Top Azure Active Directory Alternatives

Microsoft Azure Active Directory is a security service that provides tools to safeguard identities and logins via SSO and TFA like authentication, saving them from most cyber risks and attacks. The service is by default part of many MS Office and Windows Server subscription, but can be used separately too.

Active Directory took its current form from Window Server 2008 and enforced several security policies accordingly. The services of Active Directory are operative since 1999. Additional changes and improvements where brought in Windows Server 2008. It is an integral part of all Windows Server and Office 365 plans.

Azure Active Directory Security Features

Active Directory runs on various steps to complete its security services. It has active directory service controlling domains. Different security policies, roles, and permissions are assigned here, and the users gain access according to them after they log in. Other than this, Active Directory is also used to manage and authenticate other stored data and authorization mechanisms.

Azure Active Directory offers five key elements in its services, viz., Domain, Lightweight, Certificate, Federation, and Rights Management Services. The logical architecture of Active Directory is based on pillars. The Physical structure uses multi-master replication tools. Owing to these, Active Directory can work from cloud-based, on-premise, or even mobile platforms.

Azure Active Directory has SSO, Conditional/Multi-factor access, single identity platform, and integrated developer tools. It has support for more than 2800 integrated apps, usable as SaaS tools. SSO helps give access to the individuals and teams with sign-in options, along with automated workflows and provisioning features.

It possesses company branding, password reset/management, SLA, and device write-back tools. The free version of Azure Active Directory has all key ID and Access management tools. It has up to 500k directory objects and 10 SSO apps. But it has no other support features beyond this. The paid plans in Active Directory are with Office 365 subscription and two other plans at $6 and $9, respectively.

Overall, Microsoft takes the help of over 3500 security experts for Azure AD. It has over 1.2 billion identities and 8 billion authentications stored and processed every day. It is truly a recommended solution to get stable authentication and user identity management software.