I'm currently working as an IT specialist at a medium-sized company with around 1000 users. Recently, I interviewed for a role as an IAM specialist and faced a tough question about how to regularly audit user access. Unfortunately, my current organization doesn't perform these audits, so I'm looking to understand how to conduct them, particularly with tools like Entra and Active Directory, which we use in our on-prem and cloud environments. Even though I might not land the job, I want to learn more about this process to enhance my skills and improve my current workplace's practices.
4 Answers
The core of user access auditing is answering who has access to what and ensuring it stays relevant. Use Entra's access reviews, PowerShell for AD group memberships, and sign-in logs. Most organizations struggle with this, so don't be too hard on your current one. Start with simple reports on who is in sensitive groups and establish a consistent auditing schedule to keep things in check. This experience will make you a strong candidate for future roles!
To get started with auditing user access using Entra and Active Directory, pull reports on group memberships and privileged roles first. For AD, export users in critical groups like Domain Admins or Enterprise Admins and compare those against what HR says users actually need. This will help you identify discrepancies.
In my experience, the best way to audit access is through re-attestation requests. Users and their managers should validate if current access is still needed. Automating this process through your existing request system can save you a lot of headaches, as timely validation is critical to avoid access issues down the line.
For Entra ID specifically, consider setting up regular access reviews. It's about establishing a routine where privileged accounts are reviewed monthly, and standard users quarterly, all while documenting everything. Auditors love having a clear paper trail for everything.
That’s a solid approach! I’ve automated this process with a script that the auditor can run directly—no special privileges required. I also recommend restructuring access grants so users are added to role-based groups, making management and auditing way easier.