Active Directory started with Windows Server due to the convenience of using the same password to perform several activities in a company, such as authenticating on a computer, accessing a system, and opening an email.

In its database, one can store information about domains, organizational units, trust relationships, computer accounts, users, groups, group members, and passwords, among other objects.

This solution brings several other benefits, such as the centralization of security features, the use of a single management point for resources, and the simplification of the search for the desired resource.

In this article, we explain the concept of Active Directory and unravel its advantages, among other countless information. To facilitate your reading, we divided our text into topics:

• What is Active Directory?
• What Is the Importance of Active Directory?
• Benefits of Active Directory
• Active Directory in Practice
• How Active Directory Is Structured
• Functioning of AD in Two Perspectives
• About senhasegura
• Conclusion

Follow our text to the end!

• What is Active Directory?

It is a database and set of services performed on Microsoft Windows Server, whose main purpose is to enable the management of permissions and the control of access to network resources. 

Through this solution, one can store data as objects, including users, groups, applications, and devices, categorizing them according to their names and characteristics.

• What Is the Importance of Active Directory?

Active Directory is important in many ways. It consists of a directory service that makes it possible to store data about networked objects, making this information available to administrators and users. Also, it is a Microsoft software used in Windows.

It was developed to organize the search for required information in daily activities and centralize this data, and its advantages are availability, security, and performance. In addition, an Active Directory can have multiple domains with different administrators and security policies. That is, administrators do not need to have access to all domains.

In Active Directory:

• Each user can have only one name to access network resources. Their accounts are stored in the AD database;
• Users need to log on once to access any network environment;
• Domains can grow unlimitedly without changing the form of administration;
• Active Directory-based domains enable centralized management. Data related to accounts, groups, and network resources can be managed in a single environment. 
• If a company needs to have a single location, Active Directory allows users to have access to all network resources with a single password. 

• Benefits of Active Directory

Active Directory provides several benefits for users, and we can highlight some of them:

• Centralization of Security Features

In a single location, one can manage and protect network resources and related security objects. A company can manage AD based on a business model, organizational model, or the types of roles it manages.

This is the case for organizations that manage Active Directory by dividing their users according to the departments in which they work, the physical place where they work, or a combination of both.

Active Directory allows one to manage the security of all network resources and extend interoperability with multiple applications and devices. When this feature is implemented and protected in the right way, it makes it possible to implement a company’s policy and procedures involving cybersecurity, resources, and network services in a detailed manner.

• Single Management Point for Resources

In AD, network resources are accessed from a single management point. This is because a single logon is used to gain access to network resources located on all servers within the domain.

In practice, the user is identified only once. After that, they connect to access network resources, depending on their roles and permissions. 

• It Simplifies the Task of Finding the Desired Resource

Active Directory simplifies the task of finding the desired resource as it allows publishing files and print resources to the network. Publishing an object enables network resources to be securely accessed for search in the AC database.

To do this search, the name, location, or description of the object can be used. If you want to search for a shared folder, for example, just use the network in Windows 10 or Microsoft Windows Server 2012 and click the search button.

You can configure the search scope without using the shared folder name and keyword as requirements. 

For more specific results, just provide more information. For example, if you set up the same keyword in multiple folders, a search for the keyword will return many results, which will make it more difficult to find the folder you are looking for.

Suppose you have access to a network with dozens of servers, in which each one has several resources required to perform your activities. In this case, it would be difficult to identify which server provides each resource.

This task can become even more difficult when you have mobile users, who need to locate devices from somewhere else.

• Trust Relationships Between Various Domains

AD makes it possible to establish efficient management of trust relationships between several domains. That is, a trust relationship can be established between two websites. In this way, one can use the features on both websites with a single username and password.

• Improved Scalability

Through the concept of organizational units (OUs), Active Directory makes it possible to improve scalability in large companies. An OU consists of a collection of users and computers. 

An organization with large domains can organize them into OUs. For example, a company has a large department that has an administrator managing the domain. In this case, one can create an OU to which all user accounts and computers related to that department can be moved.

• Multi-Master Replication

This concept is another advantage of an Active Directory environment. In an AD multi-master replication environment, each domain controller contains a copy of the directory. 

When a change is made to AD, the nearest controller will be updated. Other domain controllers in the environment will also update. 

