Delegated Administration in Entra ID: Empower Without Losing Control
- CompleteMSP Team
- Jun 5
- 1 min read
As organizations scale, centralized IT teams can become overwhelmed with identity-related tasks. Delegated administration in Microsoft Entra ID allows you to distribute responsibilities while maintaining security and oversight.
Delegation Models in Entra ID
1. Administrative Units (AUs)
AUs let you segment your directory into logical units—like departments, regions, or subsidiaries. You can then assign scoped administrators who can manage only the users and groups within their AU.
Example:
A regional IT manager in Europe can reset passwords and manage groups for European users, but not for users in North America.
2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Entra ID includes a wide range of built-in roles (e.g., User Administrator, Groups Administrator, Helpdesk Administrator). You can assign these roles at the tenant level or scope them to specific AUs or resources.
3. Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
PIM adds an extra layer of security by enabling just-in-time (JIT) access to privileged roles. Admins must request access, which can require approval and is time-limited. All activity is logged for auditing.
Benefits of Delegated Administration
Scalability: Local teams can handle routine tasks without waiting on central IT.
Security: Least-privilege access reduces the risk of accidental or malicious changes.
Compliance: Role assignments and activity logs support audit and governance requirements.
Best Practices
Use AUs to align with your org structure.
Assign roles based on the principle of least privilege.
Monitor and review role assignments regularly using PIM.
Need Help?
Our Microsoft specialists at CompleteMSP can assist you in making the right choice for your identity needs.
📞 Contact us today:
- Phone: 256-684-8083
- Email: info@completemsp.com
