Active Directory (AD) Security Buyer’s Guide

Active Directory (AD) is the backbone of identity and access management in most enterprise IT environments. However, its widespread use also makes it a prime target for attackers. In fact, the majority of ransomware and privilege escalation attacks today involve AD in some form. Organizations that fail to secure their AD environments risk losing control over user accounts, devices, applications, and sensitive data.

The Active Directory Security Buyer’s Guide is a comprehensive resource designed to help IT and security professionals understand, evaluate, and select the right tools and strategies to defend their AD infrastructure. Whether you are building a security strategy from scratch or looking to replace outdated solutions, this guide offers practical insights tailored to today’s threat landscape.

This in-depth guide provides a strategic approach to AD protection — from identifying common vulnerabilities and understanding attacker behavior, to aligning your investment with long-term security goals. It also walks you through key features and capabilities you should look for in any AD security solution, helping you avoid the pitfalls of buying tools that are either too narrow or overly complex.

You’ll also gain access to a detailed feature comparison framework, allowing you to evaluate different vendors and approaches based on your organization's unique needs — whether you manage AD on-premises, in hybrid environments, or across multiple domains.

In addition to solution evaluation, the guide explores how modern AD security ties into broader initiatives like Zero Trust, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and compliance requirements including HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX. This ensures your AD security investments support both operational resilience and regulatory demands.

Security and identity teams can use this guide as a roadmap to:

• Discover the true security gaps in their Active Directory environments
• Align security goals with identity governance best practices
• Understand the must-have capabilities for long-term protection
• Improve visibility, detection, and response around AD attack vectors
• Establish a defensible, future-ready Active Directory security strategy

Whether you’re an IT administrator, a cybersecurity architect, or a decision-maker responsible for identity security, this guide will help you make informed purchasing decisions that improve your organization’s resilience against modern threats. Download your free copy of the Active Directory Security Buyer’s Guide today and get the clarity you need to secure your AD environment with confidence.