That goes for websites, too. Each website has its domain controller, that is, when a user of a website updates Active Directory, the changes are reflected in it. 

• Active Directory in Practice

Active Directory consists of an administrator network of the logins responsible for releasing access to resources. Through it, users can access one or several rooms, depending on their needs, with a single login and password, eliminating the need to create numerous accesses. 

It works as a free protocol used to manage information from distributed directories over an IP network, which enables users to access network resources by performing a single logon.

It is organized with the use of domains through a hierarchy, with an administration that is based on the tree and forest concepts, which supports the organization of the domain structure and eliminates the need for individual visits to desktops.

In this context, each domain is equivalent to a maximum administrative unit within the network. The forest would be the “set of trees”, which we cover in more detail in the next topic.

• How Active Directory Is Structured

Active Directory has the function of storing data about network users and resources in a structure formed by domains, trees, and forests.

When we talk about a domain, we refer to a collection of objects, such as users and devices, that share the AD database. 

A tree, on the other hand, is a collection of domains with a contiguous namespace, which have a common DNS root name.

A forest, in turn, refers to a collection of trees that share the same scheme, global catalog, and directory configuration, without being part of a contiguous namespace. It works as a security limit on a corporate network.

Within a domain, objects can be grouped into organizational units (OUs), which enables administrators to create organizational units that allow them to mirror business, functional, or geographic structures and apply group policies that simplify management. 

• Functioning of AD in Two Perspectives

The AD operation can be understood through two perspectives: the technical and the user one. Here’s how they differ:

• Technical Perspective

Generally, data stored in Active Directory encompasses user contact, printer queue, and desktop or network configuration information.

The Active Directory Data Store contains directory data, such as information about users, groups, computers, objects that these users can access, other objects, and network components, allowing full access administration.

Directories are still used to manage software packages, files, and user accounts. The administrator uses the AD tree and forest concepts, which do not require individual visits to desktops.

• User Perspective

With AD, users can access available resources on the network by logging on once to the local network environment.

When the user enters their login and password, Active Directory confirms the validity of the information to grant authentication. As already mentioned, AD is organized hierarchically through the use of domains. 

• About senhasegura

Present in 54 countries, we are one of the units of MT4 Tecnologia, a group of companies focused on information security founded in 2001.

Our purpose is to guarantee cybersecurity to the organizations we provide services to, acting on the control of privileged actions and information. In this sense, we avoid problems such as: data leaks and thefts in virtual environments and their consequences for our customers.

We understand digital sovereignty is a right of citizens, organizations, and society, so we work around this goal, believing that applied technology is essential for the promotion of prosperity.

Our job is to address the lifecycle of privileged access management, be it before, during, and after access, considering that machine automation is a current need, as manually managing digital privileges has become an insufficient task. Therefore, we seek to:

• Avoid interruptions due to expirations and increase the efficiency of organizations;
• Automatically audit the use of privileges;
• Automatically audit privileged changes to anticipate detection of privilege abuses;
• Ensure successful deployments and satisfied customers;
• Provide advanced PAM capabilities;
• Provide resources that reduce risks in a fast and advanced way;
• We also bring companies into compliance with audit criteria and standards such as PCI DSS, Sarbanes-Oxley, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.

• Conclusion

By reading this article, you saw that:

• Active Directory came up with Windows Server due to the need to use the same password to perform multiple tasks;
• AD is a database and set of services that have the main function of enabling the management of permissions and the control of access to network resources;
• It was created to organize the search for necessary information at work and centralize this data;
• Through it, users log on once to access any network environment;
• Active Directory-based domains enable centralized administration;
• An organization can manage AD based on a business model, organizational model, or the types of roles it manages;
• Active Directory allows one to find a resource more easily, making it possible to publish files and print resources on the network;
• Through AD, one can establish trust relationships between several areas;
• Through the concept of organizational units (OUs), AD allows for improving scalability in large organizations;
• Active Directory has the function of storing data about network users and resources in a structure formed by domains, trees, and forests;
• The AD operation can be understood through two perspectives: the technical and the user one;
• The directories are used to administer software packages, files, and user accounts, among other functions;
• After a user enters their login and password, Active Directory confirms the information is valid and authenticates.

