Evaluate The Option Of Adding Active Directory To The Compan

Evaluate the option of adding Active Directory to the company’s network

Assume you are an entry-level security administrator working for Always Fresh. You have been asked to evaluate the option of adding Active Directory to the company’s network. Tasks Create a summary report to management that answers the following questions to satisfy the key points of interest regarding the addition of Active Directory to the network: 1. System administrators currently create users on each computer where users need access. In Active Directory, where will system administrators create users? 2. How will the procedures for making changes to the user accounts, such as password changes, be different in Active Directory? 3. What action should administrators take for the existing workgroup user accounts after converting to Active Directory? 4. How will the administrators resolve differences between user accounts defined on different computers? In other words, if user accounts have different settings on different computers, how will Active Directory address that issue? (Hint: Consider security identifiers [SIDs].)

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of Active Directory (AD) into an organizational network signifies a transformative approach to managing user accounts and resource access, replacing the traditional method of creating users locally on each individual computer. This transition enhances security, streamlines administrative tasks, and promotes consistency across the network environment.

Firstly, system administrators will create user accounts centrally within the Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) management console. Unlike traditional setups where users are manually added on each workstation, AD allows administrators to establish a single user account that propagates across all computers within the domain. This centralization ensures that user credentials and permissions are uniform and easier to manage, effectively reducing administrative overhead and the risk of discrepancies.

Secondly, procedures for modifying user accounts in Active Directory differ significantly from local account management. Changes such as password updates, account lockouts, or permission modifications are performed within the AD environment. When an administrator updates a password or alters account settings here, the changes automatically apply to all computers within the domain where the user has access. This method eliminates the need to manually modify the same information across multiple devices, ensuring consistency and enhancing security by enabling administrators to enforce password policies and other security measures uniformly.

Thirdly, regarding existing workgroup user accounts, administrators should migrate these accounts into Active Directory. This process involves creating new user profiles within AD that mirror the essential attributes of the original accounts. Often, this involves mapping existing permissions and access rights where applicable. During this transition, it is crucial to ensure that user profiles, permissions, and data are preserved or appropriately adjusted to prevent access issues. This step ensures seamless integration, allowing users to authenticate via AD without disrupting their workflows.

Fourth, resolving differences between user accounts defined on different computers hinges upon understanding and managing Security Identifiers (SIDs). Each user account in Windows, whether local or domain-based, has a unique SID. When transitioning to AD, domain administrators can synchronize user accounts to ensure that each user is associated with a consistent SID across the network. If discrepancies arise—for instance, if a user's account has different settings or permissions on various computers—these issues are addressed by consolidating account information within AD. This centralization allows for uniform security policies, access rights, and account details, effectively resolving conflicts that stem from locally stored account configurations. Moreover, Group Policy Objects (GPOs) play a vital role in enforcing standard security settings across all domain-joined computers, thus maintaining consistency.

Implementing Active Directory not only simplifies user management but also enhances the security posture of the organization by enabling centralized control and policy enforcement. The shift from local user creation to a domain-based approach supports scalability, security, and efficient management, crucial for organizational growth and security compliance.

References

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