Entra ID

What is Entra ID?

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly known as Azure Active Directory / Azure AD) is Microsoft’s cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution. It allows organizations to manage and secure user identities, control access to resources, and enforce authentication policies across Microsoft 365, Azure, and thousands of third-party applications.

Entra ID is the backbone of identity for all Microsoft 365 services, providing secure sign-in, conditional access, and directory services to users and devices in your organization.

Why Use Entra ID?

Entra ID plays a critical role in enabling secure access and productivity in modern workplaces. Here’s why it’s essential:

• Single Sign-On (SSO): Sign in once to access all integrated apps and services.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce strong security by requiring additional verification.
• Conditional Access: Grant or block access based on user risk, location, or device health.
• Centralized Identity Management: Easily manage users, groups, roles, and permissions from one place.
• Seamless Integration: Works across Microsoft 365, Azure, and over 5,000 SaaS applications.

Whether you're managing a small business or a global enterprise, Entra ID is your foundation for identity security and compliance.

Is Entra ID Free?

Yes, Microsoft Entra ID offers a free tier, with optional paid plans for advanced features:

Plan	Features
✅ Free	Basic identity management, user/group management, and SSO for up to 10 apps
✅ Microsoft 365 Plans	Entra ID P1 is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3, A3
🔐 Premium P1	Conditional Access, dynamic groups, self-service password reset
🔐 Premium P2	Identity Protection, Privileged Identity Management (PIM), risk-based conditional access

Many Entra features are bundled with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, eliminating the need for separate licensing.

Key Features of Entra ID

Feature	Description
Single Sign-On (SSO)	Seamless sign-in across Microsoft 365 and integrated apps
Conditional Access	Enforce access policies based on user behavior and risk
Multi-Factor Authentication	Add an extra layer of security for account sign-ins
User & Group Management	Centralized control of identities and access levels
Privileged Identity Management (PIM)	Control and monitor access to critical resources (P2 only)
Identity Protection	Detect and respond to identity-based threats (P2 only)
Self-Service Capabilities	Let users reset passwords, manage groups, and update profiles
Audit Logs & Sign-in Reports	Monitor user activity and detect anomalies
B2B & B2C Access	Collaborate securely with external users or customers

How to Access Entra ID in Microsoft 365?

1. From Microsoft 365 Admin Center
1. Go to https://admin.microsoft.com
2. Sign in with your global admin or identity administrator account
3. In the left pane, click on “Identity” or search for “Entra ID”
4. This opens the Microsoft Entra admin portal where you can manage users, groups, roles, and policies
2. Direct Link Access

You can directly open the Microsoft Entra portal at:

🔗 https://entra.microsoft.com

This provides full access to all identity-related settings, including conditional access, PIM, enterprise apps, audit logs, and security alerts.

Summary

Key Point	Details
Product Name	Microsoft Entra ID
Purpose	Cloud-based identity and access management for Microsoft 365 and beyond
Included In	Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3/E5, A3/A5; additional licensing available for P1/P2 features
Free to Use?	Yes, core features are free; advanced features require Premium P1/P2 licenses
Access Method	admin.microsoft.com (via 365 Admin Center), entra.microsoft.com (direct portal)
Integrates With	Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Microsoft Graph, Exchange, Defender, third-party SaaS apps