{"id":43837,"date":"2023-11-06T11:25:59","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T16:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=43837"},"modified":"2024-11-08T16:49:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T21:49:50","slug":"ad-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/ad-small-businesses","title":{"rendered":"Active Directory for Small Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Active Directory\u00ae<\/sup> (AD) is a legacy Microsoft\u00ae<\/sup> technology that\u2019s been a mainstay in IT for decades. It has provided IT admins with a directory service that manages fleets of Windows\u00ae<\/sup> systems and users. AD has served as an indispensable tool for small businesses and managed services providers<\/a> (MSPs), because it established access control over an entire workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Widespread adoption of cloud-based apps, non-Windows endpoints like Android, macOS\u00ae<\/sup>, and Linux\u00ae<\/sup>, began to raise the question of whether Active Directory was still the best option. Small businesses are judicious about adopting new technologies, and many weren\u2019t convinced that adding \u201cmore stuff\u201d was really necessary. AD modernization has become crucial for Zero Trust security strategies, which are used to protect businesses (of all sizes) from cyber threats. Attacks can adversely impact business operations and disrupt cash flow. In response, Microsoft is directing organizations that use AD to adopt its vertically integrated suite of services. It\u2019s addressing AD\u2019s functional and security problems by selling you more products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That top-down approach may not be ideal for every organization, especially ones that have fewer resources on hand. A small business may ask whether it\u2019s possible to modernize AD in another way that\u2019s more flexible, won\u2019t distract from their mission, is centralized, and cost-effective. This article explores Microsoft\u2019s options as well as JumpCloud\u2019s open directory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you decide to adopt next could become what you end up using for the next 25 years. JumpCloud provides a path to modernize AD without locking you into a major commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directory Services for Small Businesses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many business owners and IT people work from their smartphones. An unmanaged device that accesses company resources is a major security risk because CEO fraud and business email compromise (BEC)<\/a> are cybercriminals\u2019 favored method of attack. A cloud directory can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A centralized identity provider<\/a> (IdP) includes unified endpoint management (UEM) to organize and secure all of a business\u2019 IT assets, regardless of its size. This approach meets Microsoft’s criteria<\/a> for IT modernization, which mirrors Zero Trust security objectives. It\u2019s possible for a small business to modernize AD using an IdP, without getting rid of what it has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IdPs can securely connect and authorize users into virtually any IT resource such as web apps, devices, or network hardware. Privileged access can be configured using technologies such as conditional access that add context to sign-ins. That may all sound good to an IT person at a small business, but it\u2019s natural to question, \u201chow much extra work will this create for me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, modernizing AD reduces IT admins\u2019 workloads by automating processes such as onboarding and offboarding users and streamlining entitlements management for your digital estate. IdPs can also integrate with HR systems to bring HR and IT closer together. That eliminates manual processes that can introduce mistakes and inefficiencies at the very least. In general, eliminating silos and point solutions that have been used to extend AD piecemeal will reduce management overhead and permit you to build a stronger relationship with your IdP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some organizations may still opt to do nothing and stick exclusively with AD. Let’s examine the impact to costs, productivity, and flexibility of that approach from a small business perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \"JumpCloud\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n Securely connect to any resource using Google Workspace and JumpCloud. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Learn More<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Note:<\/strong> \n

The hidden costs<\/a> of using Active Directory.<\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Active Directory provides services that IT admins can employ to manage Windows systems housed within an organization. Of these, the most common are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n