As Department of Defense contractors face increasing pressure to achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) Is a powerful tool for meeting multiple critical compliance requirements. This comprehensive identity and access management platform provides the foundation for a robust security posture that aligns perfectly with CMMC controls.

Addressing Core CMMC Domains with Entra ID

Access Control (AC)

Microsoft Entra ID delivers granular access management capabilities that satisfy numerous AC requirements:

• Least Privilege Implementation: Easily define and enforce role-based access controls that limit user privileges to only what's necessary for job functions
• Account Management: Streamline the creation, modification, and disabling of user accounts through automated workflows and approval processes
• Remote Access Controls: Secure connections from external locations with conditional access policies based on device compliance, location, and risk assessments

Identification and Authentication (IA)

CMMC's stringent authentication requirements are addressed through:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Deploy various authentication methods including mobile apps, hardware tokens, and biometrics
• Password Management: Enforce complex password policies with regular expiration requirements
• Identity Verification: Validate user identities before granting system access with customizable verification methods

Audit and Accountability (AU)

Microsoft Entra ID excels at the AU.L2-3.3.2 User Accountability requirement through:

• Comprehensive Audit Logs: Track user activities across all connected systems and applications
• Real-Time Monitoring: Identify unusual access patterns and potential security incidents as they occur
• Customizable Reports: Generate documentation needed for CMMC audits with pre-built compliance reports