Implementing an application registration is a crucial step in Microsoft Identity and Access administration, especially when readying for the SC-300 exam. It ensures the security of the apps and simplifies user interaction with the Microsoft identity platform. This post aims to walk through the entire process, step by step.
Understanding Application Registrations
Microsoft Identity Platform has a consent framework that lets users and administrators grant permissions to your applications. It requires registering your application to integrate with the Microsoft identity platform.
In simple terms, registering an application allows the app to be configured to use the Microsoft identity platform, granting permissions on behalf of a user or on behalf of itself.
Key Components of Application Registration
Here is a quick overview of some of the key elements of application registration, which contribute to building a successful registration:
- Application (client) ID: This unique, read-only value is automatically created by Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) during application registration.
- Directories (tenants): Specifies which accounts in Azure AD directories can be used by the application.
- Redirect URIs: URLs where users can be sent after they have authenticated with Microsoft identity platform.
- Implicit grant: Specifies whether to use an implicit grant flow for the application.
- API permissions: Defines which data the application can request and the operations it can perform on behalf of a user.
Steps to Implement Application Registrations
Once the concept and components are clear, we can now proceed to register an application. Here are the steps involved:
1. Sign in to the Azure portal
Use your Azure AD global administrator account to sign in.
2. Register the Application
After signing in, you proceed to the Azure portal, select App registrations and move to New registration. Here you can name your application, choose supported account types and a redirect URI.
3. Configure Permissions
Post-registration, permissions can be added using API permissions -> Add a permission. Depending on your application needs, different permissions such as Microsoft Graph, APIs, etc. can be granted. Always use the least privilege model for security purposes.
4. Add Credentials
For access grants, credentials, either a client secret or certificate, need to be set up on the Certificates & secrets page of your application registration in the Azure portal.
Example: Register a web app
Here is a brief example showcasing application registration for a web application:
- Firstly, ‘Register a new application’ is selected in Azure portal. The application is named ‘Webapp1’ and accounts are set in ‘this organizational directory only’. The redirect URI is left as ‘Web’ and a valid URL is filled.
- Once the ‘Register’ button is clicked, the ‘Application (client) ID’ appears on screen.
- Remember to save this ID for configuring the code later.
- Now, under ‘Manage’ in the application’s Overview page, ‘Authentication’ is selected, and ‘ID tokens’ under ‘Implicit grant and hybrid flows’ is checked.
- Finally, this registration is saved.
In conclusion, implementing application registrations in Microsoft Azure is fundamental to provide appropriate access permissions for your applications. As an SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator aspirant, you should be comfortable with executing application registrations and configuring proper settings depending on different application requirements.
Practice Test
True or False: As part of an application’s lifecycle, it is unnecessary to register the application to use Azure AD for identity service.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: For an application to leverage Azure AD, it must be registered on the platform. This is a crucial aspect of the application’s lifecycle.
What is the purpose of registering an Application in Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)?
- A) To enable the application to look up data in the directory
- B) To enable Azure AD to provide token-based authentication for the application
- C) For Microsoft to advertise the application to Azure users
- D) All of the above
Answer: B) To enable Azure AD to provide token-based, secure authentication for the application
Explanation: Registering an app in Azure AD provides it with a unique identifier which allows it to make requests to APIs and enables Azure AD to provide token-based authentication.
What should an administrator do to access Web APIs securely in an application?
- A) Register the application
- B) Do nothing, Azure AD will automatically handle all security aspects
- C) Provide public access to the application without registration
- D) Bypass Azure AD altogether
Answer: A) Register the application
Explanation: To access Web APIs securely, the application needs to be registered. Azure AD uses this registration to protect the application’s resources.
True or False: Azure AD only supports single tenant applications.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure AD supports both single tenant (only available within the organization) and multi tenant (available to multiple organizations) applications.
Single Select: Which of the following identifier is generated by Azure AD during application registration?
- A) Application secret
- B) Application (client) ID
- C) Password
- D) User ID
Answer: B) Application (client) ID
Explanation: Azure AD generates an Application (client) ID during application registration which represents the application in protocol transactions.
