How to ensure the security of your Active Directory.
An often underestimated but extremely critical component of the IT infrastructure is Active Directory (AD). In many companies, it has grown, been expanded and adapted over the years - and has become increasingly complex and confusing. What at first glance appears to be a purely technical problem is in fact a significant security risk. Because if no one knows exactly which users have which access rights, the door is wide open for data loss, the loss of know-how or even targeted attacks. Without a clean, transparent and clearly structured AD environment, not only IT security is at risk, but also the company's economic success. But how can you determine whether your AD represents a security risk? The answer lies in the right metrics. In this article, we present four crucial KPIs that you can use to assess the status of your Active Directory and take targeted measures to secure it.
Video tip on the topic
Watch our full webinar on AD Clean-up – or use the table of contents to jump directly to the chapters relevant to you:
Table of Contents:
- 00:00 – Introduction: Why AD Clean-up is critical for IT security
- 08:00 – Typical challenges with authorizations and structures
- 17:22 – Best Practices: Group Structures, Naming Concepts and Clean-up in AD
- 42:22 – IAM systems: stumbling blocks during implementation and integration
- 47:55 – Practical solution: How the migRaven Dashboard supports AD clean-up
1. Nesting depth of group structures
Why is that important?
A key aspect of security in AD is the way groups and permissions are organized. When group structures are deeply nested, it is easy to lose track of which users have access to which resources. A structure that is too complex makes it virtually impossible for administrators to know exactly who has access to what. This creates ideal conditions for hackers looking for overprivileged accounts.
What does that mean for you?
If groups are nested too deeply, permission over-extension can occur. This means that more users than necessary have access to critical systems and data - and this leads to an increased security risk. A simple principle for more security is: Less is more. Any account that has too many privileges is a potential target for internal or external attackers.
KPIs:
Keep track of the number and depth of nesting. Anything deeper than three levels should be considered a potential security risk and reviewed.
2. Redundant group structures
Why is that important?
Redundant group structures lead to complexity and a lack of transparency in Active Directory. Often there are several groups that grant the same rights, which leads to an unnecessary increase in complexity. If the group permissions are not clearly assigned, neither administrators nor managers know which user has which rights.
What does that mean for you?
Redundant groups that grant the same or similar rights make it difficult to keep track and understand who actually has access to which resources. This not only increases the risk of incorrect permissions, but also the risk of security vulnerabilities, as potentially no longer needed or unused groups are not deactivated or deleted.
KPIs:
Get an overview of the redundant groups and eliminate them. Regularly check which groups are actually needed and optimize the structure to ensure that only the most effective groups exist.
3. Overprivileged accounts and the “least privilege” approach
Why is that important?
In a confusing group structure, there is often an excessive number of accounts with administrative rights. These overprivileged accounts provide access to critical systems and resources. When users have more rights than they need, the risk that these rights will be abused increases.
What does that mean for you?
When too many users have administrative privileges, AD becomes vulnerable to attacks, both from within and without. This is because an overprivileged account can do more damage if compromised. Hackers actively seek out these exact accounts because they give them more control over the system.
KPIs:
Determine the number of overprivileged accounts in your organization. Enforce a "least privilege" policy that grants only the minimum necessary permissions, especially when it comes to administrative rights.
4. Lack of transparency and documentation of group authorizations
Why is that important?
In large companies with established IT structures, it is often difficult to understand which groups have what access to data and resources. If these permissions have never been documented or updated, a dangerous lack of transparency arises that can lead to serious security problems.
What does that mean for you?
The danger with undocumented or outdated permissions is that no one knows which groups are still active and what permissions they grant. This can lead to users continuing to have access to sensitive data even though they no longer need this access. In addition, former employees or users from outside the department can continue to remain in groups that should no longer be assigned to them.
KPIs:
Regularly check which groups exist and what permissions they grant. Implement a system for documenting and updating permissions to ensure a clear and transparent structure.
How to solve the problems: The AD Clean-up
The answer to these challenges lies in AD Clean-upThis approach focuses on optimizing and cleaning up Active Directory by simplifying structures and increasing transparency.
Our core strategy includes:
- Reduce structures: Reduce unnecessary nesting to reduce complexity and enable easier administration.
- Resolving redundancies: Eliminate duplicate groups to increase clarity and efficiency.
- Identification of clusters: Grouping related user areas to simplify administration and avoid incorrect configurations.
- Clarity and transparency: Each user group receives only the most necessary rights, which optimizes the administration and security of the AD.
Solve the problem now and contact us: For transparency, security & efficiency of your IT
