What’s an Active Directory?

The Active Directory (AD) is an essential information repository and a proprietary directory service of Microsoft. The AD functions on the Windows server and facilitates IT admins implement access management to the computer systems, network and its associated devices.

The information stored in AD are in the form of objects, these are either a single user or group of users, applications / software, or a hardware device such as printer. Objects altogether are also known as resources that comprise of computers, devices, security policies and users. These objects are categorized by their names (username) and attributes (passwords or any access keys).

The key role of Active Directory is the Domain Service (AD DS), this stores information and also manages the communication within the user and domain. The AD DS also authenticates each user’s access when they attempt to log into a device or connect to a network or a server.

Performing such multitude functions, the Active Directory if not properly maintained, could result in a complete mishap within the entire information and cyber security posture of your organisation. To counter such instances a habitual audit is always essential.

What happens in an Active Directory Security audit?

During this process the entire information (objects) present on the Active Directory is collected and analysed for any anomalies, the audit contains certain key aspects to be centralized upon, moving forward let’s discuss a few of them. These prospects have been conceptualised keeping an information and cyber security perspective in mind, in order to proactively detect any potential sensitive information leak or cyber-attack.