✅ 1. AWS Directory Services
Options:
- AWS Managed Microsoft AD (fully managed, supports trust relationships)
- Simple AD (limited features, Samba-based)
- AD Connector (proxy to on-prem AD)
Best Practices:
- Use AWS Managed Microsoft AD for full feature parity with on-prem Active Directory.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) via AWS IAM or integrated IdPs.
- Use fine-grained permissions via Group Policy Objects (GPOs).
- Enforce password policies, account lockout policies, and audit logging (CloudWatch/CloudTrail).
- Enable TLS encryption for all directory communications.
✅ 2. Azure AD Connect (Hybrid Identity Sync)
Purpose: Sync on-prem AD with Azure AD for SSO across Microsoft cloud services.
Secure Implementation:
- Use Pass-through Authentication (PTA) with MFA for secure user verification.
- Avoid Password Hash Sync unless needed for backup access.
- Enable Hybrid Azure AD Join for seamless device-based access control.
- Monitor synchronization logs and Azure AD Connect Health.
- Configure scoping filters to limit objects synchronized to Azure AD.
Security Add-ons:
- Use Azure AD Conditional Access to enforce access policies.
- Integrate Microsoft Defender for Identity to detect AD threats.
✅ 3. AWS SSO (IAM Identity Center)
Purpose: Centralized user access to AWS accounts and third-party applications.
Secure Setup:
- Integrate AWS SSO with Azure AD or on-prem AD via SAML 2.0.
- Use Attribute-based Access Control (ABAC) for scalable permission policies.
- Enable MFA for all users.
- Automate provisioning with SCIM when connecting to Azure AD.
- Define permission sets with least privilege across AWS Organizations.
✅ 4. Third-Party Integrations
Examples: Okta, Ping Identity, OneLogin, CyberArk, SailPoint
Integration Use Cases:
- Use Okta Universal Directory to federate identity across AWS, Azure, and SaaS.
- Implement SAML or OIDC federation between third-party IdPs and AWS/Azure.
- Use CyberArk for secure credential vaulting and rotation in AWS/Azure.
- Leverage SailPoint or Saviynt for identity governance and audit compliance.
- Use JumpCloud or Auth0 for lightweight cloud-based directory services if no AD exists.
Security Practices:
- Enforce SSO with MFA across all apps.
- Log all authentication and access events to SIEM tools (Splunk, ELK, Sentinel).
- Automate account lifecycle management (joiners, movers, leavers).
- Use Just-In-Time (JIT) access and RBAC for high-privilege roles.
🔒 Zero Trust Integration (Optional)
- Enforce device trust, user trust, and app trust using Conditional Access policies.
- Use microsegmentation and Identity-Aware Proxies (e.g., AWS Verified Access).
- Implement privileged access workstations (PAWs) for administration.
