Integrating Applications with Azure Active Directory
This section provides comprehensive guidance on integrating your applications with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). Azure AD acts as your identity and access management solution, enabling secure and seamless access for your users to a wide range of cloud and on-premises applications.
By integrating applications with Azure AD, you can leverage features such as:
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Allow users to sign in once to access multiple applications.
- Centralized User Management: Manage user identities and access policies from a single console.
- Enhanced Security: Implement robust security controls, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and conditional access policies.
- Automated Provisioning: Streamline user account creation and management in integrated applications.
Key Concepts in Application Integration
Application Registration
Before you can integrate an application, you need to register it with Azure AD. This process involves providing metadata about your application, such as its name, redirect URIs, and the types of accounts it supports. Registration creates an identity for your application within your Azure AD tenant.
Learn more about how to register an application.
Authentication and Authorization
Azure AD uses standard protocols like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC) to enable secure authentication and authorization for your applications. Understanding these protocols is crucial for a successful integration.
Single Sign-On (SSO)
SSO allows users to sign in to Azure AD once and gain access to multiple applications without needing to re-enter their credentials. Azure AD supports several SSO methods:
- SAML-based SSO: Ideal for enterprise applications.
- OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect SSO: Commonly used for modern web and mobile applications.
- Password-based SSO: For applications that do not support modern authentication protocols.
Explore the different SSO options available.
API Permissions
Many applications interact with other services or APIs. Azure AD allows you to define the permissions your application needs to access these APIs securely, ensuring that it only has access to the resources it requires.
Understand how to manage API permissions.
Getting Started with Application Integration
To begin integrating your application, the first step is to register it in your Azure AD tenant. This process is straightforward and can be completed through the Azure portal.
Application Types
Azure AD supports the integration of various application types:
- SaaS Applications: Cloud-based applications like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Workday.
- Custom Applications: Applications that you develop in-house.
- Web Applications: Applications accessed via a web browser.
- Mobile Applications: Applications designed for mobile devices.
- Desktop Applications: Applications installed on user desktops.
Important Considerations for Integration
When integrating applications, always prioritize security. Ensure that your redirect URIs are correctly configured, use secure authentication flows, and grant only the necessary permissions to your application.