Integrating Amazon Web Services (AWS) with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) can streamline your access management process, offering a unified login experience across multiple platforms. Whether you use Office 365, log into domain machines, or access virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), Azure AD allows you to leverage the same credentials to log into your AWS environment. In this video, we will explore how to integrate AWS with Azure AD, unlocking the benefits of a unified login and enhanced security through conditional access policies.
To establish the integration between Azure AD and AWS, we will utilise Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), a widely adopted protocol for identity federation. SAML involves two key components: the service provider (AWS) and the identity provider (Azure AD). Configuring the integration requires a series of steps that we will walk you through.
First, we will access the AWS portal and navigate to AWS SSO (Single Sign-On). Enabling this feature provides us with access to a range of settings and options. Within the settings, we will locate the identity source and change it from the default Identity Provider Directory to an external identity provider. In this case, we will select Azure AD as our external identity provider. To establish the connection, we need to download the metadata files for both the service provider (AWS) and the identity provider (Azure AD).
Next, we will move to the Azure portal, specifically the Azure Active Directory section. Within the Enterprise applications tab, we will create a new application for AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management). This application will serve as the bridge between Azure AD and AWS. We will provide the metadata file downloaded from AWS, which will establish the necessary connection.
After configuring the SAML settings, we will download the identity provider metadata XML file from Azure AD. Returning to the AWS portal, we will upload this file to complete the integration process. It is crucial to ensure that automatic provisioning is enabled, allowing for the replication of users from Azure AD to AWS.
To enable access for specific users, we will assign them into the Azure AD portal. While adding groups may require specific licensing, individual users can be assigned without any additional requirements. Once the users are assigned, we need to initiate the provisioning process in the AWS portal, which will replicate the users from Azure AD to AWS. This replication may take some time, but there is an option to sync users immediately if needed.
With the integration successfully established, users can now log into AWS using their Azure AD credentials. Access to AWS resources, such as EC2 instances and VPCs, can be managed based on the assigned roles and permissions within Azure AD. This seamless authentication process eliminates the need for multiple credentials and enhances security by leveraging conditional access policies offered by Azure AD.
By implementing Azure AD as the identity provider for AWS, organisations can simplify access management and maintain a unified identity across different platforms. The ability to use Azure AD’s conditional access policies adds an extra layer of security, ensuring the protection of your infrastructure.
Watch the full video to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to integrate Azure AD with AWS and streamline your access management process.