Active Directory (AD) is a directory service from Microsoft that is used for centralized management of users, computers, and other resources in an organization’s network. AD stores information about network objects, such as user accounts, groups, computers, and printers, allowing administrators to efficiently manage access and permissions across the enterprise.
The main functions of Active Directory include:
- Authentication: verifying the identity of users when they log into the network.
- Authorization: controlling access to resources based on group membership and access rights.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): the ability to access all permitted resources after a single authentication.
The structure of AD is based on a hierarchy of objects organized into forests, domains, organizational units (OUs), and individual objects such as users and computers. This hierarchical model allows for efficient application of policies and settings to groups of objects.
A properly configured Active Directory enhances security and simplifies the management of an organization’s IT infrastructure. However, incorrect AD configuration can lead to vulnerabilities and security risks, so it is important to follow guidelines and best practices when deploying and managing this service.
