identity verification (e.g., mobile app notification, SMS, email, or security questions) and how many methods are required (one or two) to perform a reset.
3. **Registration:** Administrators can require users to register their authentication information upon their next sign-in to ensure compliance.
4. **Notifications and Customization:** You can configure the system to notify users and admins of resets and provide a link to the helpdesk for support.
5. **On-premises integration:** For hybrid environments, enabling 'Password Writeback' via Microsoft Entra Connect is essential. This ensures that when a password is changed in the cloud, it is synchronized back to the local Active Directory in real-time.
Effective SSPR governance also involves monitoring 'Audit Logs' and 'Usage & Insights' to track registration rates and reset activity, ensuring the organization maintains a secure and efficient identity posture.
Study Guide: Configure Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR)
What is Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR)? SSPR is a feature within Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) that allows users to change or reset their password, or unlock their account, without administrator or help desk intervention. This capability targets the reduction of help desk calls and loss of productivity due to forgotten credentials.
Why is it Important? For the AZ-104 exam and real-world administration, SSPR is critical because: 1. Cost Reduction: Password resets are historically the number one reason for help desk tickets; automating this saves substantial IT support costs. 2. User Experience: Users can regain access to their accounts immediately, 24/7, without waiting for support. 3. Security: It enforces strong authentication policies (MFA) before allowing a password change.
How it Works: Configuration Steps To configure SSPR, you navigate to the Password Reset blade in the Microsoft Entra admin center. The configuration is divided into several key areas:
1. Properties (Who matches the policy?) You must decide which users can use SSPR. The options are: - None: Feature is disabled. - Selected: You choose a specific security group. (Note: You can only select one group directly in the UI, but that group can contain other nested groups). - All: Enabled for all users in the tenant.
2. Authentication Methods You must define how many methods are required to reset a password (usually 1 or 2) and which methods are available. Options include: - Mobile app notification - Mobile app code - Email - Mobile phone (SMS/Call) - Office phone - Security questions
3. Registration You configure whether users are required to register for SSPR when they sign in. It is best practice to set 'Require users to register when signing in' to Yes.
4. Notifications You can choose to notify users when their password is reset (security awareness) and notify all admins when other admins reset their passwords.
5. On-Premise Integration (Password Writeback) For hybrid environments using Microsoft Entra Connect (Azure AD Connect), enabling SSPR in the cloud is not enough. You must enable Password Writeback. This synchronizes the password change from the cloud back to the on-premises Active Directory.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on SSPR When facing SSPR questions on the AZ-104 exam, look for these specific keywords and scenarios:
• The 'Selected' Group Limitation: If a question asks how to enable SSPR for a pilot group of users, remember that in the Properties tab, you can only select one specific group. If you need to include multiple distinct departments, you must add them to a single 'SSPR-Users' group or nest them.
• Licensing Requirements: Basic SSPR (cloud-only) is available on free tiers, but Password Writeback (syncing changes to on-premise AD) requires a Microsoft Entra ID P1 or P2 license. If a scenario involves on-prem AD, look for the Premium license requirement.
• Registration Status: If a user complains they cannot reset their password, the most common exam answer is that the user has not registered their authentication methods yet (or the administrator has not enforced registration).
• Number of Methods: Pay attention to the policy setting for 'Number of methods required to reset'. If the policy requires 2 methods, but the user has only registered a mobile phone, they will fail the reset process. They typically need to register a second method (like email or security questions).
• Unlock vs. Reset: Understand the difference. Reset changes the password. Unlock allows a user to unlock their account (after too many failed attempts) without changing the password. Both can be managed via SSPR settings.