# (L1) Ensure Sign-in frequency is enabled and browser sessions are not persistent for Administrative users

An enabled Conditional Access policy sets a short sign-in frequency and turns off persistent browser sessions for the administrative roles.

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/CIS.M365.5.2.2.4

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<div class="test-byline"><div class="test-byline-avatars"><a class="test-byline-avatar test-byline-avatar--author" href="/contributors/jeremyfinney-lgtm" title="jeremy finney · Original author"><img src="https://github.com/JeremyFinney-lgtm.png" alt="jeremy finney" width="28" height="28" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /></a></div><div class="test-byline-meta"><span class="test-byline-text">Contributed by <a href="/contributors/jeremyfinney-lgtm">jeremy finney</a></span><a class="test-byline-link" href="/contributors">All contributors →</a></div></div>

<p class="test-part">Part of <a href="/docs/tests/cis">CIS</a> · Entra ID · Conditional Access · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId CIS.M365.5.2.2.4
```

## Overview

An enabled Conditional Access policy sets a short sign-in frequency and turns off persistent browser sessions for the administrative roles.

A session token that stays valid for days or survives a browser restart can be stolen and replayed on another machine. Administrators hold the most valuable sessions, so shortening how long a session lasts, and not keeping it after the browser closes, limits how long a stolen token is useful.

The policy must apply to the same set of administrative roles as the MFA test, cover all cloud apps, set a sign-in frequency of 4 hours or less (or every time), set persistent browser session to **Never persistent** and be enabled.

User and group exclusions are not evaluated by this test. Application exclusions are also not evaluated when the policy targets all apps; verify exclusions are documented and reviewed annually. A condition that narrows the policy is reported unless the check is about that condition.

#### Remediation action

1. Sign in to the [Microsoft Entra admin center](https://entra.microsoft.com).
2. Go to **Entra ID** > **Conditional Access** > [**Policies**](https://entra.microsoft.com/#view/Microsoft_AAD_ConditionalAccess/ConditionalAccessBlade/~/Policies) and select **New policy**.
3. Under **Users**, select **Directory roles** and add the administrative roles. Exclude your emergency access accounts.
4. Under **Target resources**, select **All resources (formerly All cloud apps)**.
5. Under **Session**, select **Sign-in frequency** and set it to **Periodic reauthentication** of 4 hours or less, or **Every time**.
6. Under **Session**, select **Persistent browser session** and choose **Never persistent**.
7. Set **Enable policy** to **On** (use **Report-only** first to measure the impact) and select **Create**.

#### Related links

* [Microsoft Entra admin center - Conditional Access policies](https://entra.microsoft.com/#view/Microsoft_AAD_ConditionalAccess/ConditionalAccessBlade/~/Policies)
* [Configure adaptive session lifetime policies](https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/conditional-access/howto-conditional-access-session-lifetime)
* [Conditional Access: Session controls](https://learn.microsoft.com/entra/identity/conditional-access/concept-conditional-access-session)
* [CIS Microsoft 365 Foundations Benchmark v7.0.0 - 5.2.2.4](https://www.cisecurity.org/benchmark/microsoft_365)

## Details

<details>
<summary>Every attribute of this check</summary>

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | CIS.M365.5.2.2.4 |
| Severity | Medium |
| Suite | CIS |
| Product | Entra ID |
| Feature | Conditional Access |
| Area | Privileged access |
| Resource type | Tenant |
| User impact | Low |
| Implementation cost | Medium |
| MITRE ATT&CK | T1550.004 Web Session Cookie |
| Supports benchmark | CIS Microsoft 365 Foundations Benchmark (version 7.0.0), requirement 5.2.2.4 |
| Benchmark level | L1 |
| Benchmark profiles | E3 Level 1 |
| Supports controls | cis-m365:5.2.2.4, nist-800-53-r5:AC-12 |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtCisAdminSignInFrequency](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/cis/Test.CIS.M365.5.2.2.4.ps1) |
| Services | Graph |
| Compatible licenses | AAD_PREMIUM |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/cis/Test.CIS.M365.5.2.2.4.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/cis/Test.CIS.M365.5.2.2.4.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/cis/Test.CIS.M365.5.2.2.4.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/cis/Test.CIS.M365.5.2.2.4.md)