Microsoft recognized by the IDC MarketScape as a Leader in Worldwide Advanced Authentication for AAD

Microsoft has been named a leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Advanced Authentication for Identity Security 2021 Vendor Assessment (doc #US46178720, July 2021) report.

The IDC MarketScape analyzed companies’ identity security capabilities and strategies and Microsoft was one of seven companies recognized as a leader. Read the report excerpt to learn more.

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IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. The Capabilities score measures vendor product, go-to-market and business execution in the short-term. The Strategy score measures alignment of vendor strategies with customer requirements in a 3-5-year timeframe. Vendor market share is represented by the size of the icons.

Source:  “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Advanced Authentication for Identity Security 2021 Vendor Assessment”, By: Jay Bretzmann, July 2021, IDC # US46178720

In the report, Program Director of Cybersecurity Research Jay Bretzmann writes, “Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft Azure Active Directory are the repositories for more user identities than all other combined directory services providers. Its identity ecosystem continues to expand, offering advanced authentication capabilities that can meet most use cases on Windows and, increasingly, non-Windows environments.” The report also highlights Microsoft capabilities in Azure Active Directory for identity protection, Conditional Access, continuous access evaluation, and verifiable credentials.

Identity security is a top priority for us to deliver to our customers, so we’re extremely honored that our efforts have been recognized by the IDC MarketScape. We prioritize security principles when developing our products and innovating new solutions. We believe they validate our vision to provide identity-driven security and effortless user experiences to our customers.

The IDC MarketScpae’s guidance aligns with Microsoft’s security principles:

• Enable multifactor authentication (MFA): The report states, “IDC believes IT buyers should already have MFA solutions included within their present year security software budgets; if not, include such next year. This is a must-do security thing … MFA can be effectively delivered as a SaaS offering and really ought to be for your business or organization.”
• Go Passwordless: According to the report, “The day is coming where true Passwordless solutions will understand who we are based on what we do, but that day won’t be in 2021 (or even 2022). As a technology buyer, should you wait? IDC thinks not; the current benefits exceed the downside. … hopefully [companies have] headlights toward a Passwordless future.”
• Use conditional access policies: IT can set if-then statements that require that users meet certain specific conditions in order to gain access to a resource.
• Apply identity protection: Continuous access evaluation terminates active user sessions to Exchange and Microsoft Teams in real time on changes like account disable, password reset, and admin-initiated user revocation.

The report also explores industry trends and the leading cause of security breaches, and offers recommendations on choosing security solutions.

Read the report excerpt for details.

Microsoft’s inclusion in the IDC MarketScape vendor assessment is the most recent example of industry validation of recent efforts to help companies be more secure. Check out our leadership recognition across Microsoft Security.

See also our 5 steps to securing your identity infrastructure to see the top things you can do in Azure AD to improve your security posture.

Learn more about Microsoft identity: