After setting up virtual machines and exploring core Azure services, I realized that managing identity and access is just as important as deploying resources. Without proper access controls, even the most secure infrastructure can become vulnerable.
In this blog, I’ll break down the basics of Azure identity management, including Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and Identity and Access Management (IAM)—based on what I’ve learned and implemented in my projects.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
- What is Azure Active Directory?
- The difference between Azure AD and traditional Active Directory
- How I use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- Overview of IAM in Azure
- Tips for securing Azure resources
🧾 What is Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)?
Azure AD is Microsoft’s cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) service. It helps me authenticate and authorize users, apps, and services across Microsoft 365, Azure, and custom applications.
Think of it as the cloud version of Active Directory, but built to support web apps, cloud services, and mobility.
🔄 Key Features I Use in Azure AD:
- User and group management
- Single sign-on (SSO) for cloud apps
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Enterprise app integrations (e.g., Salesforce, Zoom, GitHub)
- Conditional Access for enforcing security policies
🏢 Azure AD vs. On-Prem AD
| Feature | Azure Active Directory | Traditional Active Directory |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Type | Cloud-based | On-premises |
| Protocols | OAuth, SAML, OpenID Connect | Kerberos, NTLM |
| Domain Join | Azure AD Join / Hybrid Join | Domain Join |
| Integration | SaaS, Web, Mobile | LAN, legacy apps |
| MFA, Conditional Access | Built-in | Requires add-ons |
I use Azure AD to manage cloud-native apps, while Hybrid AD helps in scenarios where on-prem AD still exists.
🎯 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
RBAC is how I control who can do what in Azure. Instead of giving someone full access, I assign roles like Reader, Contributor, or Owner based on what they need.
📌 Example:
When I deploy a resource group for testing, I give team members the Contributor role—so they can deploy and manage resources but can’t delete the resource group.
RBAC Scope Levels:
- Management Group (highest)
- Subscription
- Resource Group
- Individual Resource
RBAC helps me apply the principle of least privilege, reducing security risks.
🛡️ Identity and Access Management (IAM) in Azure
In Azure, IAM refers to the entire identity and access control system—powered by Azure AD and RBAC.
What I Manage Through IAM:
- Who has access (users, groups, service principals)
- What level of access they have (role definitions)
- Where the access applies (scope: resource/subscription)
- How access is granted (Azure portal, CLI, ARM templates)
🧠 Tips I Follow for Identity Security
- ✅ Enable MFA for all users, especially global admins
- ✅ Use groups for assigning roles instead of individual users
- ✅ Audit access using Azure AD sign-in logs and activity logs
- ✅ Review RBAC roles regularly—remove unused permissions
- ✅ Use Conditional Access to block risky sign-ins
🔚 Conclusion
Understanding Azure identity concepts like Azure AD, RBAC, and IAM helped me take control of who can access what—and how—in my Azure environments. Whether you’re managing a small test setup or an enterprise deployment, identity is the foundation of a secure cloud.
Start by exploring Azure AD, practice assigning RBAC roles, and always follow the least privilege model.