Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

Microsoft’s Active Directory (AD) runs your Windows network and keeps mission-critical legacy apps and workflows running at some organizations. Replacing can be a big commitment and migration planning is an essential step to undertake before kicking off your project. Big commitments are made for very good reasons. Consider that AD has become a top target for cyber attackers and doesn’t meet modern IT requirements.

Microsoft Active Directory (AD) is the primary authentication service used by a majority of organizations worldwide (roughly 90 percent). It stores critical business information on domain controllers (DCs) like user accounts, their permissions, the number of computers in your organization’s network, etc. In other words, it’s critical infrastructure. However, many businesses still don’t understand just how important it is to back up Active Directory.

Microsoft SQL Server is a popular relational database management system (RDBMS). However, determining the effective access rights of users is difficult because in Active Directory (AD) environments, effective access is determined based on not only the user’s direct permissions but also their membership in SQL Server roles, AD groups and Local Windows groups.

Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM) annually recognizes the pioneers who are shaping the future of cybersecurity with its prestigious Global InfoSec Awards. Recently, at the RSA Conference 2024 held in San Francisco, CDM announced the winners of its 12th annual awards, honoring the most innovative and forward-thinking companies in the industry.

Active Directory (AD), a Microsoft Windows directory service, helps maintain a robust security perimeter within enterprise environments. It helps your business enforce security policies, assign permissions and mitigate security risks within the network. Let’s say your business’s IT infrastructure is a fortress, wherein AD acts as the gatekeeper controlling who enters and what they have access to.

Picture this: a high-security vault containing your company’s sensitive data. Unfortunately, the door is wide open, allowing anyone to enter unnoticed. This is the scary truth for firms that fail to audit Active Directory (AD). Why is an unmonitored AD such a concern? Well, your Active Directory is the central hub for user access and authentication. It stores the keys to your kingdom, such as passwords, group memberships, and sensitive accounts.

One of your organization’s most essential components is Active Directory (AD). Here we’ll look at some basic yet best practices for securing Active Directory infrastructure, backed up by statistics. As, in today’s digital landscape, cyber threats lurk around every corner, protecting your organization’s Active Directory infrastructure is more than a priority—it’s a requirement. Let’s not delay any longer – straight into the list we go!

95% of Fortune 1000 organizations use Active Directory (AD) to organize their IT systems. This statistic emphasizes the relevance of AD in modern enterprise networks. AD, as a centralized database including user accounts, group objects, workstation objects, security information, and much more, is critical for managing and securing IT resources. However, the very capabilities that make Active Directory so important, also make it an ideal target for cyber criminals.

What you need to know about Active Directory and its critical role in any cybersecurity strategy.

Active Directory (AD) is the cornerstone of any on-premises or hybrid Microsoft environment. It stores information about users, computers and other objects, and provides vital services that enable employees to be productive and business processes to run. This article covers the Active Directory basics you need to know.