Gaining centralized control of your IT environment is crucial for managing identities in your organization, minimizing unauthorized access, and reducing cybersecurity risks. Implementing strong authentication, enforcing access controls, and simplifying security auditing are essential steps to achieve this. Microsoft Entra ID enables you to manage user identities, improving security and efficiency. Here are some major functionalities and features that allow you to manage identities in Microsoft Entra ID.
Users and Groups
Users:
- Create User Accounts: Assign meaningful usernames and implement secure passwords with complexity requirements and change cycles.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for an extra layer of security, requiring a secondary verification step during login.
- License Management: Assign licenses to grant access to specific applications users need for their roles.
Groups:
- Organize Users: Group users based on department, function, or project for efficient permission management.
- Security Groups: Control access to resources by assigning permissions to security groups.
- Distribution Groups: Simplify email distribution by creating groups for specific recipients.
Access Management
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
- Define Roles: Create roles with specific permissions tailored to different job functions.
- Assign Roles: Assign these roles to users or groups, ensuring granular control over access to resources.
Conditional Access:
- Context-Aware Access: Set access policies based on factors like location, device health, and user risk level.
- Enhanced Security: Enforce MFA for access outside the office or from non-compliant devices.
Identity Protection
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce strong authentication beyond passwords, considering biometrics or security keys for increased phishing resistance.
Password Management:
- Password Policies: Set password complexity requirements (minimum length, character types) and enforce regular password changes.
- Self-Service Password Reset: Empower users to reset their passwords without IT intervention, reducing help desk tickets.
Advanced Management Features
- User Provisioning & Lifecycle Management: Automate user creation and updates based on HR data or directory integration.
- Just-in-Time (JIT) Access: Grant temporary access to resources based on specific needs, reducing extended access rights.
- Privileged Access Management (PAM): Control and monitor privileged user access for highly sensitive resources.
- Identity Governance & Reporting: Conduct periodic access reviews and generate reports to track user activity and identify potential security risks.
- Password-less Authentication: Explore methods like Windows Hello for Business or security keys to eliminate password reliance altogether.