Transitioning from Microsoft Entra Permissions Management to Delinea's PCCE: A New Era in Cloud Secu

In the fast-evolving world of cloud security, significant changes are on the horizon as Microsoft prepares to retire its Entra Permissions Management service on October 1, 2025. The looming discontinuation has set off a flurry of activity in the industry, and in a move that underscores the importance of robust cloud security, technology giant Microsoft has partnered with security specialist Delinea to ensure customers remain safeguarded in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

The End of an Era: Retirement of Entra Permissions Management​

Microsoft’s decision to retire its Entra Permissions Management service marks a pivotal moment for businesses that have long relied on the tool to regulate cloud access and manage digital identities. This decision likely stems from an industry-wide shift towards more advanced, integrated security solutions capable of navigating the intricate web of cloud-based entitlements.

• Microsoft’s retirement of the service is scheduled for October 1, 2025.
• The move reflects a broader trend in evolving cloud infrastructure and identity management solutions.
• Traditional tools are making way for platforms that leverage artificial intelligence to tackle emerging security challenges.

This service, which once served as a stalwart for managing permissions and entitlements in cloud environments, is now being edged out by solutions that address the explosion of human and machine identities driven by modern AI advancements. The push for a more cohesive security landscape necessitates tools that not only manage existing digital identities but also anticipate and neutralize potential vulnerabilities.

Delinea’s Strategic Entrance with PCCE​

Stepping in at this critical juncture is Delinea with its Privilege Control for Cloud Entitlements (PCCE) solution. Delinea’s move is not just a replacement; it represents a proactive strategy to enhance cloud security amidst today’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
Delinea has developed PCCE to provide businesses with an advanced platform for tracking and securing digital identities. Whether it’s an individual user or an automated system, PCCE is engineered to ensure that every access point to cloud services is monitored and protected. The solution is versatile, supporting major platforms such as:

• Microsoft Azure
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

By offering multi-cloud support, Delinea ensures that organizations operating in complex environments can maintain security posture without the friction of juggling disparate management systems. The partnership demonstrates Microsoft’s forward-looking security vision by aligning with a partner that brings specialized expertise in cloud entitlement management.

Enhancing Identity Security in the Age of AI​

At the heart of this development lies an acknowledgment of the new age of artificial intelligence and its impact on identity and access management. Art Gilliland, CEO at Delinea, highlighted this shift by noting how AI has fueled an unprecedented expansion in the number of both human and machine identities accessing public cloud infrastructures. This "explosion" has created an environment where traditional security models are no longer adequate.
Key considerations include:

• AI-driven systems are generating more complex patterns of access, making it challenging to monitor and secure every access point.
• Hybrid work environments, where cloud and on-premise solutions intersect, require dynamic security tools that evolve with emerging threats.
• Delinea’s PCCE is designed to not just track identities but to analyze patterns and flag anomalies in real-time, leveraging advanced analytics to foresee potential security issues.

This proactive approach to identity security is a response to the often overwhelming volume of access requests that modern cloud environments face. The ability to analyze and adapt to user behavior in real-time represents a leap forward from the static, permission-based models of the past.

What Does This Mean for Customers?​

For businesses accustomed to Microsoft’s Entra Permissions Management, the transition may seem daunting. However, Microsoft and Delinea have outlined a comprehensive support framework to guarantee a smooth migration. Dedicated teams from both companies will provide step-by-step guidance, ensuring that all aspects of the transition are carefully managed. This partnership is configured to minimize disruptions, allowing organizations to maintain continuity while upgrading to more sophisticated security measures.
Customers can expect:

• