Global Admin Access in Microsoft 365: Should You Have It & How to Secure It?

Understanding Global Admin Access

When managing a Microsoft 365 tenant, one of the most important decisions is who should have Global Admin access and how to ensure that access is secure. As the top administrative role in a Microsoft 365 environment, Global Admin has unrestricted access to all settings, user accounts, and security configurations.

While some Managed Service Providers (MSPs) restrict this access to IT professionals only, it’s important to understand that clients should have the option to access their own Global Admin role—provided they do so securely.

This guide will cover best practices for handling Global Admin access, including using phish-resistant MFA, setting up Conditional Access policies, and maintaining a Break Glass account for emergencies.

Should Clients Have Global Admin Access?

Yes, but only if handled correctly.

Clients should be able to access their Global Admin role if they choose to, but with proper security measures in place. This ensures they maintain control over their own environment while reducing the risk of security breaches.

Risks of Global Admin Access Without Proper Security:

• Increased attack surface – If compromised, a Global Admin account gives hackers full control over your Microsoft 365 environment.
• Phishing and credential theft – Cybercriminals specifically target Global Admins with phishing attacks.
• Misconfigurations and accidental changes – Admin errors can lead to security gaps, data loss, or compliance issues.

Read More: Top SMB Cybersecurity Risks & How to Protect Your Business

How to Securely Manage Global Admin Access

To mitigate the risks, follow these best practices.

Use a Separate Global Admin Account

Instead of granting Global Admin rights to a standard user account, clients should create a separate Global Admin account that is only used when necessary. This minimizes the exposure of highly privileged credentials in day-to-day operations.

Enable Phish-Resistant MFA

Not all Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods offer the same level of protection. Phish-resistant MFA methods, such as FIDO2 security keys (like YubiKey) or certificate-based authentication, provide stronger defense against phishing attacks.

For a detailed guide on phish-resistant MFA and why it's essential for SMBs, refer to What is Phishing-Resistant MFA? A Must-Know Guide for SMBs.

Apply Conditional Access Policies

Conditional Access policies help restrict when and where Global Admin accounts can be used. Clients should configure policies that:

• Require logins from compliant or trusted devices
• Block access from untrusted locations
• Enforce stricter authentication for high-risk logins

Microsoft provides extensive documentation on how to configure Conditional Access for administrative accounts.

Maintain a Break Glass Account

A Break Glass account is an emergency account with Global Admin privileges that is only used if all other admin accounts are locked out.

Key best practices for a Break Glass account:

• Use a strong, unique password stored securely in an offline location.
• Do not enable MFA on this account to prevent lockout scenarios.
• Monitor and log any usage of the account for security oversight.

For more details on why this is critical, see Microsoft 365 Break Glass Accounts.

Regularly Review Admin Access

Global Admin access should not be granted indefinitely. Businesses should:

• Regularly audit who has Global Admin privileges.
• Use Privileged Identity Management (PIM) in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) to grant temporary, just-in-time admin access.
• Remove unnecessary admin accounts to reduce security risks.

For broader security strategies, check out What Cybersecurity Best Practices Should Small Businesses Follow?

Giving Clients Global Admin Access—Without Compromising Security

Clients should have the ability to access their own Microsoft 365 Global Admin role, but only if strong security measures are in place. Using a separate Global Admin account, enforcing phish-resistant MFA, applying Conditional Access policies, and maintaining a Break Glass account are essential steps to securing admin privileges. Regular reviews of admin access will further reduce risks and protect business-critical systems.

For additional security insights and IT best practices, explore our Managed IT Services.

Managing Microsoft 365 security can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team at Always Beyond specializes in helping businesses implement best practices for admin access, cybersecurity, and IT management.

Contact us today to ensure your Microsoft 365 environment is protected.