Why are native Active Directory tools obsolete nowadays?

Sachin Raaghav

September 204 min read

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    Manual vs. automated identity life cycle management  
    Active Directory clean-up: Should you automate it?  
  • Maintain confidentiality of critical information by implementing the POLP  
    6 essential capabilities of a modern UBA solution  
    How can SSO help in reinforcing password security?  
  • Authentication vs. authorization  
    5 simple steps to HIPAA compliance  
    Smart strategies to provision and de-provision Active Directory  

Why third-party tools are better than AD's native tools

Active Directory (AD) tools were once the gold standard for managing user accounts and permissions. But today, there are better options available that provide more features and flexibility. In this article, we'll take a look at why native AD tools are obsolete, and what alternatives you should use instead.

What are native AD tools?

The tools that come with Windows Server to manage Active Directory are called native tools. They include the Microsoft Manage Console snap-ins for the Active Directory Users and Computers, Active Directory Sites and Services, and Active Directory Domains and Trusts.

Why are native AD tools obsolete today?

There are several reasons why native AD tools are becoming obsolete, including because they can’t keep up with the changing needs of organizations. As organizations become more distributed, they need tools that can help them manage AD across multiple locations. Native tools simply aren’t designed for this purpose.

Another reason why native AD tools are falling behind is that they don’t offer the same level of security as other third-party tools. With data breaches becoming more common, businesses need to rely on their AD management tools to protect the data from unauthorized access. However, many native tools don’t have the necessary security features to protect data.

There are many third-party tools that offer a more comprehensive and user-friendly interface for managing AD. These tools often come with additional features that can simplify AD management.

A big advantage of using third-party tools is that they can help you automate many of the tasks associated with managing AD. This can save you a considerable amount of time and effort, and can help you improve the overall efficiency of your organization.

Another advantage of using third-party tools is that they can provide you with better visibility into your AD environment, such as tracking file transfer, user access, password changes, and more. With third-party tools, you can easily gain visibility over these actions with the help of extensive reports. This can help you identify potential problems sooner and take steps to prevent them from becoming serious issues.

The bottom line is that the native AD tools are no longer sufficient for managing today's complex networks. They simply don't have the features and functionality that modern businesses need. Additionally, they can be difficult to use, which adds to the frustration of trying to manage a network with them. If you're looking for a more robust and user-friendly solution, consider using a third-party AD tool from ManageEngine.