diff --git a/src/pages/manage/access-control/endpoint-detection-and-response/force-approval.mdx b/src/pages/manage/access-control/endpoint-detection-and-response/force-approval.mdx new file mode 100644 index 00000000..6ac5184e --- /dev/null +++ b/src/pages/manage/access-control/endpoint-detection-and-response/force-approval.mdx @@ -0,0 +1,117 @@ +# Force Approve EDR-Rejected Peers + +In some situations, you may need to grant network access to a peer that fails EDR or MDM compliance checks. NetBird provides a **force approval** mechanism that allows administrators to override EDR rejections on a per-peer basis. + +## When to Use Force Approval + +Force approval is useful in scenarios such as: + +- **Temporary exceptions**: A device needs immediate network access while compliance issues are being resolved. +- **Testing and development**: Test devices that may not have EDR agents installed. +- **Legacy devices**: Older devices that cannot run the required EDR agent but still need limited network access. +- **False positives**: When the EDR platform incorrectly flags a compliant device. + + + Force approval should be used sparingly and only when necessary. It bypasses security controls designed to protect your network. + + +## How Force Approval Works + +When you force approve a peer: + +1. The peer immediately gains network access, regardless of its EDR compliance status. +2. The force approval remains active until: + - An administrator manually revokes it, OR + - The device becomes naturally compliant in the EDR system (force approval is automatically removed) +3. All force approval actions are logged in the [Activity Events](/manage/activity-events) for audit purposes. + +## Force Approve a Peer + +To force approve an EDR-rejected peer: + +1. Navigate to the [Peers](https://app.netbird.io/peers) page in the NetBird dashboard +2. Locate the peer showing `Approval required` status +3. Click on the peer to open its details +4. Click the **Force Approve** button +5. Confirm the action in the dialog + +

+ Force approve button +

+ +The peer will immediately gain network access and the `Approval required` status will be replaced with a `Force Approved` indicator. + +## View Force-Approved Peers + +To see all peers that have been force approved: + +1. Navigate to the [Peers](https://app.netbird.io/peers) page +2. Use the filter to show only force-approved peers + +Force-approved peers are visually distinguished from naturally compliant peers, making it easy to track which devices have administrative overrides in place. + +## Revoke Force Approval + +To revoke a force approval and return a peer to normal EDR validation: + +1. Navigate to the [Peers](https://app.netbird.io/peers) page +2. Click on the force-approved peer +3. Click the **Revoke Force Approval** button +4. Confirm the action + +

+ Revoke force approval +

+ +Once revoked, the peer will be subject to normal EDR compliance checks. If the device is still non-compliant, it will lose network access and show `Approval required` status again. + +## Automatic Removal of Force Approval + +Force approval is automatically removed when a device becomes naturally compliant in your EDR platform. This ensures that: + +- Devices don't retain unnecessary administrative overrides +- Your security posture improves as devices become compliant +- You don't need to manually clean up force approvals + +For example, if you force approve a peer because its EDR agent was temporarily offline, the force approval will be automatically removed once the agent reconnects and the device passes compliance checks. + +## Activity Logging + +All force approval actions are recorded in the activity log: + +| Event | Description | +|-------|-------------| +| `Peer force approved by admin` | An administrator granted force approval to a peer | +| `Peer force approval revoked` | An administrator or the system removed force approval | + +You can view these events in the [Activity Events](/manage/activity-events) page, including details about which administrator performed the action and the original rejection reason. + +## API Access + +Force approval can also be managed via the NetBird API: + +```bash +# Force approve a peer +curl -X POST "https://api.netbird.io/api/integrations/edr/peers/{peerId}/force-approve" \ + -H "Authorization: Token " + +# Revoke force approval +curl -X DELETE "https://api.netbird.io/api/integrations/edr/peers/{peerId}/force-approve" \ + -H "Authorization: Token " + +# List all force-approved peers +curl -X GET "https://api.netbird.io/api/integrations/edr/peers/force-approved" \ + -H "Authorization: Token " +``` + +## Best Practices + +- **Document exceptions**: Keep a record of why each force approval was granted. +- **Review regularly**: Periodically review force-approved peers and revoke approvals that are no longer needed. +- **Use time-limited access**: Consider revoking force approvals after a defined period. +- **Monitor activity**: Watch for unusual patterns in force approval usage. +- **Prefer compliance**: Always aim to bring devices into compliance rather than relying on force approvals. + + + Force approval requires the `EDR Update` permission. Only users with appropriate roles can force approve or revoke approvals. +