What is Microsoft Entra/Azure Active Directory and what are its Benefits for Businesses?
How do you effectively manage all the users and devices in your business? If you have read our article on why Local Admin is dangerous, you should by now know that setting them as local admins of their own devices is the last thing you want to be doing.
Microsoft Entra (formerly known as Azure AD/Azure Active Directory) is a cloud-based identity and access management service that provides businesses with a robust solution for managing and securing identities, managing access, and improving productivity. Its comprehensive features and integration into the wider suite of Microsoft services and capabilities make it a cornerstone of modern IT strategies.
Key Uses of Azure Active Directory
Single Sign-On (SSO):
Single Sign-On (SSO) is a feature of Microsoft Entra/Azure AD that allows users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications/services without needing to log in for each individual application/service. This simplifies the user experience and increases productivity by reducing the number of credentials users need to remember and manage. With SSO, users can seamlessly access Microsoft applications such as Microsoft 365, as well as a variety of third-party applications like Salesforce, Adobe, and many more. This not only enhances user convenience but also improves security by reducing the potential attack surface associated with multiple logins, making it easier to add, remove, secure and lock access to accounts and services.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Entra’s MFA requires users provide multiple forms of verification, in addition to an email address and password, before gaining access to resources. This typically involves a combination of something the user knows (password), something the user has (a trusted device like a smartphone), something the user is (biometric verification), or something a user can interact with (such as a code or response via an app). MFA significantly bolsters user account security by making it more challenging for cyber criminals to compromise user accounts, which is particularly crucial in today’s environment where phishing, credential theft, and dark web leaks of user data are prevalent.
Conditional Access:
Conditional Access in Microsoft Entra/Azure AD allows businesses to define policies that determine how and when users can access applications and services covered by their Active Directory account (including those linked with SSO). These policies can consider factors such as user location, device health, and risk levels to make access decisions in real-time. For example, access can be restricted when a user tries to log in from an unfamiliar location or device, thereby enhancing security and ensuring that access is only granted under defined safe conditions.
Self-Service Password Reset:
This feature enables users to reset their passwords independently without needing to contact IT support. Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) reduces the workload on IT departments and minimises downtime for users who might otherwise be locked out of their accounts. This feature is particularly valuable for large organisations where password reset requests can represent a significant portion of helpdesk activities.
Device Management:
Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure AD) integrates with device management tools such as Microsoft Intune, allowing businesses to enforce security policies on all devices that access corporate resources. This capability is especially important in environments with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, as it ensures that personal devices meet corporate security standards before accessing sensitive information.
Benefits to Businesses
Enhanced Security:
Entra provides a robust security framework that includes MFA, conditional access, and identity protection. These features collectively help protect against a wide range of security threats, from phishing attacks to data breaches. By centralising identity management, Microsoft Entra reduces the risk of compromised credentials and ensures that only authorised users have access to critical resources.
Cost Savings:
Adopting Microsoft Entra can lead to significant cost savings for businesses. By migrating from on-premises identity solutions to a cloud-based service, organisations can reduce expenditures related to hardware, software licensing, maintenance, and even overheads associated with onsite hardware. A Forrester study found that businesses using Microsoft Entra/Azure AD experienced a 123% return on investment over three years, highlighting its cost-efficiency.
Improved IT Efficiency:
The service enhances IT efficiency through automation and centralisation. Tasks such as user provisioning, password resets, and access management can be automated and managed by our IT service desk. This allows internal to focus on more strategic projects and their business growth, and by extension, reduces the likelihood of human error, which can lead to security vulnerabilities.
Scalability and Flexibility:
Microsoft Entra/Azure Active Directory is designed to scale with the needs of growing businesses. Its cloud-based architecture allows for easy expansion and integration with other services as your business grows. Additionally, Entra offers various service tiers, to suit the size, complexity, and security requirements of your business. This scalability ensures that businesses can continue to use Entra as their needs evolve and their business grows.
Integration with the Wider Azure Ecosystem
Azure Active Directory/Microsoft Entra is a crucial backbone of the broader Microsoft Azure ecosystem, seamlessly integrating with various Azure services to provide a comprehensive identity and access management solution. For example, it works in conjunction with Azure Information Protection to safeguard sensitive data, and with Azure Security Centre to monitor and protect cloud environments. This integration allows businesses to leverage a unified platform for managing security and compliance, enhancing overall operational efficiency and security posture.
Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a Microsoft Entra/Azure AD feature that helps businesses manage, control, and monitor access to critical resources. PIM provides several key capabilities:
Just-In-Time Access
PIM allows users to request elevated access (or permission) for a limited period, reducing the risk associated with prolonged access to sensitive information. This ensures that elevated permissions are granted only when necessary and are automatically revoked after the specified time.
Audit and Reporting
PIM includes comprehensive auditing and reporting features that track privileged access activities. These logs help organisations meet compliance requirements and provide visibility into access patterns, which can be crucial for identifying and addressing potential security issues.
Find out more about Privileged Identity Management (PIM) in our dedicated article.
How can TwentyFour IT Services help manage your users?
The integration with the broader Azure ecosystem and support for advanced identity management practices make it an essential component of any modern business IT strategy. By leveraging these features, businesses can enhance their security posture, reduce costs, and ensure that their IT infrastructure is scalable and efficient as their business grows.
At TwentyFour, we work with businesses around the world to ensure that their users, permissions, access, and security are efficiently and effectively managed.
If you would like to find out more about Microsoft Entra/Azure AD and how your business can improve its overall user management and security, fill out the form below to find out more.