Optimize Active Directory with a cloud identity solution
Transform AD into a scalable directory with C2 Identity
The modernization of directory services
Microsoft Active Directory (AD) is a critical component that is deeply embedded in IT infrastructures. Geared towards Windows domain networks, AD’s on-prem directory service provides device authentication and management options.
However, as modern businessses grow, so do their applications, services, device OS, resulting in complex IT ecosystems and device management. This not only makes it tough for IT administrators to manage IT on Active Directory alone, but it may also jeopardize the security of your business due to the inadequate means for directory and password management.
The limitations of Active Directory
Although AD makes it easy for IT to monitor devices and polices, the ever-changing IT industry has resulted in a number of complaints from IT departments.
To start off, with the increasing number of browser-accessed applications and services that require compatibility with cloud-based applications, such as Office 365 and Google Workspace, conventional directory services can’t do get the job done on their own.
It’s good to know that AD has got your Windows devices covered. But what happens when other operating systems, like macOS, are added to the picture? With the rise of remote offices and people using different devices, manual management of multiple applications is less practical, especially as your business continues to expand.
Securing employee authentication can also be frustrating for IT admins since it is one of the most basic yet crucial defenses against cybersecurity threats. Since passwords are often created by users themselves, it can be difficult for admins to make sure that they follow password standards, such as password complexity and length. If passwords are not handled properly, they can easily compromise a company’s data security.
Poor directory management, in general, due to lack of IT infrastructure flexibility and security might also result in cybersecurity risks and, in turn, increased administrative and maintenance costs.
All of these limitations can keep you from getting the most out of Active Directory. What you need is a solution that goes above and beyond to maximize the benefits of AD.
This is what makes the integration of AD with a cloud identity solution a great choice.
How cloud identity services can help
Cloud platforms are not only becoming more and more popular for IT administration, but they also now offer a wide range of diverse integration options. More specifically, cloud identity solutions can handle all of your needs both on-prem and online, no matter what applications or services your business uses. We’d like to introduce C2 Identity, a cloud identity solution that does it all.
C2 Identity is Synology’s cloud identity solution that makes it so you just need one identity for all of your corporate resources. C2 Identity supports user account provisioning and single sign-on (SSO) for SaaS applications, so you can conveniently streamline user and group account creation and authentication, while improving security at the same time.
Let’s take a look at some of C2 Identity’s main features:
- Native integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace allows you to enable SSO and auto account creation within just a few clicks.
- Support for SSO through SAML allows for customizable app integration, so you can add the exact applications that your organization needs.
- Cross-platform device management not only allows you to centrally manage Windows and macOS devices, but also allows for quick deployment and mass execution via custom scripts.
- A convenient self-service portal allows you to free up IT’s workload by letting users reset their own passwords, configure 2-factor authentication (2FA), and customize their profiles.
Filling in the gaps for AD
When it comes to the limitations of Windows Active Directory, C2 Identity fills in all the blanks. You can easily manage all of your users, groups, workstations, and SSO services across your entire organization from one central interface. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Once all of your Active Directory accounts have been synced to C2 Identity, IT administrators can easily manage and control access for each application via a centralized portal. And with support for both Windows and macOS devices, they can make sure that all of your organization’s devices are covered.
Your employees will also benefit from the adoption of a cloud identity solution. Users can not only use the same login credentials they used in AD on each application and device, but they can also change passwords on their own. That’s more convenient for them, and even more convenient for your IT department.
Optimize your directory environment with C2 Identity
C2 Identity delivers a complete identity and access management platform to support all your growing organization needs. Its authentication flexibility makes your directory environment convenient to manage for high directory management efficiency.
Access all of your services with a single identity! Visit us today to get the free plan or learn more about how to get the Business plan free for 30 days.
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Written in collaboration with Arden Lim.