During application registration in Azure AD, you are required to define a:
- A) Brand
- B) Redirect URI
- C) Company Name
- D) Code snippet
Answer: B) Redirect URI
Explanation: A Redirect URI is necessary during application registration. It is the location where Azure AD will send the authentication response (including tokens) from a user.
True or False: Any person in an organization can register an application in Azure AD.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: By default, any user in an Azure AD tenant can register an application. However, this setting can be modified by the tenant’s administrator.
Multiple Select: Azure AD application objects represent:
- A) The Application’s programming logic
- B) The Application within the organization
- C) The instance of the application in the Azure AD tenant
- D) The Application’s servers
Answer: B) The Application within the organization, C) The instance of the application in the Azure AD tenant
Explanation: Azure AD application objects represent the application within the organization and the instance of the application in the Azure AD tenant, not the actual code or servers.
Single select: Which of the following specific settings must be configured for a public client/native application?
- A) Application ID URI
- B) Credential
- C) Redirect URI
- D) Exposed API
Answer: C) Redirect URI
Explanation: A public client/native application, like a mobile app, needs a Redirect URI configured where Azure AD will send authentication responses.
True or False: The “Supported account types” option determines who can use the application.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The “Supported account types” option during the registration process determines who can sign in to the application – for example, accounts in the organization only, accounts in any organization, etc.
Interview Questions
What is the main purpose of Application Registrations in Azure Active Directory?
Application Registrations in Azure Active Directory allows applications to be set up to use Azure AD for identity management. Each application in your Azure AD tenant has an Application Registration that contains information about your app.
How can you grant an application access to a web API in Azure AD during application registration?
During application registration in Azure AD, access to a web API can be granted by specifying the API permissions in the “API permissions” section under “Manage”.
What is a Redirect URI in a Microsoft Application Registration?
A Redirect URI is the location where the authorization server sends the user once the app has been successfully authorized and granted an authorization code or access token. The Redirect URI is specified in the Azure portal during the application registration.
What does the Application (client) ID represent in Azure AD application registration?
The Application (client) ID is a unique identifier for your application. It’s generated by Azure AD and is globally unique. You can use this ID in your application to identify it whenever it needs to interact with Azure AD.
In Azure AD, what is the difference between single-tenant and multi-tenant applications?
Single-tenant applications only allow users in the same Azure AD tenant, where the application was registered. Multi-tenant applications can be used by users in any Azure AD tenant.
What information is needed for an application to authenticate to Azure AD?
To authenticate to Azure AD, an application needs the Azure AD Tenant ID, Application (Client) ID, and either a Client Secret or Certificate.
How do you add a client secret in Azure AD application registration?
A client secret can be added under the “Certificates & secrets” section during the Azure AD application registration. You have to provide a description and optionally choose the secret’s expiration duration to create a new client secret.
Can I change the Application ID of a registered application in Azure AD?
No, you cannot change the Application ID of a registered application in Azure AD. It’s a read-only property that gets created during application registration.
What is the purpose of the manifest file in Azure AD application registration?
The manifest file in Azure AD application registration is a JSON document that contains app settings allow you to manually edit your application-related details, like application roles and permissions, group claims and more.
How do you retrieve the values of the Directory (tenant) ID and the Application (client) ID once an application is registered in Azure AD?
Once an application is registered in Azure AD, the values of the Directory (tenant) ID and the Application (client) ID can be retrieved from the “Overview” section under “Manage” in the application’s registration page.
What type of permissions can be assigned to an application during the Azure AD registration process?
During the Azure AD registration process, you can assign delegated permissions and application permissions to an application.
What happens when you delete an application registration in Azure AD?
When you delete an application registration in Azure AD, all settings and definitions for the application get deleted. This includes any permissions and associations.
How do you initiate user consent for an application during the Azure AD registration process?
To initiate user consent during the Azure AD registration process, you need to specify the required permissions for the application in the “API permissions” section and then have the user authenticate through a signed-in URL, which prompts for consent.
What is the function of the token endpoint in Azure AD?
The token endpoint in Azure AD is where the application sends a request to get an access token from Azure AD after the application has been authorized by the user.
How can an app be granted admin consent during Azure AD application registration?
An app can be granted admin consent during Azure AD application registration by using the “Grant admin consent for” button in the “API permissions” section. This needs to be done by a user with the Global Administrator role.
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