Azure Active Directory (Azure AD - Entra ID)
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), part of Microsoft Entra, is an enterprise identity service that provides single sign-on, multifactor authentication, and conditional access to guard against 99.9 percent of cybersecurity attacks
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management service. It's designed to provide identity and access management for a variety of resources, applications, and services that are part of the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, as well as for other third-party applications and services. Azure AD enables organizations to manage user identities, authenticate users, and control their access to resources both within the organization and across cloud services.
Key features and functionalities of Azure Active Directory include:
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Single Sign-On (SSO): Users can log in once with their Azure AD credentials and access various applications and services without having to enter their credentials again.
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Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before gaining access, such as a password and a mobile app code.
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User and Group Management: Organizations can create, manage, and organize user accounts and groups within Azure AD. This allows for efficient control over who has access to specific resources.
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Application Management: Azure AD can be used to manage and secure access to various applications, whether they are hosted in the cloud or on-premises.
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Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Organizations can assign different levels of permissions to users and groups based on their roles, ensuring that individuals have access only to the resources they need.
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Integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure Services: Azure AD is tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 services (formerly Office 365), Azure services, and other Microsoft cloud offerings, allowing for a seamless user experience across these services.
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External User Collaboration: Organizations can collaborate with external users by inviting them to access specific resources while maintaining control over their access.
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Conditional Access: Organizations can define policies that determine under which conditions users can access specific resources. This adds an extra layer of security and control based on factors like location, device, and user behavior.
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Identity Protection: Azure AD offers tools to monitor and protect user identities from potential threats, helping to identify and respond to suspicious activities.
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Self-Service Password Reset: Users can reset their passwords without requiring IT assistance, improving efficiency and reducing helpdesk requests.
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B2B and B2C Scenarios: Azure AD supports business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, allowing organizations to invite external partners to access certain resources. Additionally, Azure AD B2C enables organizations to manage customer identities for applications and services.
Azure Active Directory plays a crucial role in modern identity and access management, especially as more organizations adopt cloud-based services and applications. It's important to note that there are different editions and plans of Azure AD available, eac