Azure AD provides several different options for enforcing user and device authentication. Here are four key authentication methods available in Azure AD:

  • Password Hash Synchronization (PHS)
  • Pass-through Authentication (PTA)
  • Federated Authentication (AD FS)
  • Seamless Single Sign-On (SSO)

Table of Contents

Password Hash Synchronization (PHS)

PHS is the most straightforward and most common authentication method for syncing internal directories with Azure AD. In this method, a hash of the user’s password from an on-premise Active Directory is synchronized with Azure AD.

The advantages of PHS include simplicity of setup and management, high reliability due to its lack of dependency on the on-premise infrastructure once the password hash is synced, and it provides a simplified user experience as users maintain the same password on-premise and in the cloud.

However, it’s essential to note that PHS requires a consistent network connection to the Azure AD Connect server and an initial synchronization of existing user’s password hashes.

Pass-through Authentication (PTA)

PTA is a more secure authentication method that allows users to sign in to both on-premise and cloud-based applications using the same password. This method validates the user’s password against the on-premise Active Directory via a software agent.

PTA is easy to deploy, doesn’t need to open inbound connections to your network, and can be used with seamless Single Sign-On. Yet, it requires at least one pass-through authentication agent to be installed, and may need additional ones for high availability.

Federated Authentication (AD FS)

Federated Authentication is a higher-security, more complex option that uses a claims-based access-control authorization model. Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) are used to provide users with single sign-on access to systems and applications located across organizational boundaries.

The advantages of AD FS include the ability to leverage features such as Extranet Lockout Protection and Smart Lockout. It also supports sign-ins using certificate-based authentication. However, it requires complex setup and maintenance, and has a high on-premise infrastructure dependency.

Seamless Single Sign-On (SSO)

Seamless SSO automatically signs in users when they are on corporate devices connected to your corporate network. With this feature, users don’t need to type in their passwords to sign in and usually don’t even need to type in their usernames.

This feature provides a better user experience and doesn’t need any additional on-premise components. However, it is not applicable to all scenarios, such as high-security environments where each sign-in should be explicitly authenticated.

Method User Experience On-premise Dependency Security Challenge Setup and Maintenance
PHS High Low Medium Easy
PTA High Medium High Medium
AD FS High High High Complex
SSO Highest Medium Medium Easy

In conclusion, understanding the various authentication methods available in Azure AD is crucial for data security and is a key focus area in the SC-900 Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals exam. By knowing when and how to use each authentication method, you can ensure maximum security for your organization’s data.

Practice Test

True or False: Azure AD uses a password hash synchronization method for authentication.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure AD offers Password hash synchronization, a sign-in method that synchronizes a hash of a user’s on-premises Active Directory password with Azure AD.

Which of the following are federated authentication methods available in Azure AD?

  • A. Active Directory Federation Services
  • B. OpenID Connect
  • C. Google SSO
  • D. Social identity providers

Answer: A, B, D

Explanation: Active Directory Federation Services, OpenID Connect, and social identity providers like Facebook and Google are all federated authentication methods supported by Azure AD.

True or False: Azure AD supports SAML-P based sign-in.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure AD supports SAML-P based sign-in, which provides federation capabilities and a single sign-on experience.

Does Azure AD support multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

  • A. Yes
  • B. No

Answer: A

Explanation: Azure AD supports multi-factor authentication, an addition layer of security during the sign-in process.

What are the methods Azure AD uses in password-based authentication?

  • A. Pass-through authentication
  • B. Cleartext password synchronization
  • C. Managed password authentication
  • D. Password hash synchronization

Answer: A, D

Explanation: Azure AD uses pass-through authentication and password hash synchronization as password-based authentication methods.

True or False: With Azure AD Connect, a company can achieve true single Sign-On.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure AD Connect allows users to have a true single sign-on experience as the system uses the same identity on-premises and in the cloud.

Which of the following are self-service password reset methods in Azure AD?

  • A. Azure AD Password Protection
  • B. Azure AD Identity Protection
  • C. Azure AD B2C
  • D. Azure AD B2B

Answer: A, B

Explanation: Azure AD Password Protection and Azure AD Identity Protection are part of Azure AD’s self-service password reset methods.

Can Azure AD federate with identity providers other than Active Directory?

  • A. Yes
  • B. No

Answer: A

Explanation: Azure AD can federate with other identity providers, not just Active Directory, for larger integration scenarios.

True or False: Pass-Through Authentication requires the installation of an agent on-premises.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Pass-through Authentication requires the installation of an agent on-premise to validate user identities against your local Active Directory.

What type of user management does Azure AD B2B collaboration support?

  • A. Partner-managed identities
  • B. Employee-managed identities
  • C. Customer-managed identities
  • D. Consumer-managed identities

Answer: A

Explanation: Azure AD B2B collaboration allows partner organizations to manage their own identities.

Interview Questions

What is Azure Network Security Group (NSG)?

Azure Network Security Group (NSG) is a feature that enables you to filter network traffic to and from Azure resources in an Azure virtual network. It contains a list of security rules that allow or deny inbound or outbound traffic to various types of Azure resources.

What are the components of Azure Network Security Group?

Azure Network Security Groups comprise of outbound and inbound security rules, with each rule defining source and destination, port range, transport protocol, and action (allow or deny).

Are the rules in Azure Network Security Group stateful or stateless?

The rules in Azure Network Security Group are stateful. This means that if a connection is initiated from a virtual machine (VM), the responses are allowed based on the state of the connection and not the rules from the NSG.

How many Network Security Groups can you have per subscription?

In each Azure subscription, one can have up to 5000 Network Security Groups.

Can you apply Azure NSGs to subnets?

Yes, Azure NSGs can be associated to subnets and/or individual Network Interfaces attached to virtual machines.

What are the default rules in Azure Network Security Group?

There are default rules established for both inbound and outbound traffic when a NSG is created. For inbound traffic, all traffic from the same Virtual Network is allowed, while all other inbound traffic is denied. For outbound traffic, all traffic is allowed.

Can a virtual machine be associated with more than one Network Security Group?

No, each virtual machine can only be associated with one Network Security Group.

How does Azure process multiple rules in a NSG?

Azure processes the rules in a Network Security Group in ascending order of their priority. The lower the number, the higher the priority.

How can I monitor the activity of an Azure Network Security Group?

You can monitor the activity of Azure NSGs using Network Watcher’s NSG flow logs.

Can I create my own custom rules in Azure Network Security Groups?

Yes, in addition to the default rules, you have the ability to create custom rules tailored to your specific needs in Azure NSGs.

Can Azure NSGs be used with on-premises networks in a hybrid environment?

Yes, Azure NSGs can be applied to traffic moving between an on-premises network and Azure in a hybrid scenario via VPN or Azure ExpressRoute.

Can we use Application Security Groups along with Network Security Groups?

Yes, you can use Application Security Groups to group servers with similar functions and apply the network policies at scale.

Can Network Security Groups be used across subscriptions?

Network Security Groups (NSGs) can only be used within the same subscription in which they are created. They are not shareable across subscriptions.

Are Azure NSGs and Azure Firewall the same?

No, Azure NSGs and Azure Firewall serve different purposes. While Azure NSGs provide basic traffic filtering capabilities, Azure Firewall offers more advanced features like threat intelligence based filtering and web traffic filtering.

How can one manage Azure Network Security Groups?

Azure Network Security Groups can be managed via the Azure portal, Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, or ARM templates.

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