Why identity is the new cybersecurity battleground – and how MSPs help you win

Meanwhile, one fact has become painfully clear in the world of cyber threats – identities are now the primary target of attacks. Phishing, stolen credentials, and privilege misuse account for the majority of breaches worldwide. As businesses adopt hybrid and cloud-first models and the days of perimeter security disappear, identity is now the new frontline.

Fortunately, Microsoft’s identity platform, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), has stepped up to the challenge. Microsoft Entra ID offers centralised, cloud-based, secure access to everything: cloud apps, on-prem systems, third-party SaaS, even infrastructure across multiple clouds. When paired with Managed Service Provider (MSP) support, the benefits multiply – offering not just better security, but also greater resilience and efficiency for IT teams.

So, what does Entra ID actually deliver in terms of cybersecurity, and why should business leaders consider MSP support as part of the package?

Weak or stolen passwords remain one of the easiest ways for attackers to access business networks, acting like unlocked doors. Microsoft Entra directly addresses this by offering phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) and passwordless sign-in options such as FIDO2 security keys, Windows Hello for Business, and the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Shared accounts like finance@ often lead to risky password sharing and a lack of accountability. Microsoft Entra fixes this by enforcing individual logins with MFA, delegated access, and time-bound credentials, giving businesses both security and clear audit trails.

Research shows that enabling MFA alone prevents over 99.9% of account compromise attempts. By removing passwords from the equation altogether, Entra helps businesses close the door on one of the most common methods of network breach.

We know that static, one-size-fits-all security doesn’t cut it anymore. That’s why Entra ID introduces Conditional Access policies that adapt in real time, based on signals such as user behaviour, device health, geolocation and the sensitivity of the resource being accessed.

For example, a finance manager working from the office may have no issues logging in to their usual laptop. Still, the same account logging in from a suspicious IP address overseas could be blocked or forced through an extra authentication step. This risk-aware approach stops attackers without getting in the way of legitimate work.

One of the biggest dangers in corporate IT is ‘privilege creep’, where users or administrators accumulate unnecessary rights over time, creating a goldmine for attackers should those accounts become compromised.

With Privileged Identity Management (PIM), Entra ID flips the model. High-level rights are no longer permanent; instead, they’re requested for a limited window, approved by a manager, and automatically revoked once the task is complete. Every action is logged, audited, and monitored. It’s a far safer way to protect the keys to the kingdom.

Modern businesses rarely run everything in one place – most have a mix of on-prem servers, SaaS apps and at least one cloud provider. Managing identities across several platforms can quickly become a security headache.

Entra ID acts as a unified identity hub, offering single sign-on (SSO) and consistent security policies across Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, and third-party applications. For employees, it means fewer passwords and smoother access, while for IT teams, it means fewer gaps and greater visibility.

Microsoft has invested heavily in AI and machine learning to strengthen its identity platform. Entra ID constantly analyses sign-in data for unusual patterns – like impossible travel (logging in from London and Singapore within minutes), brute force attempts or use of known malicious IP addresses.

These are flagged through Identity Protection and can trigger automated responses, from requiring a password reset to blocking access entirely. When integrated with Microsoft Defender and Sentinel, identity events become part of a wider security operations picture, giving security teams real-time visibility and response options.

With regulations like European GDPR, UK Data Protection Act 2018, US HIPAA and PCI-DSS tightening the screws on data protection, businesses must be able to demonstrate their control over who has access to what. Entra ID delivers governance tools such as access reviews, entitlement management and audit logs, making compliance less of a burden and more of an automated process.

While Entra ID is powerful, unlocking its full potential can be a challenge for some organisations. Conditional Access, PIM, and governance tools are only effective if properly configured and monitored. This is where an MSP partnership will bring additional value to the table.

1. 24/7 Monitoring
MSPs can transfer Entra ID logs into advanced analytics platforms and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems. They monitor suspicious sign-ins, unusual privilege escalations and attempted breaches around the clock. If something does slip through, your MSP can contain and rectify the incident before it escalates.

2. Policy configuration and best practice
Often, breaches will be a result of misconfiguration rather than gaps in technology. MSPs ensure that policies such as MFA, Conditional Access, and PIM are set up correctly, tested, and aligned with best practices. MSPs can also handle backup of identity configurations, ensuring recovery if policies or tenants are compromised.

3. Zero trust and lifecycle automation
Implementing a Zero Trust strategy can be daunting. However, your MSP can help by configuring continuous verification, context-aware access, and micro-segmentation. We can also automate the identity lifecycle: onboarding new staff, adjusting rights as roles change, and removing access when an employee leaves, preventing a gradual build-up of unnecessary rights.

4. Compliance support and governance
MSPs can provide the expertise to align Entra ID with compliance requirements, conducting regular access reviews, producing audit-ready reports and ensuring governance processes are watertight.

5. Cost efficiency and focus
By outsourcing the day-to-day management of identity security, internal IT teams are freed up to focus on more strategic initiatives. MSPs bring economies of scale, spreading the cost of monitoring tools, skilled staff and training across multiple clients. For many organisations, it’s a far more cost-effective way to achieve enterprise-grade security.

It’s worth noting that identity platforms themselves can be targeted. A high-profile incident in 2023 saw attackers exploit a stolen Microsoft signing key to forge access tokens. While Microsoft has since strengthened its key management and rolled out further controls, the lesson is clear: identity is too critical to leave unmonitored.

Without the right expertise and continuous oversight, organisations risk turning Entra ID into a single point of failure. With MSP support, that risk is mitigated by layered controls, independent monitoring, and rapid recovery plans.

For executives and IT leaders, the message is clear: securing identity is no longer optional, it’s now the foundation of modern cybersecurity. Microsoft Entra ID provides the tools to do this effectively, from passwordless authentication to AI-driven threat detection.

But technology alone isn’t enough. To truly strengthen resilience, reduce risk, and simplify operations, many businesses need the expertise, 24/7 monitoring, and governance capabilities that an MSP provides.

In short, pairing Microsoft Identity with MSP support gives organisations the best of both worlds: cutting-edge technology and the expert human oversight needed to make it work. It’s a smarter, safer, and ultimately more cost-effective way to protect your people, your data, and your future.