Blog

Windows LAPS: Rethinking Local Administrator Management · Part 3

6 Oct 2026 14 min read

Windows LAPS on Windows Server: Same Technology, Different Design

Windows LAPS works across Windows clients and servers, but the architecture shouldn't simply be copied from Windows 11. A practical look at member servers, Active Directory, pas...

Community #Community #Inclusion

5 Oct 2026 7 min read

Finding My Place: Reflections After Scottish Summit

An honest reflection on Scottish Summit: the joy of speaking, the discomfort of feeling on the outside, and how small gestures can help people feel welcome.

4 Oct 2026 7 min read

I’m a Microsoft MVP. That Still Feels Strange to Say

On 1 October 2026, I found out I’d been awarded Microsoft MVP. The timing was special, but it also made me reflect on community, sharing what I know and what the award actually...

Community #Community #Microsoft

4 Oct 2026 12 min read

Windows LAPS: Intune or Group Policy for Windows 11?

Windows LAPS can be configured through Intune or Group Policy, but what happens when both are present? A practical look at policy precedence, hybrid environments and choosing a...

Windows LAPS: Rethinking Local Administrator Management · Part 2

Windows LAPS: Rethinking Local Administrator Management · Part 1

30 Sept 2026 12 min read

Windows LAPS on Windows 11: Designing Local Admin Properly

Windows LAPS can now create and manage its own local administrator account on Windows 11. But which account should you manage, and what about every other local admin?

Cyber Security #Conditional Access #Cyber Security

28 Sept 2026 13 min read

Your Conditional Access Policy Says Require MFA. What Does That Actually Mean?

What does “Require MFA” in Conditional Access actually guarantee? A practical look at MFA, Authentication Strength, phishing-resistant authentication, passkeys, synced passkeys...

24 Sept 2026 10 min read Updated 28 Sept 2026

Windows LAPS: More Than Password Rotation

Windows LAPS is about more than rotating a local administrator password. In this introduction, I look at how Windows LAPS has evolved, the difference between the account, manage...

Windows LAPS: Rethinking Local Administrator Management

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 10

22 Sept 2026 17 min read

What I Learned Deploying Global Secure Access for Real

After ten posts exploring Microsoft Global Secure Access, it is time to step back from the configuration guides and architecture diagrams. These are the lessons I learned from d...

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 9

22 Sept 2026 19 min read

Global Secure Access and Privileged Access: An Architecture I Want to Test

What could Microsoft Global Secure Access add to a privileged-access architecture? This article explores a conceptual design combining Entra Private Access, application segmenta...

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 8

21 Sept 2026 17 min read

Designing Entra Private Access Properly: Don't Rebuild Your VPN in the Cloud

Microsoft Entra Private Access can replace traditional VPN access, but simply publishing broad private networks through Quick Access risks recreating the same access model in a...

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 7

16 Sept 2026 14 min read

Global Secure Access Alongside Your Existing Security Stack

Where Global Secure Access fits alongside Intune, Defender, Conditional Access and network controls, and how to separate useful overlap from policy duplication.

Microsoft #Intune #Modern Work

11 Sept 2026 14 min read

Mac or Windows? I Use Both — And That's Kind of the Point

Mac or Windows? I use both. From Surface Laptop 7 and MacBook Pro performance to battery life, Intune, passkeys and WebAuthn, here's where each works best.

Intune #Intune #Mac OS

9 Sept 2026 16 min read

Windows 365 Link Revisited: I Gave It Another Chance

Four months after audio redirection made me put the Windows 365 Link aside, I tested it again. YouTube, Spotify and Windows notifications now work.

4 Sept 2026 11 min read

What If Other People Could Use It?

Adding Clerk made sign-in easy. The real challenge was authorisation, tenant boundaries and keeping every SaaS customer's data securely separated.

