HelloID Active Directory (AD) is a directory service that Microsoft developed for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems as a set of processes and services.
Active Directory stores information and settings in a central location for network users, computers, and other resources. This information can include the user’s name, password, and groups to which the user belongs.
Synchronizing on-premises Active Directory:
- A scalable, secure, and manageable method of storing directory data.
- The ability to replicate directory data across multiple servers for fault tolerance, load balancing, and site coverage.
- A common set of interfaces for administering the directory data stored in multiple servers. AD also supports synchronization with on-premises AD environments. This allows you to keep your on-premises AD environment and Azure AD tenant in sync.
- When you sync your on-premises AD with Azure AD, you create a cloud-based representation of your on-premises AD environment.
- You can then use Azure AD as your identity provider (IdP) when you deploy applications and services in the cloud.
Implementing single sign-on with Active Directory:
- In an Active Directory environment, single sign-on (SSO) allows users to authenticate once and gain access to all the applications they are authorized to use. This authentication can be done using a variety of methods, including passwords, smart cards, and biometrics.
- Once a user is authenticated, they can access any application that is integrated with the SSO system. This convenience increases productivity and security by reducing the need for multiple passwords and the potential for password reuse.
- In order to implement SSO with Active Directory, administrators need to configure the applications to use the same authentication method and make sure that the user accounts have been properly provisioned.
By taking these steps, organizations can provide their users with a streamlined experience while maintaining a high level of security.
Federating identities with Active Directory:
One of the challenges of managing a large number of users in managing their identities. When a user leaves the company or changes roles, their identity needs to be updated in each system they have access to. This can be a time-consuming and error-prone process.
Active Directory can help to automate this process by federating identities. This means that instead of each system maintaining its own list of users, all of the systems share a common list that is managed by Active Directory.
Parting note:
When a user’s identity is updated in Active Directory, the change is automatically propagated to all of the systems that are federated with Active Directory. This can greatly reduce the amount of time and effort required to manage users’ identities.
