Azure Active Directory vs Ping Identity

August 06, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Azure Active Directory
Your universal platform to manage and secure identities
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Ping Identity
Ping Identity offers secure single sign-on for your employees from any device and gives IT one dashboard to manage user access for all applications. Provisioning is available for popular apps such as Salesforce.com, Dropbox, Concur, WebEx, Box, Office 365 and more.

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and Ping Identity are both prominent players in the identity and access management (IAM) market, but they offer distinct features and cater to different user needs. Azure AD is Microsoft's cloud-based IAM service, tightly integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem, and primarily designed for organizations heavily reliant on Microsoft products and services. It excels in providing user authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and seamless integration with Office 365 and other Azure services. On the other hand, Ping Identity is an independent IAM provider offering a comprehensive IAM platform with a focus on security and user experience. Ping Identity supports a wide range of IAM capabilities, including SSO, multi-factor authentication (MFA), identity governance, and API security. It caters to enterprises seeking a flexible, customizable, and standards-based solution to manage identities and access across diverse systems and applications.

See also: Top 10 Identity Management platforms
Azure Active Directory vs Ping Identity in our news:

2021. Microsoft acquires access management startup CloudKnox



Microsoft has recently completed the acquisition of the IAM (identity and access management) startup, CloudKnox Security. CloudKnox specializes in aiding organizations in implementing the least-privilege principles to mitigate risks and prevent security breaches. By integrating CloudKnox's activity-based authorization service, Azure Active Directory customers will gain comprehensive visibility, continuous monitoring, and automated remediation for managing permissions across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Microsoft has plans to seamlessly integrate CloudKnox with its other cloud security services, such as 365 Defender, Azure Defender, and Azure Sentinel. This acquisition aligns with Microsoft's strategic efforts to bolster its security portfolio, as demonstrated by its recent acquisitions of IoT security startups CyberX and Refirm Labs.


2015. Ping Identity adds authentication via Apple Watch



Identity management platform Ping Identity has introduced a new feature that allows users to obtain their second authentication factor using an Apple Watch. The platform's concept revolves around prioritizing identity within the security framework, empowering users, including employees, partners, and customers, to access applications seamlessly across various devices, based on their unique identities. With Ping Identity, after signing in, your Apple Watch will vibrate, prompting you to activate it and tap the sign-on card displayed on the Watch. This innovative utilization of the Apple Watch offers a convenient and effective approach to streamline security measures.


2014. Identity management service Ping Identity lands $35M



Cloud security startup Ping Identity has secured a $35 million investment, highlighting the company's focus on mobile integration within its identity management platform. By leveraging a user's smartphone, Ping Identity ensures that the appropriate individuals gain access to specific parts of the network, thereby enhancing security measures. The identity and access management sector has witnessed notable activity this summer, with Okta securing a $75 million investment in June, and Sailpoint receiving an undisclosed investment valued at several hundred million dollars. These startups operate under the shared belief that the cloud has introduced complexities for companies to monitor access to their intricate internal networks, while simultaneously safeguarding against potential threats and unauthorized access.

Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com