Building Again: My Journey into Vibe Coding · Part 3

AI #Personal Development #Blogging

31 Aug 2026 23 min read

Migrating from a Traditional Secure Web Gateway to Global Secure Access

Migrating from a traditional Secure Web Gateway to Microsoft Global Secure Access is more than replacing one endpoint client with another. This article explores policy rationali...

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 6

Entra #Cyber Security #GSA

31 Aug 2026 15 min read

EWS Retirement: The Exchange Deadline You Cannot Keep Ignoring

EWS retirement is about far more than rewriting an application. The 1 October 2026 Exchange Online disablement phase is almost here, and April 2027 will arrive quickly. Have you...

EWS #EWS #Exchange

26 Aug 2026 15 min read

Entra Internet Access: Moving Web Security to the Identity Layer

Explore how Microsoft Entra Internet Access moves traditional Secure Web Gateway controls towards an identity-aware security model, combining web filtering, user and group polic...

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 5

Azure Virtual Desktop #FIDO2 #Mac OS

26 Aug 2026 10 min read

WebAuthn Redirection Comes to the Windows App on macOS

Microsoft has introduced in-session WebAuthn redirection in preview for the Windows App on macOS, addressing a major passkey and FIDO2 limitation for Windows 365 and Azure Virtu...

25 Aug 2026 12 min read

Global Secure Access on Mobile Devices

Explore how Microsoft Global Secure Access extends identity-aware access to managed iOS, iPadOS and Android devices using Entra Internet Access and Entra Private Access.

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 4

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 3

24 Aug 2026 26 min read

Microsoft Global Secure Access on macOS: Extending Identity-Driven Access Beyond Windows

Explore how Microsoft Global Secure Access brings identity-driven Private Access, Internet Access and Microsoft traffic controls to managed macOS devices.

Building Again: My Journey into Vibe Coding · Part 2

21 Aug 2026 7 min read

I Just Need the App to Send an Email

What happens when “I just need the app to send an email” turns into a conversation about API keys, credentials, secrets and security? Part 2 of Building Again explores how a sim...

AI #Personal Development #Blogging

20 Aug 2026 7 min read

From Kempsoft to Vibe Coding

Nearly 30 years after creating Kempsoft, AI has brought me back to building software. This is how vibe coding became my new development companion.

Building Again: My Journey into Vibe Coding · Part 1

AI #Personal Development #Blogging

19 Aug 2026 26 min read

Replacing Traditional VPN Access with Microsoft Entra Private Access

Learn how Microsoft Entra Private Access replaces broad VPN connectivity with identity-driven, application-aware access to private resources.

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 2

Authentication Assurance · Part 9

18 Aug 2026 16 min read

Bringing Authentication Assurance Together

Bring Authentication Assurance together into a complete architecture, connecting Trust Levels, passkeys, FIDO2, Authentication Strengths, Conditional Access, TAP, privileged acc...

Authentication Assurance · Part 8

17 Aug 2026 13 min read

Building High-Assurance Administrative Accounts

Learn how to build high-assurance administrative identities by combining dedicated accounts, FIDO2 security keys, Authentication Strengths, Conditional Access, PAWs, PIM and sec...

13 Aug 2026 15 min read Updated 14 Aug 2026

Giving SaaS Applications a Fixed Egress IP with Microsoft Entra Private Access"

Use Microsoft Entra Private Access source IP anchoring to give IP-restricted SaaS applications a controlled and predictable public egress address.

Microsoft Global Secure Access · Part 1

Compliance & Governance #Cloud Security Strategy #Conditional Access

13 Aug 2026 21 min read

Temporary Access Pass and Secure Onboarding

Explore how Temporary Access Pass can securely bootstrap and recover passwordless authentication, and why single-use, multi-use, duration and identity verification all matter wh...

Authentication Assurance · Part 7

Authentication Assurance · Part 6

13 Aug 2026 11 min read

Authentication Strengths in Microsoft Entra

Learn how Microsoft Entra Authentication Strengths and Conditional Access can turn Authentication Assurance from an architectural principle into an enforceable security control.

