• Key benefits of integrating ServiceNow with Active Directory
  • How to integrate Active Directory with ServiceNow manually
  • How ADManager Plus makes AD-ServiceNow integration easy

Managing user accounts and access permissions across multiple systems is a challenge that IT administrators know all too well. The constant cycle of provisioning users, resolving access issues, and deactivating accounts during offboarding often demands constant attention, leaving less room for other priorities.

ServiceNow can handle a lot of this for you, but it gets even better when you integrate it with Active Directory (AD). By integrating ServiceNow's IT service management (ITSM) with Active Directory's centralized identity management, you can automate user provisioning and access control—keeping everything running like clockwork.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key benefits of the integration between ServiceNow and Active Directory, walk through the steps for setting it up, and highlight how ADManager Plus can help with the integration.

Key benefits of integrating ServiceNow with Active Directory

Integrating ServiceNow with AD extends its capabilities by connecting user management and access control across both systems. Here are some of the key reasons why you should make this integration a part of your workflow:

  1. Automated user life cycle management

    2. With ServiceNow integrated into AD, user accounts are created, modified, or deactivated in ServiceNow based on real-time changes in AD. This reduces manual errors and ensures timely updates across systems.

  2. Dynamic access control and permissions

    3. Integrating ServiceNow with AD means access is tied to user roles and AD group memberships. Whether an employee moves to a new department or takes on additional responsibilities, permissions are updated automatically. IT admins no longer need to worry about accidental over-permissioning or lapses in access control.

  3. Improved incident management

    4. When incidents are logged, routing them to the right team or technician can be a guessing game without the right data. The integration aligns ServiceNow’s workflows with AD’s organizational structure, assigning incidents based on group memberships or department tags—speeding up resolutions and improving user satisfaction.

  4. Centralized user data consistency

    5. The ServiceNow-AD integration synchronizes user information across platforms, ensuring data accuracy. Changes made in AD—like updated email addresses or department shifts—are reflected instantly in ServiceNow, reducing outdated records or mismatched profiles.

How to integrate Active Directory with ServiceNow manually

ServiceNow can be integrated with Active Directory (AD) using ServiceNow’s built-in LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) and integration features.

  1. Setup the LDAP server
    • Create a new LDAP server record in ServiceNow in the LDAP Servers tab.
    • Select Active Directory as the LDAP Server Type. Fill in the Server Name and Server URL fields. Click Submit to save the configuration.
    • Provide Login Distinguished Name and Login Password to allow ServiceNow to authenticate with the LDAP server.
  2. Verify the connection
    • Once the server configuration is complete, test the connection within ServiceNow to ensure the LDAP server is accessible.
    • If successful, ServiceNow will be able to query the LDAP directory.
  3. Enable LDAP listener

    4. To configure an LDAP Listener that periodically searches for changes in Active Directory:

      • Open the configured LDAP server record.
      • Check the Listener box.
      • Click Update to save changes.
  4. Define the attributes the LDAP query should return
    • Use the Attributes field to specify the required attributes.
    • Explicitly include only the attributes you need.
  5. Define the LDAP Organizational Units (OU)

    6. LDAP OU definitions can represent locations, users, or groups. By default, each LDAP server configuration provides two sample OU definitions: one for importing user data and another for group data. To define the OUs for the server:

    • Open the configured LDAP server record.
    • In the LDAP OU Definitions related list, select a sample definition for either Groups or Users.
    • Complete the LDAP OU Definition form based on your requirements.
    • Click Update to save the configuration.
    • The system automatically tests the connection to validate the configuration.
  6. Configure Data Sources
    • Navigate to the LDAP OU Definitions related list.
    • Select an item such as Groups or Users.
    • In the Data Sources related list, click New.
    • Complete the Data Source form with the required details.
    • Click Submit to save the data source.
  7. Enable LDAP authentication
    • Configure LDAP authentication to allow users to log into ServiceNow using their AD credentials.
    • This centralizes authentication, ensuring users have a consistent experience across systems

For a comprehensive guide on configuring LDAP, refer to the ServiceNow LDAP Integration Guide.

How ADManager Plus makes AD-ServiceNow integration easy

If halfway through those integration steps you found yourself thinking, “There has to be an easier way,” then you’re not alone. Between configuring LDAP servers, mapping data attributes, and ensuring authentication flows, the process of manual configuration can quickly turn into a time sink.

ADManager Plus makes it easier. With a dedicated integration that eliminates the need for complex LDAP setups, you can sync ServiceNow and AD with minimal effort. Learn more about integrating ServiceNow with Active Directory using ADManager Plus.

But it doesn’t stop there. ADManager Plus is a complete user life cycle management tool, supporting over 100 integrations across 25+ application types. It provides IT teams with the flexibility to optimize processes, improve security posture, and manage user life cycles at scale—all through an intuitive and user-friendly interface.

Simplify, automate, and manage with ADManager Plus. Explore all available integrations here.