Did you like our article on Active Directory? Share it with someone else who might be interested in this topic.

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Some services depend on the integration between software, applications, or systems to be run by the end-user and this communication is possible due to the existence of APIs in people’s daily lives.

However, with the constant evolution of technology, these tools have been vectors for attacks by malicious agents, as explained below. Here, we also show you how important it is to invest in API security and what are the main challenges to achieving this goal.

To facilitate your reading and make our content more understandable, we divided this article into topics addressing the following subjects:

• What is an API?
• API Today
• What Is API Security and How Important Is It?
• Types of Frequent API Attacks
• Six Best Practices for API Security
• About senhasegura
• Conclusion

Enjoy your reading!

• What is an API?

The expression Application Programming Interface (API) consists of a set of programming standards that allow access to an application or platform. 

This mechanism is created when a software organization intends to develop other programs related to the service they offer. 

In this way, they provide codes to be used on other websites by their end-user. This is what happens with Google Maps, when it is adapted for use by other websites, such as hotel pages. 

This is possible with the intermediation of an API used by the developers of the hotel’s website with the Google Maps code.

This means that APIs enable communication between different applications through multiple codes, without any effort from the users. 

An API is useful for connecting several features of a website that can be used in other services, which is possible via programming. 

• API Today

An API is typically described as an interface that connects applications. However, this generic concept no longer fully explains the features of this tool, which recently gained new ones.

APIs today adhere to models accessible and easily understood by developers. They are considered products, used by specific consumers, and present versions, which guarantees their lifecycle.

They are extremely standardized software, focused on governance and security, and one can also monitor the APIs and manage their performance. 

Their lifecycle includes the design, testing, construction, management, and version control phases. Modern APIs are still documented for consumption.

These APIs spread through plug-ins. In practice, the developers of a given application create an API and make it available to other developers, who create other plug-ins, enhancing the operation of this program. 

• What Is API Security and How Important Is It?

With the evolution of technology, cybercriminals are going beyond their conventional targets and expanding their operations to IoT, external applications, and mobile applications. 

As a result, the large number of existing APIs has become a challenge for information security professionals. 

To complete, developers often do not have all the skills to develop a flawless API that complies with web and cloud security standards, which creates vulnerabilities to programs. Thus, many risks arise, such as:

• Authorization Failures;
• Data Exposure;
• Denial of Service;
• Failures in Security Settings;
• Endpoints.

Vulnerable APIs open space for hackers, who can access sensitive information, medical and financial data of organizations, generating incalculable losses.

When we talk about API security, we typically refer to the protection of an application’s back-end services, including its database, user management system, or other components that interact with data storage.

Thus, it is essential to ensure the security of APIs, which covers the use of resources and the adoption of protection procedures. The security of a company’s APIs involves the services that use them and should prevent malicious agents from accessing sensitive data and performing unauthorized actions. 

It is important to mention that applications from other companies impact API security. Therefore, the risks must be evaluated by the IT team so that an efficient protection plan is created. 

Types of Frequent API Attacks

Here are the most common API attacks:

• Injection Attack

When an API developer does not limit entries to certain applications, malicious agents can perform an API injection attack by sending a script to the server with a request that allows them to access the program. 

• Stolen Authentication Attack

APIs configured with wrong authentication standards generate vulnerabilities for organizations, which need to prevent hackers from accessing the controls of this API and stealing data from their customers. Inadequate authentication processes can also result in brute force attacks. 

• Man-in-the-middle Attack (MITM)

Transmission of unsigned or unencrypted messages, problems with secure session configuration, or even the use of SSL/TLS encryption with incorrect configuration can compromise API security and make an organization vulnerable to Man-in-the-middle attacks, compromising all messages with the customer.

Thus, malicious agents gain access to sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information. 

• DDoS Attack

API endpoints have become the target of DDoS attacks. Malicious agents point a bot to the API and make multiple requests on an endpoint until it exceeds the tolerance of those requests and affects its responsiveness, making the service unavailable to users. 

To protect an API from DDoS attacks, we recommend edge protection and the Web Application Firewall with WAAP. 

Six Best Practices for API Security

Some practices are recommended to ensure API security. Below you will find what should be done for this purpose.