Authentication Assurance · Part 5

13 Aug 2026 11 min read

Choosing the Right Authentication for Each Trust Level

Learn how to align authentication methods with identity Trust Levels, from dedicated FIDO2 security keys for critical administrators to device-bound and synced passkeys where ap...

Authentication Assurance · Part 4

11 Aug 2026 6 min read

Not All Passkeys Provide the Same Level of Assurance

Discover why phishing-resistant authentication doesn't automatically provide the same level of operational assurance, and how different passkey implementations influence privile...

Authentication Assurance · Part 3

11 Aug 2026 4 min read

Understanding Modern Passkeys

Learn what passkeys are, how they work and the differences between platform, roaming, synced and device-bound passkeys in modern authentication.

Authentication Assurance · Part 2

11 Aug 2026 4 min read

The Evolution of Authentication

Discover how authentication has evolved from passwords to phishing-resistant passkeys, and why understanding that journey is key to designing modern identity security.

Authentication Assurance · Part 1

11 Aug 2026 4 min read

Why Authentication Assurance Matters

Why modern identity security is about more than enabling MFA. Learn why authentication assurance should increase alongside the value and impact of the identities you're protecting.

Cyber Security #Continuous Improvement #Entra ID

8 Aug 2026 3 min read

Authentication Assurance – Introduction

An introduction to Authentication Assurance and why modern identity security is about more than simply enabling MFA or going passwordless.

Authentication Assurance

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 8

Building a Modern Privileged Access Strategy

Learn how to build a modern privileged access strategy by combining Trust Levels, Privileged Access Workstations, phishing-resistant authentication, Conditional Access, PIM and...

Cyber Security #Cloud Security Strategy #Cyber Security

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 7

Operating and Maintaining a Privileged Access Workstation

Learn how to operate and maintain a Privileged Access Workstation by managing configuration drift, patching, compliance, monitoring and governance to preserve administrative ass...

Cyber Security #Cloud Security Strategy #Continuous Improvement

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 6

Hardening a Modern Privileged Access Workstation

Learn how to harden a modern Privileged Access Workstation using Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender, Conditional Access, PIM and Windows security features to build a trusted a...

Cyber Security #Cyber Security #Endpoint Security

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 5

Choosing the Right Administrative Environment

Learn how to choose the right administrative environment by balancing risk, operational requirements and assurance when deploying Privileged Access Workstations.

Cyber Security #Cloud Security Strategy #Cyber Security

6 Aug 2026 6 min read

Virtual Privileged Access Workstations

Explore how Virtual Privileged Access Workstations (vPAWs) provide a secure and practical alternative to physical PAWs by balancing administrative assurance with operational fle...

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 4

Cyber Security #Cloud Security Strategy #Cyber Security

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 3

Physical Privileged Access Workstations

Discover why dedicated physical Privileged Access Workstations remain the highest assurance option for protecting privileged identities and securing administrative environments.

Cyber Security #Cyber Security #Entra ID

5 Aug 2026 5 min read

When Do You Need a Privileged Access Workstation?

Discover when a Privileged Access Workstation is justified, how to assess administrative risk, and why workstation assurance should reflect the level of trust placed in an ident...

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 2

Cyber Security #Cyber Security #Endpoint Security

4 Aug 2026 7 min read

What is a Privileged Access Workstation

Discover what a Privileged Access Workstation (PAW) is, why it matters, and how it strengthens privileged identity security by protecting the administrative trust boundary.

Privileged Access Workstations · Part 1

Cyber Security #PAW #Privileged Access

4 Aug 2026 4 min read

Privileged Access Workstations: Introduction

An introduction to Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs), why they matter, and how they fit into a modern privileged identity strategy using Microsoft Entra.

Privileged Access Workstations

Cyber Security #Continuous Improvement #Cyber Security

4 Aug 2026 5 min read

Why Stepping Away From Your Desk Might Be the Most Productive Thing You Do

In a world of constant notifications, AI-assisted development and back-to-back meetings, sometimes the best thing you can do is close the laptop and step away.

