In today’s cloud-first world, organizations can no longer rely on traditional network boundaries to secure access. With employees, partners, and devices connecting from anywhere, identity has become the new security perimeter. Microsoft has been very clear on this point: Zero Trust begins with identity.

Microsoft Entra, the identity and access portfolio, builds on Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID) and introduces unified tools for permissions management and verified identities. It provides a comprehensive foundation to help organizations align identity with Zero Trust principles, ensuring secure and compliant access across apps, devices, and workloads.

Why Identity Matters in Zero Trust

What is Zero Trust? The Zero Trust model assumes that no user, device, or network can be trusted by default. Every access request must be explicitly verified, least privilege should always be enforced, and real-time risk assessments must be applied continuously.

Identity is the cornerstone of this approach because:

  • Compromised credentials are still the most common cause of breaches.
  • Hybrid and multicloud environments increase complexity and attack surfaces.
  • Workload identities (such as applications and services) now require the same level of protection as human users.

Properly aligning identity with Zero Trust ensures organizations can reduce risks, enforce secure access, and maintain compliance even in complex environments.

Aligning Identity with Zero Trust Using Microsoft Entra

Microsoft Entra provides the capabilities organizations need to modernize identity and embed Zero Trust principles into everyday access:

  • Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to protect against credential theft.
  • Conditional Access policies for adaptive, risk-based controls.
  • Identity Protection for real-time detection and remediation of compromised accounts.
  • Permissions Management for unified visibility and control across Azure, AWS, and GCP.
  • Security for workload identities, not just human accounts.

These capabilities ensure organizations can enforce “never trust, always verify” without disrupting user productivity.

Benefits of Aligning Identity with Zero Trust

Organizations that align identity with Zero Trust principles gain:

  • Stronger protection against credential-based attacks.
  • Reduced risks of insider threats and permission misuse.
  • Simplified governance and compliance across diverse environments.
  • Greater confidence in enabling secure hybrid and remote work.

 Recent Microsoft Updates

Microsoft has expanded Zero Trust capabilities in 2025 with a strong focus on AI, internet security, and modernization of identity services.

  • Securing the Agentic Workforce – As AI agents and copilots become part of daily work, Microsoft extended Zero Trust principles to machine identities. New controls in Entra ensure AI systems follow the same rigorous access and verification processes as human users com.
  • Entra Internet Access – Microsoft launched Entra Internet Access to bridge the gap between identity and network security. It applies identity-based access controls to internet traffic, protecting users and apps against malicious sites and data exfiltration com.
  • March 2025 Entra Enhancements – Key updates include real-time password spray detection, AI-driven Conditional Access policy recommendations, retirement of legacy AzureAD and MSOnline PowerShell modules in favor of Graph, and new governance features like granular Graph permissions for lifecycle workflows microsoft.com.

These updates highlight Microsoft’s commitment to keeping Zero Trust relevant in a world where both humans and AI agents need secure, least-privileged access.

Migration Roadmap

When migrating from on-premises Active Directory or legacy environments, Olive + Goose follows a structured approach to ensure a smooth transition to Microsoft Entra while embedding Zero Trust principles:

  • Assess your Entra ID / AD hybrid setup, including MFA coverage, Secure Score, and overall identity posture.
  • Pilot modern identity controls such as Conditional Access policies and passwordless authentication to validate security and user experience.
  • Extend policies across SaaS applications, on-prem workloads via Entra App Proxy, and external identities to maintain consistent access controls.
  • Govern guest access and privileged roles using Entra Privileged Identity Management (PIM) to enforce least privilege and just-in-time access.
  • Monitor and Evolve using Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) along with Microsoft Sentinel integration to continuously track identity risks and adjust controls as needed.

This roadmap ensures that organizations not only migrate successfully but also strengthen their identity security posture, align with Zero Trust, and maintain compliance throughout the process.

Why Use Olive + Goose

At Olive + Goose, we specialize in Microsoft 365, Azure, and complex migration projects. Our expertise extends to modernizing identity environments and implementing Zero Trust strategies using Microsoft Entra. Partnering with us enables organizations to:

  • Adopt Microsoft Entra and Zero Trust with minimal disruption.
  • Secure workloads, applications, and AI agents with industry best practices.
  • Maintain compliance and governance across hybrid and multicloud environments.
  • Benefit from a team with deep hands-on experience in Microsoft security solutions.

Our approach ensures your enterprise builds a stronger security foundation while maintaining productivity and seamless collaboration.

Disclaimer: AI-assisted, Olive + Goose approved.

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