Microsoft Entra Suite aligns identity protection and network security

Why has Microsoft Entra Suite been launched?

The Microsoft Entra family of products has been evolving, adapting, and maturing since it first launched in 2022.

Microsoft Entra Suite and the accompanying Global Secure Access represents another step along this path. Not just a response to current challenges but a forward-looking move to adapt to the continuously shifting challenges we see in identity and access management.

The core drivers behind the Microsoft Entra Suite underscore its commitment to address and stay ahead of modern security challenges.

Such as:

• Unify conditional access across identity, endpoint, and network: The suite integrates solutions that bridge disparate areas of access control. This ensures security measures are uniformly applied regardless of where the access originates, which device is used, or which network is involved.
• Extend universal secure access to on-premises environments and internet traffic: As organisations operate in a hybrid environment—combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud services — the suite ensures that the same level of security is maintained across all platforms. Protecting users and data no matter where they’re accessed.
• Ensure least privilege access to any app or resource, including AI: By implementing strict access controls that provide users only the permissions they need to perform their tasks, the suite minimises potential attack vectors and reduces the risk of internal and external breaches. This is increasingly important as organisations deploy AI technologies that require rigorous oversight.
• Improve the user experience for remote, home, and in-office work: The suite is designed to enhance productivity without compromising security, providing a seamless and secure user experience across various work environments. This ensures that security protocols support rather than hinder day-to-day operations.

Underpinning all these capabilities is a Zero Trust security model, built into the DNA of all Microsoft Entra products (and the Microsoft security stack as a whole).

Zero Trust is a security concept centred on the belief that organisations should not automatically trust anything inside or outside their perimeters. Instead, anything and everything trying to connect to their systems must be verified.

This approach is applied across the entire Microsoft Entra Suite, affecting how identities are verified, how access is granted, and how networks are secured.

Part of a larger vision

The introduction of the Microsoft Entra Suite is a pivotal element of Microsoft’s broader vision to offer unified identity, access, and endpoint management and security. This strategic move is geared towards reinforcing the “trust fabric” within organisational environments by securing every digital interaction.

Moreover, through complimentary technology like Microsoft Entra External ID secure access is extended to identities like customers, partners, and third parties.

Ensuring that all stakeholders can safely interact with organisational resources, as much as they need, but no more than they require.

The licencing question: Offering a commercial edge?

By packaging the products together, Microsoft are incentivising the offering as a cost-effective solution. Essentially, bundling the products into a single per user / per month price that’s significantly lower than the stand-alone price for each.

Having an Entra P1 licence is a pre-requisite, and there are concessions within the price discounts for those P2 licence holders who may already have some of the products and want to expand to the full suite.

As is always the case, refer to official Microsoft sources or get in touch with one of our consultants who can help steer you along the right pricing path.

Key takeaways

Next steps

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