Controlling who has access to what in your company’s IT system is essential to maintaining security and functionality. Roles and permissions in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) let you accomplish this. A substantial understanding of these roles is crucial, regardless of the size of the organisation you manage. It is recommended to undergo a Microsoft Azure Course to work effectively in organisations. This blog will go over the various role kinds, how to assign them, and recommended practices. Let’s explore Azure Active Directory roles and permissions to help you maintain the security and effectiveness of your company.

Table of Contents

• What are Azure AD Roles?
• Key Built-In Azure AD Roles 
• Custom Roles in Azure AD
• Role Assignments and Scope
• Best Practices for Managing Azure AD Roles and Permissions
• Conclusion

What are Azure AD Roles?

A set of permissions called Azure AD roles defines users’ actions within the Azure AD environment. By limiting access to and management of resources to only those who are authorised, these roles contribute to improved operational efficiency and security. Several built-in roles with specified permissions for frequent administrative activities are available in Azure AD. Organisations can also design unique positions to fit their unique requirements.

Key Built-In Azure AD Roles 

Global Administrator

In Azure AD, the role with the highest level of access is Global Administrator. All aspects of Azure AD and its related services are manageable by users who have been allocated this role. These covers setting up domain settings, controlling billing, and creating and managing users, groups, and other administrators.

User Administrator

Users with the User Administrator role can oversee groups and user accounts. They can handle group memberships, reset passwords, and establish and remove user accounts. However, they cannot access every setting that a global administrator can.

Application Administrator

Application administrators can manage all the apps in the directory. They can also set up application proxy settings, control rights for individual applications, and register new applications.

Security Administrator

Conditional access controls, identity protection, and security alerts are just a few of the security-related elements in Azure AD that need to be managed by security administrators. They can also control Azure service configurations linked to security.

Billing Administrator

Billing Administrators can control subscriptions and billing settings and access billing data. However, they cannot administer Azure AD’s other features or Azure resources.

Helpdesk Administrator

Assistance Desk When a user needs help with routine problems like changing their password or unlocking their account, administrators can help. They lack more extensive administrative rights.

Custom Roles in Azure AD

Although built-in roles meet many basic administrative needs, organisations sometimes need more precise control over permissions. To meet these demands, bespoke roles can be created using Azure AD. Administrators can provide precise permissions based on specific needs by creating custom roles.

Creating Custom Roles:

• Define the Role: Determine the precise commands and authorisations required for the customised role.
• Use the Azure Portal: To access the Azure AD component, navigate to “Roles and Administrators.”
• Create the Role: Select “New custom role” and specify the role’s scope and rights.
• Assign the Role: Like built-in roles, the custom role can be assigned to users or groups once developed.

Role Assignments and Scope

Access control can be more exact and flexible by assigning Azure AD roles at different scopes. Where the position’s permissions are applicable is determined by the scope of a role assignment. There are three primary scopes:

Directory-Wide Scope

All entries in the Azure AD directory are subject to permissions. This scope usually covers roles like Global Administrators that need extensive administrative access.

Administrative Unit Scope

Resources like users and groups are grouped in Administrative Units (AUs) containers. Only the resources within the designated AU are covered by the roles defined in the AU scope. This scope makes assigning administrative responsibilities to departments or areas easier.

Application Scope

Permissions are restricted to a single application. This scope best suits roles that require restricted application management without broader directory access.

Best Practices for Managing Azure AD Roles and Permissions

Principle of Least Privilege

Give people the minimal amount of access necessary to complete their tasks. This lowers the possibility of unintentional or malevolent directory modifications.

Regular Review of Role Assignments

Periodically review role allocations to ensure they are still suitable. To keep things safe, get rid of any old or pointless assignments.

Use Administrative Units

Use Administrative Units to assign permissions in a more targeted manner. This facilitates large-scale organisation management by limiting directory access to sections.

Monitor Role Changes

To keep track of modifications to role assignments, enable auditing and monitoring. This facilitates the quick detection of unwanted or unauthorised changes.

Implement Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)

To provide an additional degree of protection, mandate MFA for administrative posts. This lessens the chance of unauthorised access and credential theft.

Educate Administrators

Make sure administrators are aware of the responsibilities and authority granted to them. Inadequate training aids in the prevention of setup errors and privilege abuse.

Conclusion

Maintaining a safe and effective IT environment requires understanding and controlling Azure Active Directory roles and permissions. Utilising pre-existing roles, generating new roles, and adhering to recommended standards allow organisations to guarantee users have the proper access to resources while lowering security risks. The Knowledge Academy offers free resources that can help you understand these roles and permissions, making it easier to navigate the complexity of identity and access management in the cloud, regardless of whether you are configuring Azure AD for the first time or optimising your current setup.