Microsoft Entra ID (former Microsoft Azure Active Directory) - modern identity and access management in the cloud

Security and user identity management have become key challenges for organizations worldwide. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Microsoft Azure Active Directory - Azure AD) addresses these challenges by offering advanced identity and access management (IAM) services in a cloud environment. In this article, we look at what Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is, how it works, and the benefits it brings to organizations.

What is Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory)?

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is an identity and access management service provided by Microsoft as part of its Azure cloud platform. It is a cloud-based solution that enables organizations to manage user identities and application access permissions in the cloud and on-premises IT environments. Microsoft Entra ID is an evolution of the classic Active Directory (AD) known from Windows Server, adapted to the needs of modern IT environments and integration with various cloud services.

How does Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) work?

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) operates as a SaaS (Software as a Service) based service that allows central management of identities and control of access to resources. It enables organizations to easily add and remove users, group users into groups, assign applications and services, and configure access policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

The service supports standards-based authentication such as SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect, enabling integration with a wide range of applications and services from Microsoft (e.g. Office 365, Dynamics 365) and third-party vendors.

Key features of Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)

• Identity and group management: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) enables the creation, management and grouping of user identities for easier access and permissions management.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Users can log in to multiple applications and services using a single pair of credentials, greatly simplifying the authentication process and improving security.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): For additional security, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) offers the option to require an additional form of user identity verification, such as via SMS, phone call, or an authentication app.
  Application access management: The ability to assign access to applications and services based on user role, group or other attributes.
• Threat protection: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) offers advanced security features, such as risk analysis of users and suspicious activity, allowing for rapid response to potential threats.

Benefits of implementing Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)

1. Improved data security: With advanced authentication features and access policies, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)helps protect data from unauthorized access.
2. Increased productivity: SSO and easy application integration reduce the time it takes to log in and manage credentials, resulting in higher productivity.
3. Flexibility and scalability: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) enables IAM solutions to scale as your organization grows without investing in additional infrastructure.
4. Simplified management: central management of identities and application access significantly simplifies IT administration and reduces operational costs.

Cost calculation

Accurately calculating the cost of implementing Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) in an organization requires understanding its own identity and access management needs, as well as the number of users using the system. Microsoft offers an Azure pricing calculator to help you estimate monthly costs based on your chosen services and their configuration.

Summary

In summary, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is a powerful tool that enables organizations to manage user identities securely and efficiently and access resources in a cloud environment. With its flexibility, scalability and integration with various services and applications, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is a key component of any modern organisation's digital strategy.