Personal Development #Personal Development #Wellbing

29 Jul 2026 5 min read

From Tier 0 to Trust Levels: Rethinking Privileged Access for the Cloud Era

Traditional administrative tiering was built for an infrastructure-centric world. As organisations move to cloud-native identities, Zero Trust and passwordless authentication, t...

Cyber Security #Cyber Security #Enterprise IT

28 Jul 2026 7 min read

From a Blog Series to a Book – The Unexpected Journey of The Privileged Path

What started as a handful of blog posts became one of the biggest professional challenges I've ever undertaken. This is the story behind The Privileged Path—why I wrote it, what...

Privileged Identity #Identity #Identity and Access Management

28 Jul 2026 10 min read

Passkeys: The Hardest Part Nobody Talks About

Passkeys are transforming authentication, but the technology is not the hardest part. Learn why onboarding, bootstrapping, Temporary Access Passes (TAPs), Conditional Access and...

Entra #Authentication Strategy #Conditional Access

20 Jul 2026 6 min read

Behind the Build: The Story Behind My New Website

Discover the architecture behind my new website, from Cloudflare Pages and GitHub to a custom Markdown CMS, a refreshed brand, and the story of Atlas.

Web Development

20 Jul 2026 5 min read Updated 14 Aug 2026

Microsoft Global Secure Access: More Than Just a VPN Replacement?

Learn what Microsoft Global Secure Access is, how Private Access and Internet Access work, licensing requirements, and where GSA fits within a Zero Trust architecture

Microsoft Global Secure Access

Cyber Security #Cyber Security #Microsoft 365

1 Jun 2026 7 min read

Windows Hello for Business Is More Than a Login Method

Explore Windows Hello for Business as a phishing-resistant authenticator, and why onboarding, recovery and lifecycle management matter as much as passkeys.

Consulting #Authentication Strategy #Entra ID

13 May 2026 21 min read

Windows 365 for Secure Work: The Device Experience Nobody Talks About

Introduction Windows 365 promises a simple idea: a consistent, secure Windows experience delivered from the cloud, accessible from almost anywhere. In practice, the quality of t...

Microsoft #Cloud PC #Conditional Access

10 Apr 2026 2 min read

Microsoft 365 Tenant Audit – Sample Enterprise Report

Most Microsoft 365 tenants don’t lack tools, they lack visibility. This sample enterprise audit report shows how to uncover risk, simplify access, and gain a clear, structured v...

Consulting #Consulting #Identity and Access Management

9 Apr 2026 2 min read

Welcome to Andy Kemp Consulting

Why I Started Andy Kemp Consulting After many years working across Microsoft 365, security, identity, and large‑scale change programmes, I reached a clear conclusion. The work I...

Consulting #Cloud Architecture #Consulting

15 Jan 2026 8 min read Updated 1 Feb 2026

Introducing TechPress All-In-One

Introduction For years I have been frustrated by how most WordPress themes claim to be lightweight or developer friendly but still require a small universe of plugins just to de...

Self-Hosting #Development #Ubuntu

8 Dec 2025 12 min read Updated 6 Jan 2026

Data – The Fourth Pillar of Zero Trust

Introduction In this Zero Trust blog series, we’ve already explored how Identity, Devices, and Applications form the foundation of a modern security strategy. Each pillar plays...

Compliance & Governance #Compliance #Continuous Improvement

21 Nov 2025 15 min read Updated 6 Jan 2026

Applications – The Third Pillar of Zero Trust

Introduction In the first two posts of this Zero Trust series, we established that identity is the new perimeter and devices are the frontline of defence. By verifying every user…

Cyber Security #Conditional Access #Entra ID

12 Nov 2025 20 min read Updated 6 Jan 2026

Devices – The Second Pillar of Zero Trust

Introduction In the first post of this series, we explored how identity has become the new perimeter in a world where users, apps, and data are no longer confined to…

