`Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft that provides centralized management and control over user identities, roles, and access to resources within an organization. Integration with Active Directory ensures that information and actions are aligned with users’ roles and responsibilities, facilitating consistent application of corporate governance policies. By giving data owners control over their data while maintaining adherence to company policies, Active Directory enhances standardization and security across the organization.
Introduced with Windows 2000 Server, Active Directory plays a foundational role in enterprise IT infrastructure, ensuring that only authorized users have access to specific resources — while enforcing security policies and facilitating compliance.`