Microsoft Entra ID
Definition
Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management service, enhancing security and user management for organizations.
Use Cases
- The Coca-Cola Company: Workforce single sign-on and centralized identity for Microsoft 365 and enterprise applications — Uses Microsoft cloud identity (Azure Active Directory, now Microsoft Entra ID) as the primary identity provider for employees to access Microsoft 365 and integrated SaaS apps with SSO and modern authentication controls. (Improved user sign-in experience with fewer passwords to manage and stronger centralized access control for enterprise applications.)
- Siemens: Enterprise identity federation and secure access across cloud and on-premises applications — Adopted Microsoft cloud identity (Azure Active Directory, now Microsoft Entra ID) to provide SSO and integrate identity with a large application portfolio, using policy-based access controls and federation where needed. (More consistent access management across a complex environment and reduced friction for users accessing corporate applications.)
- Unilever: Secure remote and mobile access to corporate apps with modern authentication — Uses Microsoft cloud identity (Azure Active Directory, now Microsoft Entra ID) with MFA and conditional access-style controls to protect access to Microsoft 365 and connected applications for a global workforce. (Stronger protection against account compromise and a smoother sign-in experience for employees working from many locations and devices.)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: AWS IAM Identity Center (successor to AWS SSO)
- Azure: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory)
- GCP: Cloud Identity
- OCI: OCI Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between Microsoft Entra ID and Active Directory (Windows Server AD)?
- Windows Server Active Directory is typically an on-premises directory used for managing Windows devices, domain logins, and local network resources. Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity provider designed for web and cloud apps (like Microsoft 365 and thousands of SaaS apps) and supports features like SSO, MFA, Conditional Access, and passwordless sign-in. Many organizations use both together in a hybrid setup.
- When should I use Microsoft Entra ID?
- Use Entra ID when you need a central identity system for cloud apps (especially Microsoft 365), want single sign-on across many SaaS applications, need strong security controls like MFA and Conditional Access, or have a hybrid environment where users must access both cloud and on-premises resources. It’s also a common choice when you want to standardize identity for partners/guests using B2B collaboration.
- How much does Microsoft Entra ID cost?
- Pricing depends on the edition and features you need. Many organizations get basic Entra ID capabilities through Microsoft 365 or Azure subscriptions (for example, core directory and SSO for Microsoft services). Advanced capabilities such as Conditional Access, Identity Protection, and more comprehensive governance features typically require paid tiers (commonly Entra ID P1 or P2) and are often licensed per user. Costs vary based on user count, whether you need premium security/governance features, and any bundled Microsoft 365 plans you already own.
Category: security
Difficulty: intermediate
Related Terms
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