Cyber Security #App Protection Policies #BYOD

31 Oct 2025 12 min read Updated 6 Jan 2026

Identity: The New Perimeter in Zero Trust

Welcome to the first deep dive in my Zero Trust blog series. If you’ve read the series introduction, you’ll know that Zero Trust isn’t a single product or a quick…

Azure #Entra ID #Microsoft

21 Oct 2025 14 min read Updated 6 Jan 2026

Zero Trust Blog Series: A Microsoft-Centric Approach

Introduction Over the past few years, I’ve seen a growing interest in Zero Trust but also a lot of confusion. Many still view it as a product you can buy…

Azure #Cloud Security Strategy #Cyber Security

13 Aug 2025 12 min read Updated 1 Feb 2026

Self-Hosted WordPress Made Simple

Introduction In a previous post, I walked through the step-by-step process of setting up a LAMP stack and deploying WordPress on Ubuntu. While that approach is great for learnin...

GitHub #Apache #Blogging

11 Aug 2025 6 min read

Automate Your Elgato Key Light Air with Microsoft Teams Presence

Introduction If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably joined a video call only to realise your lighting isn’t quite right. I use an Elgato Key Light Air, and I wanted…

Automation #Azure #Elgato Keylight Air

15 Jul 2025 10 min read Updated 17 Jul 2025

Secure Dynamic DNS Updates to Azure with AzureDNSSync

Introduction Like many home users, my broadband connection comes with a dynamically assigned public IP address. This means that my IP can change at any time sometimes without no...

Automation #Ubuntu #azure-automation

12 Jul 2025 20 min read

OpenVPN Site-to-Site setup

Introduction Setting up a Site-to-Site VPN is a powerful way to securely link two remote networks—such as a home lab and a cloud environment—so they behave as if they’re on the...

Azure #Azure #Easy-RSA

8 Jun 2025 9 min read

Deploying Azure Virtual Desktop – A Modular, Automated Approach

Introduction Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is Microsoft’s comprehensive Desktop-as-a-Service platform, enabling secure remote access to Windows desktops and apps from virtually an...

Automation #Azure Virtual Desktop #Azure

30 May 2025 7 min read

Windows Image Prep Tool for Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition

Introduction A while back I wrote a post about my experience with getting my Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition working with a clean install of Windows 11, you can see…

AI #GitHub #Microsoft

9 May 2025 5 min read

Using Cloud PKI with Always On VPN

Using Microsoft Cloud PKI With Always On VPN Introduction I have been playing around with Always On VPN recently. Using it with Domain, Hybrid and Entra Joined devices. As you…

Intune #Entra ID #Intune

6 May 2025 4 min read

Always On VPN Entra Join – Part 5 Deploy Always On VPN for Entra Joined Devices

This is part 5 of my Always On VPN series You can review the pervious posts if required: Introduction So we now have everything in place for Always On VPN….

6 May 2025 9 min read

Always On VPN Entra Join – Part 4 Configure Always On VPN for Entra Joined Devices

This is part 4 of my Always On VPN series You can review the pervious posts if required: Introduction The infrastructure you have in its current state is great if…

6 May 2025 11 min read

Always On VPN Entra Join – Part 3 Core Always On VPN Infrastructure

This is part 3 of my Always On VPN series You can review the pervious posts if required: Introduction Now we have the certificates available the next step is to…

6 May 2025 8 min read

Always On VPN Entra Join – Part 2 Certificate Templates

This is part 2 of my Always On VPN series You can review the pervious posts if required: Introduction Certificates are at the heart of Always On VPN as this…

6 May 2025 4 min read

Always On VPN Entra Join – Part 1 Whats needed

This is part 1 of my Always On VPN series You can review the pervious posts if required: Introduction Always on VPN is a technology thats been around for some…

Entra #Microsoft

15 Apr 2025 6 min read

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition

Introduction I recently with picked up a Microsoft Surface Laptop with Copilot. I wanted to go throguh my frustrations with it to get a clean install of Windows 11 on…