Comprehensive Guide to User, Group, and Permission Management in Azure.

Understanding Azure AD Basics

Before we begin, it's important to understand that Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management service that helps your employees sign in and access resources.

Step 1: Creating Users in Azure AD

i. Go to your Azure portal
ii. Navigate to Entra ID
iii. Click on Users, then click all users
iv. Click on new User
v. Click create new User
vi. Put the username (e.g Taylor)
vii. Input the user's full name on Display name section (e.g Taylor Bruce)
viii. Create a password for the user.
N.B: the user get to change the password when he/she wants to access Azure
ix. Click on create

Step 2: Creating bulk Users
i. Navigate to Entra ID
ii. Click on all users
iii. Click on bulk operations
iv. Download the CSV template
v. On the template, insert all the users information (e.g the username, email, password, and even the group you want to put them)
vi. After inserting the informations, click on submit
vii. Go back to your Entra ID and refresh.

Step 3: Creating Groups in Azure AD
i. Go to your Azure portal
ii. Navigate to Entra ID
iii. Click on Groups, and then click on New Group
iv. Fill in the required information, such as:

• Group type
• Group name
• Group description
• Membership type (Assigned or Dynamic) v. Configure additional settings, such as:
• Group owners
• Group members
• Group membership role (if using dynamic membership) vi. Click on create

Step 4: Adding Users to Groups
i. Navigate to Entra ID
ii. Click on Groups
iii. Select the Group you want to add members
iv. Click members
v. Click add members
vi. Select the Users you want to add
vii. Click select

Step 5: Assigning Permissions to Groups
i. Navigate to Entra ID
ii. Click on Roles and Administrators
iii. Select the role you want to assign (e.g., "Global Administrator")
iv. Click Add assignments
v. Search and select the group you want to assign permissions to
vi. Click add

Method 2: Assigning Azure Resource Permissions
i. Go to Azure portal and navigate to the specific resources you want to assign permissions for
ii. Click on Access control (I AM) in the resource menu
iii. Click on Role assignments and then click on Add role assignments
iv. Choose the role you want to assign such as "Contributor" or "Reader"
v. Select the Users, Group, or Service Principals you want to assign the role to
vi. Click Review + assign

Best Practices for Azure AD Management

Use groups for permissions: Always assign permissions to groups rather than individual users when possible

Follow least privilege principle: Only grant the minimum permissions needed

Use naming conventions: Establish clear naming standards for users and groups

Document your structure: Maintain documentation of your group hierarchy and permission assignments

Regularly review access: Conduct periodic access reviews to ensure permissions are still appropriate

Enable MFA: Require multi-factor authentication for all users, especially those with elevated permissions.