Smart card-based tool for AD authentication

ADManager Plus—the web-based solution for managing Active Directory, Exchange, Office 365, and more—supports granting access through smart card-based authentication.

The following methods can be used to log in to ADManager Plus:

• Smart card authentication.
• First factor authentication.

Provisioning multiple AD users in Office 365 is a breeze with ADManager Plus. Just import a CSV file to specify the AD users, and the tool sends those users' required attributes to Azure Active Directory-based Office 365 to create their Office 365 accounts.

Key benefits

• Enhanced security: The user is required to possess the smart card and know the personal identification number (PIN) as well. This protects against identity theft and sets up an additional layer of security. Prevention against concurrent logons is also guaranteed. User or role-based access to organizational data is simpler and more secure.
• Improved end user experience: The user logon process is easier as users do not have to log on to ADManager Plus separately—once they use smart cards to log on to their machines, they automatically have access to ADManager Plus.
• Easier adherence to compliance regulations: Compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and SOX can be achieved easily with smart card-based authentication.

How it works

When users attempt to access ADManager Plus' web-interface, they can proceed only after completing smart card logon in the machine, that is, by presenting their smart cards and entering their PINs. ADManager Plus' web-interface supplements smart card technology with SSL communication. So, the user is prompted to specify the X.509 certificate to get access.

Users can choose to provide the certificate from the smart card or the local certificate store, in which case ADManager Plus performs the steps to authenticate the user with the certificate. Users can also decline to provide the certificate and the software will take them to the usual login page for authentication.

About ADManager Plus

ADManager Plus is a one-stop solution to manage Windows Active Directory, Exchange Server, Office 365, Google Workspace, and Skype for Business (Lync). It offers a wide variety of features—bulk user management, automation of routine AD tasks, more than 150 preconfigured reports, role-based help desk delegation, customizable workflow, CSV and template-based user management, and more—that make IT management a breeze. Furthermore, its iOS and Android apps ensure that you are in control of your AD even while you are on the move. Download a free 30-day trial of ADManager Plus now.