• Analyze API Vulnerabilities

To ensure API security, automatic verification must be enabled in order to detect vulnerabilities and eliminate them at different stages of the software lifecycle. 

Automated verification features allow you to identify security flaws by comparing the application configuration to a known vulnerability database.

In practice, Crashtest Security Suite allows you to scan vulnerabilities, helping to establish a continuous testing process and prevent intrusions generated by a lack of API security. 

The suite also performs benchmarks referring to OWASP’s top 10 and provides a security analysis for APIs, applications, and JavaScripts. 

• Restrict HTTP Methods

REST APIs enable programs capable of performing multiple HTTP operations. HTTP information is not encrypted, so these methods can facilitate attacks. 

For added security, it is important to prohibit unsafe HTTP methods, but if this is not possible, we recommend restricting your whitelist by rejecting all requests that are not on the list. 

Another important measure is the use of RESTful API authentication practices, which ensure the user can use the HTTP method.

• Avoid Untrusted Entries by Implementing Input Validation Mechanisms

When the API client makes data available, do not fully trust it, since the authentication server can run an unauthorized application service or a malicious script. 

In this sense, it is recommended information security professionals implement mechanisms to validate the entry into the server and the client in order to avoid untrusted entries. 

Concerning the client, this validation has the job of indicating errors and warning about entries that must be accepted. On the server-side, it works to verify incoming data and prevent threats such as SQL Injection and XSS attacks. 

• Set a Maximum Request Limit 

Limiting requests is an API security measure that requires setting up a temporary status for the API to analyze requests. It is usually used to prevent abuse, spam, or denial of service attacks. It also contributes to managing REST API security and preventing brute force and DDoS attacks. 

Some APIs may have flexible limits, enabling users to exceed request limits for a short time. Therefore, setting the time limit is a best practice to ensure API security. 

Also, request queue libraries make it possible to create APIs that accept a predefined number of requests, placing the others in a queue. 

• HTTPS/TLS Must Be Used For REST APIs

HTTPS and Transport Layer Security (TLS) provide security for the transfer of encrypted information between web servers and browsers. In addition, HTTPS contributes to the protection of authentication credentials being transferred. 

Every API should implement HTTPS to ensure confidentiality, authenticity, and integrity. What’s more, security professionals are advised to use mutually authenticated client-side certificates to provide more security for sensitive information and operations. 

When creating a REST API, it is necessary to avoid redirecting HTTP to HTTPS, endangering user security. It is also important to take action to divert Cross-Source Resource Sharing (CORS) and JSONP requests for cross-domain calls.

• Use An API Management Platform

An API gateway is intended to separate the client interface from the back-end API collection and to ensure the availability and scalability of API services. 

In addition to managing the most diverse API services, the API management platform makes it possible to manage standard functions, such as rate limitation, telemetry, and user authentication.

The API gateway is characterized by accepting API calls, coordinating resources needed to service it, performing authentication, and ensuring appropriate results. 

• About senhasegura

For us, from senhasegura, the protection, access, and confidentiality of privileged information is a right of all individuals and legal entities. Therefore, we strive to operate as the best-privileged access management solution in the market.

Our commitment is to assist organizations to build sovereignty and security over access and privileged information.

• Conclusion

By reading this article, you saw that:

• APIs are a set of programming standards that allow integration between software, applications, and systems run by the end-user.
• They contribute to the governance and security of organizations, can be monitored, and have their performances managed;
• Nevertheless, with the evolution of technology, these tools have become vectors of attacks by malicious agents;
• Thus, the large number of existing APIs has become a challenge for information security professionals;
• It is essential to ensure API security with the use of tools and the adoption of procedures aimed at protecting this solution;
• Among the types of API attacks, the following stand out: Injection Attack, Stolen Authentication Attack, Man-in-the-middle Attack (MITM), and DDoS Attack;
• To ensure the security of APIs, it is critical to analyze their vulnerabilities; restrict HTTP methods; avoid untrusted entries by implementing input validation mechanisms; set a maximum limit of requests; use HTTPS/TLS for REST APIs and API gateway.
• You also had the opportunity to learn a little about the work developed by senhasegura to promote its customers’ protection.

Did you like our article on API security? So, share it with someone else who is interested in this topic and keep following our posts. 

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