IAM glossary
Active Directory
Also known as: AD / AD DS
Active Directory
Active Directory Domain Services is the on-premises directory that authenticates and authorizes users and computers in a Windows domain. It stores accounts, groups, and policies, and is typically still the authority for on-prem resources even in cloud-first organizations.
Why it matters
AD remains the backbone of enterprise access and a prime attacker target. A healthy, well-architected AD is the foundation for a secure hybrid identity environment.
Related terms
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