Microsoft has opened its Active Directory (AD) to general availability on Windows Azure, giving developers access to the single-sign-on service for access to the suite of Microsoft services, third-party apps and SaaS providers.
Active Directory is the long-time single point of access to Microsoft Windows technologies. The Windows Azure AD compatibility means customers can provide similar controls online that had traditionally been integrated into servers managed by customers and their IT departments. Like Active Directory, the Windows Azure version eliminates the need for usernames and passwords, which can be a major security hole. IT can use the Windows Azure AD to manage permissions and revoke access when employees leave the company or change jobs.