Integrating Centrify with Azure: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

In today’s digital landscape, seamless integration between identity and access management (IAM) solutions is crucial for robust security and efficient management. For organizations leveraging Centrify (now part of Delinea) and Microsoft Azure, integrating these platforms can provide a unified approach to identity management, enhance security, and simplify administrative tasks.

What is Centrify?

Centrify, a leading provider of identity-centric security solutions, specializes in protecting against cyber threats by securing identities, privileged accounts, and endpoints. Their platform helps organizations enforce least-privilege access and secure access to critical systems.

What is Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service that offers a wide range of cloud services, including those for computing, analytics, storage, and networking. Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is Microsoft’s cloud-based identity and access management service that helps employees sign in and access resources.

Why Integrate Centrify with Azure?

Integrating Centrify with Azure AD offers several benefits:

1. Unified Identity Management: Synchronize and manage user identities across on-premises and cloud environments from a single interface.
2. Enhanced Security: Leverage Azure’s security features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in conjunction with Centrify’s advanced security controls.
3. Simplified Access Control: Streamline access to cloud applications and resources, ensuring users have appropriate access based on their roles.
4. Centralized Administration: Reduce administrative overhead by managing identities and access policies in a unified manner.

Step-by-Step Integration Guide

Pre-Requisites

Before starting the integration process, ensure you have the following:

• Administrative access to both Centrify and Azure AD.
• An understanding of your organization’s existing user and security policies.
• Centrify and Azure subscriptions that are active and properly configured

Step 1 – Prepare Azure AD for Integration

1. Create a New Application in Azure AD:
   • Navigate to the Azure portal and go to Azure Active Directory.
   • Select “App registrations” and click “New registration.”
   • Provide a name for the application (e.g., “Centrify Integration”).
   • Set the supported account types according to your needs.
   • Configure the redirect URI (optional but recommended for single sign-on).
2. Configure API Permissions:
   • After registration, go to “API permissions.”
   • Add required permissions for the Centrify application (such as user.read, directory.read.all).
3. Generate Client Secret:
   • Go to “Certificates & secrets” and create a new client secret.
   • Copy the client secret value as you will need it for the Centrify configuration.

Step 2 – Configure Centrify for Azure AD Integration

1. Log in to Centrify Admin Portal:
   • Access the Centrify Admin Portal and navigate to the “Identity Providers” section.
2. Add Azure AD as an Identity Provider:
   • Choose to add a new identity provider and select Azure AD.
   • Enter the necessary details such as Client ID, Client Secret, and Tenant ID (from Azure AD).
   • Configure the authentication settings as required (e.g., scopes, redirect URIs).
3. Map User Attributes and Roles:
   • Define how user attributes from Azure AD will be mapped to Centrify.
   • Configure role assignments and permissions in Centrify based on Azure AD groups or roles.

Step 3 – Test and Validate Integration

1. Test User Authentication:
   • Try logging in to Centrify using Azure AD credentials to ensure that authentication works as expected.
   • Verify that user attributes and roles are correctly mapped.
2. Check Access and Permissions:
   • Confirm that users have appropriate access to applications and resources based on their Azure AD roles and Centrify policies.
3. Monitor and Troubleshoot:
   • Use Centrify and Azure AD logs to monitor the integration.
   • Address any issues related to authentication, attribute mapping, or access control.

Step 4 – Ongoing Management and Best Practices

1. Regular Updates:
   • Keep both Centrify and Azure AD configurations up-to-date with any changes in your organization’s policies or infrastructure.
2. Review and Audit:
   • Regularly review access logs and audit trails to ensure compliance with security policies.
3. Training and Support:
   • Provide training for administrators on managing the integration and addressing common issues.

Conclusion

Integrating Centrify with Azure AD can significantly enhance your organization’s security posture and streamline identity management processes. By following the steps outlined above, you can achieve a seamless integration that leverages the strengths of both platforms, providing a secure and efficient solution for managing identities and access.

For more specific details, always refer to the official documentation provided by Centrify and Microsoft Azure, as integration processes and features may evolve over time.

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