---
title: "Zero Trust Identity and Access Management"
description: "UserLock delivers zero trust identity and access management for Active Directory with MFA, access controls, and session monitoring."
locale: "en"
updated_at: "2025-07-16T12:25:08.681Z"
canonical: "https://www.isdecisions.com/en/userlock/solutions/zero-trust-identity-access-management"
---

# Zero trust identity and access management

_Use Case_

Apply zero trust identity and access management (IAM) principles to Active Directory identities. By enforcing controls directly at the AD authentication level, UserLock strengthens identity verification without adding complexity or frustrating users.

## Why zero trust in AD environments is challenging

Zero Trust models often assume a cloud-first identity architecture. 

But many organizations still rely on AD as the backbone of identity. The problem is, native AD doesn't offer the strong authentication and access controls that a zero trust strategy requires.

Common challenges include:

- Lack of visibility into on-premise login behavior
- Separate controls for internal and external network perimeters
- Complex integrations that increase IT workload and reduce user satisfaction

## How UserLock enforces Zero Trust identity security

Get modern identity and access management (IAM) for the on-prem AD identity. Simplify zero trust implementation, even in legacy or hybrid environments.

- Enforce granular MFA
- Set context-based access policies
- Get clear visibility on all access
- Block risky behavior

UserLock sits at the Active Directory authentication layer thanks to a custom Windows credential provider. Built for AD, UserLock allows IT to set access policies by AD user, group, and OU. 

**It’s easy to use, easy to scale, and keeps IT in control.**

## A complete solution for Zero Trust IAM

### Implement strong MFA

Keep strong authentication lightweight with granular [multi-factor authentication (MFA)](/userlock/features/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-active-directory) for all connections and UAC prompts. Control how and when to apply MFA for different AD users, groups, and OUs. Plus, set different prompt frequency for different session and connection types.

### Extend strong authentication to SaaS access

Enable single sign-on (SSO) for AD identities to extend on-prem authentication from local systems to SaaS resources. Users enter their password once at login, complete strong authentication, and gain access to SaaS apps.

### Set context-aware access controls

Set contextual access controls based on device, location, IP address, and working hours. Limit concurrent logins and simultaneous sessions to lower the risk of unauthorized access.

### Detect suspicious activity

Receive alerts on risky or unusual access activity. IT can block or logoff users remotely to stop threats.

### Monitor live and historic access

Get full visibility into every access attempt across the corporate network and SaaS resources.

### Report on all access

Track and report on user activity to simplify compliance reporting and IT forensics.

## Why IT security teams choose UserLock for zero trust identity

#### Apply MFA across all access

In a zero trust security framework, all access is privileged access. UserLock's granular MFA policies make it easy to roll out and live with strong authentication for all users.

#### Layer contextual access policies

Restrict logons by workstation, IP address, time of day, geolocation, or concurrent session count. Policies follow AD users, groups, and OUs, making setup easy and audits clean.

#### Built for legacy & locked-down environments

Implement zero trust architecture with your existing AD infrastructure. No need to rewire your identity infrastructure or to manage different solutions for on-prem and cloud IAM.

#### Remote access security

Apply MFA policies and session limits to Remote Desktop, RDP, VPN, and RemoteApp, closing common remote security gaps.

#### Instant visibility and response

See who logs on, where, and how in real time. Block, log off, or disable an account with one click the moment a session looks risky.

#### Prove compliance

Capture every successful or failed Windows login in tamper-proof, searchable logs. Report on user session history, MFA events, administrator actions, and more.