For modern organizations, identity and access management (IAM) solutions serve as the frontline defense for data security. They enable accurate and efficient management of identities and their access rights to content, applications and other IT resources. Activity auditing and analytics help IT teams promptly spot threats and respond effectively to preserve security and business continuity. Moreover, adopting IAM is a key step in embracing a Zero Trust security model.

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.

One of the most important aspects of modern cybersecurity is managing access to IT systems and data. Indeed, organizations that lack robust access management are putting a lot on the line, from customer trust to business revenue. This article explains access control management, explores its key components, and provides best practices for implementation.

Workplaces have evolved. While hybrid and remote work existed before COVID-19, these working arrangements became even more prevalent during and after the pandemic. Today, workplaces offer the flexibility for employees to work and access company resources from anywhere worldwide, with the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol at the center of this.

Identity and access management (IAM) plays a crucial role in security by helping to ensure that each user in the organization has access to only the data, systems, and other resources they need to do their job. This article explains the critical functionality of IAM solutions and how an IAM assessment can help you uncover essential risks to security, compliance, and business continuity. Then, it offers IAM best practices and guidance on choosing the right IAM solutions for your organization.

With the advent of the digital transformation — spurred on by the pandemic-related rise in remote work — companies now store most of their data digitally. While moving to digital data storage is incredibly convenient and promotes increased collaboration and efficiency, it has also opened the door for an unprecedented number of cyber-attacks and data breaches.

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.

In 2022, Microsoft rebranded its compliance and risk management tools under the name Microsoft Purview. Microsoft Purview provides a wealth of valuable functionality, including capabilities formerly provided by tools like Office 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft 365 Security Center and Microsoft Compliance Manager.

In the not-so-distant past, managing user identities and access controls was a relatively straightforward process. Organizations operated within the confines of their on-premises networks where users logged onto a single system to access the resources they needed. This well-defined perimeter enabled IT departments to maintain tight control over who accessed what and from where. However, the advent of cloud computing has disrupted this traditional paradigm.

SQL Server is a widely used relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It provides secure, scalable and high-performance storage and management of structured and unstructured data. SQL Server offers a wide range of features and tools for database administration, development, business intelligence and advanced analytics.