What More Do I Get With Azure AD Premium Plans?

Azure AD is one of the most comprehensive identity and access management (IAM) solutions specifically designed for cloud-based use. As a multi-tenant solution, Azure AD is implemented for millions of users and devices using the vast capabilities of Microsoft Online business solutions. Today, it is one of the most important components of Microsoft’s first line of defense against the increasingly common cyberattacks on devices, applications, and services using the internet. If the Free Edition of Azure AD is powerful, the Premium versions enhance the security and identity management capabilities by several notches. If you are wondering, what more do I get with Azure AD Premium plans, hopefully, you will find the answer to that question by the end of this blog.

What Does Azure AD Include?

Regardless of the plan, Azure AD being a universal identity and access management solution provides Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) capabilities for simplifying access to applications while ensuring protection against threats. It simplifies user provisioning and automates workflows so that on-premise and remote employees can collaborate seamlessly. Using a single set of credentials, users can access thousands of pre-integrated applications that are delivered by Microsoft and other vendors that are deployed using the software as a service (SaaS) model. Admins have greater control over the organization’s resource usage with simplified user identity and access management. Besides, it also enables conditional access to organizational resources to extra-organizational stakeholders like vendors, partners, and customers.

What Are The Azure AD Plans Available?

Azure AD Plans are available in four editions.

Azure AD Free

This plan is by default a part of Microsoft commercial online services like Azure, Dynamics 365, Intune, and Power Platform. It includes the core identity and access management features like SSO, MFA, and basic usage reports.

Azure AD Office 365 Apps

This plan includes all the features of the Free edition including the core identity and access management features. Additionally, it has the extra identity and access management features for Office 365 applications like self-service password reset for cloud applications, login and logout page customization, and two-way directory synchronization.

Azure AD Premium P1 and P2 Plans

Premium plans are enterprise-level solutions that have advanced tools for enhanced security and better resource management. We will look into their features in greater detail in the next section.

What Are The Benefits Of Azure AD Premium Plans?

Unlike the Free edition and Office 365 Apps editions which are available with their corresponding application or service subscriptions, Azure AD Premium plans have to be procured and implemented across enterprises for enforcing better security across cloud, on-premises, or hybrid deployments and configured appropriately for resource management. The implementation of Azure AD Premium plans brings with it the benefits of advanced password protection and administration features, hybrid identity management for cloud and on-premises application user access, and dynamic group administration capabilities. More importantly, admins can access advanced security and usage reports.

In addition to the features available with the Office 356 Apps Plan, Azure AD Premium P1 includes important tools like Microsoft Cloud Apps Discovery, Azure AD Join, Microsoft Identity Manager, Connect Health, and Application Proxy.

The top-of-the-line Azure AD Premium P2 plan has two important inclusions to the veritable list of features of the Azure AD Premium P1 plan namely Identity Protection and Governance features and Privileged Identity Management (PIM).

Identity Protection involves information gathering on trends and events that could indicate vulnerabilities and framing Conditional Access policies for accounts that might be prone to risks.

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a service that requires individuals with certain roles to seek time-based and approval-based authorizations for accessing classified resources.

Implementing Azure AD Premium Plans

At a time when businesses are transitioning from on-premises to cloud infrastructure, centralizing identity, and managing shared resources efficiently is of paramount importance. Opting for Azure AD Premium plans is a step in the right direction for such enterprises. As a Microsoft Partner, you can purchase an Azure AD Services or Plans from Apps4Rent through the Cloud Solution Providers program at promotional prices. Our consultants provide 24/7 support for Azure via phone, chat, and email. Contact us today.