Modern attackers target identity first. Passwords are unfortunately weak, recovery journeys are exploitable, and onboarding often forces teams to relax controls to get new starters into their environment and enable productivity quickly.
Temporary Access Pass (TAP) within Microsoft Entra ID is Microsoft’s answer: a short-lived, policy-controlled passcode that enables secure onboarding, recovery, and transition to passwordless authentication, without ever revealing or relying on a user’s password.
What is a Temporary Access Pass?
A Temporary Access Pass is a time-limited passcode issued to a user by an administrator. It can be single-use or multi-use for a defined window. Crucially, TAP is treated as a strong credential, allowing users to sign in and register phish-resistant methods such as Pass Keys (FIDO2), Windows Hello for Business, or Microsoft Authenticator, and to recover access when primary factors are lost. TAP can also be used for Windows Web sign-in during device setup, avoiding insecure workarounds.
Why Do Organisations Need TAP?
Accelerated Passwordless Strategy
TAP provides a safe “first login” so that new starters and device refreshes can register passkeys/Microsoft Authenticator immediately, with no temporary passwords over email, no desk-side resets, and no shared secrets. This aligns with Microsoft’s best practice guidance to move to phish-resistant, passwordless access as part of a larger Zero Trust strategy.
Reduced Strain on Helpdesks
Password resets and second-factor lockouts drive tickets and exceptions. TAP gives a controlled recovery path without re-enabling weaker factors like SMS. Combined with system-preferred MFA, users are nudged to the most secure factor they have.
Future-Proofed Policies
Microsoft is consolidating MFA/SSPR into the Authentication methods policy, TAP is a first-class method here, with centralised targeting and lifecycle controls.
How Do Temporary Access Passes Work?
Administrators enable TAP in the Authentication methods policy, target users and groups, and define parameters such as minimum/maximum lifetime, single versus multi-use, and length. For each user, a TAP can be created with a start time and expiry. The user signs in with the TAP, completes device registration or adds a strong method, and the TAP naturally expires, closing the window of elevated risk.
Key Features and Security Benefits of TAP
Time-Boxed Policy-Driven Access
Set short lifetimes (minutes to hours) and single-use where feasible; use multi-use sparingly for complex onboarding. These levers materially reduce exposure if a TAP is mishandled.
Strong Credential Classification
TAP counts as a strong sign-in, enabling registration of phish-resistant methods, satisfying policy paths that require story auth during setup.
Seamless Windows Onboarding
With web sign-in for Windows, a user can authenticate using a TAP and then enrol Windows Hello for Business or a FIDO2 key, ideal for remote and just-in-time provisioning scenarios.
Governance and Automation Via Microsoft Graph
TAP settings and issuance are exposed in Microsoft Graph, enabling workflow integration.
A Pragmatic Temporary Access Pass Rollout Plan for Implementation
1: Prepare Your Authentication Strategy
Confirm your north star: phish resistant passwordless access as default. Map user cohorts and devices (corporate Windows, macOC/iOS/Android/BYOD) and decide your registration journey. Microsoft’s planning guidelines provide a solid blueprint.
2: Enable TAP in the Authentication Methods Policy
Within the Entra admin centre, navigate to Protection > Authentication Methods > Policies > Temporary Access Pass. Enable the method, target pilot groups, and set conservative defaults (short lifetimes, single-use, appropriate length/usance rules).
3: Configure Registration Experiences
For Windows, enable Web sign-in for scenarios where users will authenticate with TAP before provisioning Windows Hello/FIDO2 access.
For mobile and desktop passkeys in Authenticator, ensure policies allow registration only from managed platforms and consider different authentication strengths per OS police. TAP can be your controlled bootstrap.
4: Harden Prompts with Conditional Access
Adopt system-preferred MFA so that, outside of TAP sessions, users are guided to stronger factors by default. Pair with authentication strengths and Conditional Access templates that require strong MFA for sensitive resources.
5: Automate Issuance and Revocation
Use Microsoft Graph to issue TAPs as part of your joiner/mover processes and to revoke on demand. Log and monitor TAP usage as a privileged activity.
TAP is a deceptively simple control that closes a persistent gap: the insecure “first sign-in” and the risky “I’m locked out” moments. By standardising on TAP-based onboarding and recovery, and by steering users to adopt phish-resistant passwordless methods of access, you strengthen Microsoft 365 security while reducing operational drag. If your organisation is moving to passwordless access at scale, consider making TAP the only sanctioned bootstrap and wire it into your joiner workflows.
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