Microsoft Active Directory is a highly popular directory service used by many organizations worldwide. There are several Active Directory management tools available that help in provisioning and managing user accounts, managing computer policies, etc. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which tools are most effective. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most effective active directory management tools available in the market.

SolarWinds Access Rights Manager

Access Rights Manager from SolarWinds is a comprehensive Active Directory (AD) tool for managing file servers, SharePoint and Exchange systems, SQL Server, and Active Directory. This tool helps automate permissions and access management and can monitor user activity. With Access Rights Manager, you can also get reports on AD user activity, file access, and changes to file and folder permissions so that you can detect and respond to security threats.

Quest Active Roles

Quest Active Role is an excellent tool for managing user accounts and groups within Active Directory. It provides capabilities for delegating administration to non-AD administrators, locating orphaned accounts, identifying inactive accounts, and automating repetitive tasks. Quest Active Roles also simplifies AD provisioning, helps to enforce security policies, and reduces administration costs.

ManageEngine ADManager Plus

ADManager Plus from ManageEngine is an all-in-one Active Directory management solution that simplifies the provisioning, de-provisioning, and management of user accounts. It supports automated workflows for provisioning, de-provisioning, and password resets, and enables you to perform mass changes to AD objects. ADManager Plus also provides regulatory compliance reports for auditing and remediation purposes.

Netwrix Auditor

Netwrix Auditor provides real-time auditing and alerting on changes made to Active Directory, Azure AD, Exchange, and file servers. It offers detailed reports on user activity, group membership changes, permission changes, and other modifications made to AD. Netwrix Auditor also provides change summaries and monitoring capabilities, which can help you track down who made unauthorized changes and take action accordingly.

ManageEngine ADAudit Plus

ADAudit Plus from ManageEngine provides real-time monitoring and alerts on critical security events, including authentication failures, account lockouts, and privilege modifications. It offers web-based reports on AD user activities, including group membership changes, access control changes, and permission changes. ADAudit Plus can also help you meet regulatory compliance requirements, such as HIPAA, SOX, and PCI DSS.

Conclusion:

Active Directory management tools are essential for organizations to automate user provisioning and de-provisioning, manage computer policies, and automate tedious and repetitive tasks. There are several Active Directory tools available in the market, but SolarWinds Access Rights Manager, Quest Active Roles, ManageEngine ADManager Plus, Netwrix Auditor, and ManageEngine ADAudit Plus are some of the most effective tools that can automate Active Directory management and help organizations maintain their IT security. Whether you are a small-scale business or a large corporation, using these tools can help you achieve your goals and secure your organization.