What is Active Directory?

Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft that is primarily used in Windows-based networks to manage and organise resources such as users, computers, groups and other network resources. It plays a crucial role in the realm of cybersecurity and identity and access management (IAM) by providing centralised authentication, authorisation and management of network resources.

Serving as a central repository for user accounts, computer accounts and groups within an organisation's network, it enables administrators to create, manage, and organise these identities in a structured hierarchy, allowing for efficient access control and policy enforcement. It also provides authentication services, allowing users to log in to the network using their credentials (username and password).

Active Directory facilitates authorisation by assigning permissions and access rights to users and groups based on defined policies and integrates with SSO solutions such as My1Login, enabling users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple resources across the network without repeatedly entering credentials.

My1Login also integrates with Active Directory to extend identity lifecycle management, automated provisioning and deprovisioning, role-based access management and privileged access management capabilities. This integration streamlines IAM processes and enhances security posture across the organisation.