Identity and access management (IAM) is a top priority for senior IT leaders seeking to enhance security without hindering productivity. The Microsoft Entra Suite offers a range of powerful tools for managing identity governance, securing access, and verifying user identity.
In the article below, we’ll explore the star components of Entra Suite and explain how they address modern IAM challenges.
Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)
Identity governance has become a critical focus for businesses, especially in sectors like education and healthcare, where manual and disjointed identity management processes are still prevalent. The IGA component within Entra Suite offers a solution by automating account provisioning and de-provisioning.
This feature streamlines the onboarding of employees, students, faculty, and healthcare staff, enabling businesses to maintain a secure, compliant environment with minimal manual intervention.
With IGA, institutions can improve security and operational efficiency by automating identity lifecycles. For instance, universities with high turnover can eliminate the need for paper-based account setups each semester, enhancing both security and productivity.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
In response to the ever-complex threat landscape, many businesses are adopting a zero trust approach to security. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) within Entra Suite provides secure access by authenticating each access attempt individually, ensuring that only verified users and devices can reach sensitive data and applications.
ZTNA is especially beneficial for institutions managing multiple access points and device types, such as remote employees and BYOD policies. This approach helps reduce the attack surface and safeguards against internal and external threats, strengthening the business’s overall security posture.
Verified ID
One of the most innovative features in Entra Suite is Verified ID, which addresses challenges associated with identity verification. A powerful tool in preventing forbidden access, Verified ID allows businesses to authenticate users based on trusted identity data stored within Microsoft Authenticator. This capability is invaluable in scenarios where verifying identities can be challenging, such as remote hiring or global access.
Verified ID’s verification features help prevent incidents like the high-profile security breach involving fake credentials. With Verified ID, organizations can validate user identities more rigorously, enhancing security and trust within the digital ecosystem.
External ID for SaaS Providers
For SaaS companies, Entra Suite’s External ID feature simplifies the process of granting end-user access to applications. Historically, setting up external identities was cumbersome and required navigating multiple Azure AD instances.
External ID in Entra Suite allows these businesses to grant seamless access to users outside of their internal directory, making it easier for SaaS providers to extend their offerings to clients and partners.
This new approach to external identity management supports a smooth experience for both the provider and the user, allowing SaaS businesses to deliver their products to a wider audience while maintaining security.
Bringing It All Together with Conditional Access
Microsoft Entra Suite further enhances security with robust conditional access policies, which allow IT teams to create complex access controls tailored to specific needs. By implementing policies based on identity risk, location, device compliance, and more, businesses can adopt a zero trust framework that enforces security without disrupting user experience.
The Entra Suite’s combination of IGA, ZTNA, Verified ID, and External ID offers a powerful toolkit for senior IT leaders aiming to address security, streamline processes, and enhance user experiences.
