AZ-204 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure Exam

Configure Authentication with the Microsoft Identity Platform

Microsoft Identity Platform provides a cloud-based service for authentication and authorization, using Azure Active Directory. It centralizes identity management in one place. The platform supports industry-standard protocols such as OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect. By using these protocols, you can create single sign-on experiences across web apps, mobile apps, and APIs.

To get started, you begin by registering your application in Azure AD. This process generates several important values:

• Application (client) ID
• Redirect URI
• Optional client secret You also set supported account types and consent settings, which define who can sign in and what resources the app can access.

Developers should use the Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL) instead of hand-coding protocol calls. MSAL handles token caching, conditional access, and maintains single sign-on across platforms. It also supports token refresh and brokered authentication automatically. Common OAuth 2.0 grant flows include:

• Authorization code with PKCE for SPAs and mobile apps
• Client credentials for service-to-service calls
• On-behalf-of (OBO) for APIs that call other APIs on a user’s behalf

Following security best practices is crucial for keeping applications safe. Request only the least privilege permissions and use scopes to limit access. Always validate tokens at every step, using ID tokens for user info and access tokens for resource access. Protect credentials with Azure Key Vault or managed identities and rotate them regularly. Finally, configure Conditional Access policies to enforce multifactor authentication and device compliance.

Conclusion

Microsoft Identity Platform and Azure Active Directory work together to handle user sign-in and permissions in a consistent way. They rely on OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect to securely authenticate and authorize users. By using a single identity provider, apps can share user sessions and reduce repeated sign-ins across different services. This approach simplifies identity management and improves user experience.

When you register your application in Azure AD, you establish a trust relationship that produces an Application (client) ID, a redirect URI, and optional credentials. Using the Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL) makes it easy to handle tokens, manage sessions, and integrate common grant flows like authorization code, client credentials, and on-behalf-of. These tools help developers focus on app logic instead of the complexity of auth protocols.

Securing your app means following least privilege principles, validating every token, and using Azure Key Vault or managed identities to store secrets. You should also set up Conditional Access to require multifactor checks and ensure device compliance. By combining these elements, you can build a secure identity solution that scales with your application’s needs.