Executive Summary
Microsoft has escalated its testing of the Windows 11 administrator protection feature, which is now accessible to Insiders through the Windows Security settings. This feature employs a just-in-time elevation mechanism, coupled with Windows Hello authentication prompts, to secure access to critical system resources by ensuring admin rights are unlocked only when necessary.
The new feature enhances security by requiring Windows Hello authentication when installing apps or changing the registry. However, it remains turned off by default
Whom it may concern
- IT Administrators
- Windows Users (Home and Enterprise)
- Cybersecurity Teams
Key Findings
- Enhanced Security Controls: The added authentication layers significantly complicate unauthorized usage.
- User Empowerment: Allows home users to activate the feature independently without IT assistance.
- Integration with Windows Ecosystem: Works synergistically with existing security measures like UAC, improving the overall security profile.
Risk Analysis
- Probability of exploiting admin vulnerabilities is high due to existing malware strategies.
- Impact of a breach could include unauthorized access to critical resources, compromising system integrity.
- The deployment of admin protection can reduce both probability and impact, repositioning user risk profiles positively.
Action Items
- Prioritize enabling admin protection across all organizational devices.
- Timeline: Implementation should start within 1-2 months, pending user readiness evaluations.
- Resources: IT teams should prepare to educate users on utilizing the Windows Security settings for enabling this feature.
Sources
- [Bleeping Computer](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-expands-testing-of-windows-11-admin-protection-feature/)
- [Microsoft Windows Insider Blog](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsinsider/)
