What is Microsoft Entra ID?

Let’s dive deep and understand What is Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft reveals a major announcement that Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is becoming Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft has introduced a transformative rebranding initiative that renames Azure AD to the all-new Microsoft Entra ID.

This is the next milestone in the Microsoft Entra product family. It aims to secure access for any identity to any app or resource in the cloud and on-premises. Microsoft is proud to unveil two new products. The first is Microsoft Entra Internet Access, a cutting-edge Secure Web Gateway that places identity at the heart of its operations, and it offers protection for internet browsing, shielding not only SaaS applications but also Microsoft 365 apps and resources from potential threats.

The second remarkable addition is Microsoft Entra Private Access, an identity-centric Zero Trust Network Access solution designed to ensure secure entry to private applications across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. These products form Microsoft’s Security Service Edge (SSE) solution, which offers seamless integration of identity and network access solutions and delivers flexible and agile options for organizations.
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Azure AD is becoming Microsoft Entra ID – What you need to know
Microsoft announced the renaming of Azure Active Directory to Microsoft Entra ID. The reason for the name change is that Microsoft wants to unifi the Microsoft Entra product family.

Microsoft introduced Entra in May of 2022. At that time it included three products, Azure AD, Microsoft Entra Permissions Management, and Microsoft Entra Verified ID. Microsoft Entra Governance and Microsoft Entra Workload ID were later added to the product family. Renaming Azure AD to Microsoft Entra ID is a logical step, to simplify the product naming.

In this article, we are going to take a look at the product names, and what you need to know.

What is Microsoft Entra
Microsoft Entra helps you protect all identities and secure network access everywhere. It starts with Microsoft Entra ID (former Azure AD) that manages and protects users, apps, workloads, and devices. Other products in the Entra Family are:
Microsoft Entra ID Governance – Protect, monitor, and audit access to critical assets
Microsoft Entra External ID – Provide your customers and partners with secure access to any app.
Microsoft Entra Verified ID – Issue and verify identity credentials based on open standards.
Microsoft Entra Permissions Management – Manage identity permissions across your multi-cloud infrastructure.
Microsoft Entra Workload ID – Help apps and services to securely access cloud resources.
Microsoft Entra Internet Access – Secure access to the internet, software as a service, and Microsoft 365 apps.
Microsoft Entra Private Access – Help users securely connect to private apps from anywhere.

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Hardware isolation at the physical server level. No other VMs will be placed on your hosts. Dedicated hosts are deployed in the same data centers and share the same network and underlying storage infrastructure as other, non-isolated hosts.

Control over support events initiated by the Azure platform. While the majority of support events have little to no impact on your virtual machines, there are some sensitive workloads where each second of pause can have an impact. With Azure Dedicated Hosts, you can opt into a support window to reduce the impact on your service.

Simplify the deployment of business-critical applications in a single-tenant environment. Increase control and scalability, without limiting your options. Deploy Windows, Linux, and SQL Server virtual machines on Azure. Select the server and CPU type, number of cores, and additional features. The underlying hosts you provision are single-tenant and dedicated to your Azure Backup VMs and workloads. You determine the timing of all platform-initiated maintenance operations, such as OS patching, or hardware or software restarts. Select Azure VM sizes and operating systems on the same host.

Comply with corporate policies and industry-specific standards by taking advantage of the certifications Azure offers. Place your Azure VMs on a dedicated hosting server that runs only your organization’s workloads to meet corporate compliance guidelines and standards. Get insights into the underlying cores to meet server-based software licensing requirements.

With the Azure Hybrid benefit, you can bring your own licenses for Windows and Migrate SQL Server to Azure. Using the hybrid benefits provides you with additional benefits.

Use your on-premises Windows Server and SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance benefits, or subscriptions with equivalent rights, when you migrate your workloads to a Dedicated Host. Azure hybrid benefit licensing terms are available only on Azure. You’ll also get free extended security updates for Windows Server and SQL Server 2008/2012 and 2008/2012 R2.

Apply your existing Windows Server Datacenter or SQL Server Enterprise edition licenses to the physical cores available to you on the host, utilize dual-use rights while migrating from on-premises, and get unlimited virtualization rights.

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With over 6,000 Microsoft service offerings, licensing gets confusing. It’s challenging to determine what features are needed, how many licenses are necessary, and if these components will be included in your price range. It gets even more challenging when evaluating the security of your infrastructure.

When migrating to an identity and access management service like Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), you’ll have to factor in the costs and capabilities of each tier Microsoft offers to ensure you’ve got the coverage you need at a price you can afford. To help you make the right choice, let’s look at the differences between Azure AD Premium P1 and Azure AD Premium P2 licensing.


Azure AD Premium P1 and P2 Features

Azure AD P1 vs P2 editions target enterprise-class environments that require advanced control capabilities. Learn more about the capabilities included in these licenses below:
Fraud Alert

Users can report fraud if they receive a two-step verification request that they didn’t initiate. In addition, users can submit fraud alerts, block users who register fraud, and enable a default code to report the scam over the phone.
MFA Reports

Administrators can view the date, time, region, authentication type, and many other items when generating an MFA request. This helps keep tabs on the overall environment.

For example, Dynamic Consultants Group’s headquarters is located in Kansas City. Knowing that employees generally work out of Missouri allows the administrator to see quickly when a suspicious request comes from overseas at an uncommon time of day. In addition to viewing information around MFA requests, filtering is also available to narrow down the search in the portal.

Custom Greetings for Phone Calls

With P1 and P2 licenses, administrators can create custom greetings for MFA options with phone calls. The employees will be familiar with the greeting and note the link between the organization and the MFA call.
Custom Caller ID for Phone Calls

This feature grants a user the ability to use a custom number when requesting an MFA Phone Call Code. In addition, users can verify the number and know it is coming from a secure source. Currently, this is only allowed with U.S. phone numbers.

Trusted IPs

Trusted IP addresses let employees do different items at specific locations, whether at the office, at home, or traveling abroad.

For example, you can bypass Microsoft 365 MFA requirements if you log in from the office. You can also block or require MFA when traveling to other countries. This would also help prevent foreign countries from attempting to access the tenant if that country’s IP is blocked from signing in.


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Microsoft recently announced a new addition to their software portfolio which can allow workers of the user organizations to experience a version of Windows 10 in the cloud platform. The application has the capability of mirroring the data, settings, and applications from the other Microsoft devices so that the user can experience the complete Windows environment on a corporate or personal device. This is the reason why this application is termed the Windows 365 Cloud PC.

ADVANTAGES OF SHIFTING TO WINDOWS 365 PC:
A revolutionary application such as the Windows 10 Cloud PC is expected to have quite a few advantages that can be derived by the user companies. These benefits can be categorized in the following manner:-

Remote Access
The concept of cloud computing is based on the theory of remote access. This implies that a user company would be able to operate its business through a device from any remote location. The same concept applies to the Cloud PC of Windows 365 but in fact, it is way better. One of the basic advantages of having a virtual PC implies that although the user needs a physical device to log in and use the PC, the device could be anything from a workstation in the office, to a laptop, or a tablet while traveling. This makes access to the cloud simple and hassle-free.

Easy for Hybrid workers
Within an organization, certain employees work in a hybrid pattern which implies that they sometimes work from home and other times work at the office. An on-premise PC would not be able to allow such workers the required advantage to pick up work right from where they left before. But one of the advantages of the Windows 365 Cloud PC lies in the fact that such team members can easily leave a certain file open on the workplace PC and log in and finish the work later on the Cloud PC.

Lowered costing in Hardware
While purchasing computers for on-premise organizational setup, the concerns of performance, memory, and storage need to be kept in mind. But, in the context of the Desktop in the Cloud, the users need a physical device only to log in to their virtual PC which saves a lot of hardware costs. In addition to this, the cloud environment of the Windows 365 cloud PC can be scaled according to the needs of the employer and the user pays for whatever is used and not more than that.

Improved security
In the process of working with a team situated at a remote location, the organizations might face tricky issues related to Windows 365 devise security. In addition to this, the type of antivirus used by the members cannot be known for sure. While working with a virtual PC, the user organization stays in control of the device environment. Along with this, the process of automating updates and enforcing security policies becomes hassle-free for the organization even when the employees work in remote locations. This security feature enables the user company to allow their employees to work from their devices as the risk of data leakage minimizes to a great extent.

Simplicity in usage
The Windows 365 Cloud PC is inclusive of certain features like easy management and instant start-up which gives the users the ability to work traditionally without the need for prior virtual work experience. In addition to this, the IT department of the company can continue to manage, deploy and configure the PC environment in the same way as done before.

Scalability
The Cloud PC allows the user company to configure the size, CPU, and RAM of the PC within the cloud environment according to the changing needs. This virtualizes the sessions on servers. The scalability feature is also an indirect benefit for the organizations as they do not require to worry about space and storage in the PC.

To know more about Daas Cloud visit CoudDesktopOnline.

Desktop as a service (not to be confused with data as a service, which sometimes also lays claim to the DaaS acronym) refers to cloud services that host virtual instances of a desktop operating system that users can access remotely. Leading options include Amazon WorkSpaces, Azure Windows Virtual Desktop, and Citrix Managed Desktops.

Most desktop-in-the-cloud services provide access to Windows desktop environments, although Amazon WorkSpaces offers a Linux option, as well.

In a way, Desktop as Service is a variant of the relatively old concept of thin clients, a model that involves using central servers to host some or all of the resources required to run desktop environments on PCs. In conventional thin client setups, those resources are hosted on a local server and delivered over a local network. In DaaS, they move to the public cloud and are consumed via the Internet.

Benefits of DaaS Today

Because it comes with the reliability and universal-accessibility promises of the public cloud, DaaS has been hailed in the past as having the potential to kill traditional PCs and finally bring thin client architectures mainstream.

That hasn’t happened, obviously. Traditional PCs are alive and well--I’m using one right now, and perhaps you are, too.

Nonetheless, part of me wishes I had a Cloud Hosted Virtual Desktop solution available to me, particularly in the uncertain times in which we now live. DaaS offers a range of attractive advantages in an age when unforeseen disasters have wreaked massive havoc on IT infrastructures. Those DaaS benefits include:

- The ability to access the same desktop environment from anywhere with an Internet connection.
- The assurance that user data will always be stored safely in the cloud, and will therefore remain accessible even if users’ local devices are not.
- No need to worry about setting up VPNs, RDP servers, and other special infrastructure to enable remote access to workstations running inside a building that you can’t physically access. Instead, you just host it in the cloud and consume it over the Internet.
- The ability to troubleshoot desktop issues remotely, instead of having to go on-site to provide user support.
- A simple, centralized process for shutting down desktop environments or spinning up new ones as employees come and go.
- Less dependence on supply chains to deliver the physical hardware necessary to keep desktop infrastructure. You don’t have to worry as much about acquiring a workstation for every new employee, replacing failed hard drives, and so on.


That is because DaaS still suffers from some key disadvantages:

1. You need a network connection (and a fast one).

Having a virtual workstation available from anywhere with an internet connection is great only so long as you have an internet connection--specifically, one that offers enough bandwidth and responsiveness to support a seamless remote desktop experience.

This is one reason why a Desktop in the Cloud solution may not be perfect for all work-from-home scenarios. Not all employees have reliable and fast home internet connections at their disposal.

2. You need a device.

Although DaaS allows workstation applications and data to be Hosted in the Cloud, users still need some kind of device to connect from. Ideally, that device will provide a large screen and traditional input devices so that it can emulate the conventional desktop. Mobile devices don’t really work well as endpoints for accessing a DaaS service.

This means that businesses must still ensure that employees have access to a laptop or desktop if they use the Cloud Hosted Desktop. By extension, they must handle the security and maintenance responsibilities that come with offering this hardware.

But all these drawbacks are covered in benefits.

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The virtual desktop infrastructure uses virtual machines to deliver Virtual Hosted desktops to a variety of connected devices and is implemented in two primary ways: persistent and non-persistent.

With a persistent virtual desktop, each user has a unique desktop image dedicated to them that they can customize with apps and data. All applications and files are stored across reboots and the user’s settings are preserved and appear at each login. This consistency provides a similar experience to a physical PC environment, which eases user adoption and is well-suited to power users. Individual customized virtual desktops require different lifecycle management considerations for storage and software updates compared with non-persistent virtual desktops.

With a non-persistent virtual desktop infrastructure, users can access a virtual desktop from an identical pool of available desktops. Non-persistent virtual desktops are clones of a shared golden desktop image where users receive a fresh instance every time they log in. Non-persistent virtual desktops are personalized through user profiles, scripts, or special software. Any customizations that users make within their sessions, such as installing apps, are discarded. Less storage is required, as user configuration settings and data are stored separately, and once the user logs out of their session, the virtual machine reverts back to its base image state ready to accept connections from another user. Non-persistent desktops are easier for administrators to manage because the underlying image remains consistent. For this reason, non-persistent desktops are often more popular than persistent desktops.

In VDI, the creation of multiple virtual machines from a single physical machine is handled by a software called a hypervisor in on-premises environments. The hypervisor provides server operating system isolation, intercepting the commands sent to the underlying hardware. It enables multiple operating system instances through the use of virtual machines (VMs), all sharing a single hardware platform. Within public clouds, the hypervisor and underlying infrastructure are abstracted, and administrators work directly with the virtual machines and cloud-native actions and APIs.

Because virtual machines perform just like physical machines while relying on the resources of only one computer system, virtualization allows IT organizations to run multiple operating systems on a single server or within a single public cloud account, from Microsoft Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019 to Linux and FreeBSD. The hypervisor or public cloud allocates computing resources—such as CPU, RAM, and disk space—to each Azure Virtual Machine as needed. This server virtualization serves as the foundation of cloud computing.
To know more about Windows 10 cloud PC visit CloudDesktopOnline.

Below is the list of benefits of DaaS
Improved Accessibility
When Desktop-as-a-Service is utilized as the desktop management strategy for a business, employees realize much better accessibility. The reason is DaaS can be accessed from any device that can connect to an internet connection. Meaning regardless of the device or operating system (Android, iOS, phone, tablet, desktop or laptop computer) the employee can access their desktop.

Increased Productivity
Building on the benefit of the improvement in the employee’s ability to access their work product, businesses who utilize DaaS realize increased productivity and the ability to meet operational goals ahead of time. The reason this is possible is that employees can access their work product regardless of their location. All they need is an internet connection and a device capable of using that connection. Problem solved. Now, your employee can log in from home, at the doctor’s office, or on the train for the morning commute, enabling them to engage with their coworkers and move projects forward without interruption.

Lower Operating Costs
Lower costs drive many marketing campaigns for a wide range of new technologies fighting for limited budgets, but when it comes to DaaS, cost savings are not just a buzzword. The reality is that Desktop as a Service does save businesses money. Ways that the technology accomplishes this is by reducing CapEx, rent, and utilities for businesses that utilize the technology. Companies using DaaS can quickly implement BYOD strategies, enabling employees to use the technology of their choice and removing the line item from a business's budget. Additionally, since DaaS works through cloud technologies, businesses can save money on rent and utilities as they no longer need the server closet to house corporate data.

Greater Agility & Responsiveness
When employees are not tied to a physical laptop or desktop, they are much better equipped to respond quickly to customer requests and industry demands, enhancing the overall corporate agility and responsiveness to the fast-changing business environment.

Enhanced Security
Keeping up with cyber hackers and other malicious sources is a full-time job, and it’s no wonder why businesses choose to employ strict desktop management strategies that maintain full control over an employee's desktop and access to their data. DaaS can help companies to solve this challenge by removing the burden of keeping up with cyber attacks. Providers spend a lot of time and money recruiting the highest qualified cybersecurity experts. After all, their reputation is on the line as much as yours is.

Higher Workstation Lifetime Value
The typical lifecycle of a physical computer and tech device is three years, with an average cost to maintain that device of almost $500. But how would that cost change if the device lasted much longer than the anticipated 3 years? With DaaS, it can, since the wear and tear on the physical devices is reduced and the processing requirements are now on the DaaS provider's server. Because of this, the hardware of the physical laptop or desktop will last longer, giving you more years of service before the unit would need to be replaced.

To know more about Citrix Receiver or Windows Cloud PC visit CloudDesktopOnline.

What is cloud-based software?
The defining feature of cloud-based software is that you can access it over the internet instead of locally on your computer.

Cloud software and apps run on secure servers that are located in data centers all over the world. With the right login credentials, you can access your data on cloud-based software and apps on any device, from anywhere with an internet connection. You can run it on your web browser - like Chrome, Safari or Firefox.

The benefits of cloud accounting software
There are many benefits to using cloud accounting software like QuickBooks Cloud Accounting, and in the long run, it really is the only way to go for UK businesses. Here’s why.

1. It helps you comply with Making Tax Digital
When you use HMRC-recognised cloud accounting software, you have the right bookkeeping tools in place to comply with the government’s tax regulations in the long run. With
Making Tax Digital, the UK government is on a mission to create one of the world’s most advanced digital tax systems and in order to reach that goal, more and more UK businesses are required to keep digital records and submit their tax returns using HMRC-recognised cloud accounting software. At the moment, Making Tax Digital rules only apply to VAT-registered businesses, but in the coming years, businesses who pay Self Assessment Income Tax and Corporation Tax will need to digitise their bookkeeping practices too.

2. It’s cheaper than you might think
Using cloud accounting software is more cost-effective than you might think. Whereas desktop-based software is expensive and requires a time-consuming setup, cloud-based accounting software is available at an affordable monthly fee. Once you’ve created your account, your digital bookkeeping system can be up and running within an hour. What’s more, thanks to all of its benefits, cloud accounting software pays for itself in terms of time saved. And why would you spend more time on accounting if you can spend it on running your business instead?

3. It saves you time with automated features
When compared to traditional accounting software or spreadsheets, cloud accounting software comes with more automation features. With QuickBooks Online, for example, you can automatically import your bank feed, reconcile your transactions, organise your business expenses, set up recurring invoices and check your VAT returns for errors. If you have employees, you can choose to add Payroll features that automate pension submissions, pay slips and pay runs and update tax codes automatically. When HMRC changes its rules and legislations, you can rest assured that your cloud accounting software automatically updates to help you with compliance.

4. It’s easy to use for business owners
Cloud accounting software, in general, is designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly than traditional accounting software. Even if you’re not a finance professional, you’ll find it easy to understand the dashboards that give you a top-level overview of where your business is at and what’s ahead. Don’t be fooled by this simplicity, however. Cloud accounting software like QuickBooks actually has advanced features and functionality in place that accommodate advanced accounting and the creation of detailed reports.


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