Can conditional access policies enforce the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

The correct understanding is that conditional access policies can indeed enforce the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA). Conditional access is a powerful feature within Microsoft Azure Active Directory that allows organizations to enforce security policies based on specific conditions.

In this context, when an organization sets a conditional access policy, they can configure it to require MFA based on certain criteria, such as the user’s location, device state, or application being accessed. Therefore, this functionality is designed to enhance security by ensuring that users provide an additional form of verification when accessing sensitive resources.

The assertion that conditional access policies do not enforce MFA is not aligned with the fundamental capabilities of Azure AD's conditional access framework. Instead, conditional access allows for a more granular and context-aware approach to security by integrating MFA as a requirement in various situations.

In summary, the ability of conditional access policies to leverage MFA is a critical aspect for maintaining robust security posture, ensuring that even if the standard authentication measures are compromised, an additional barrier is presented to unauthorized access attempts.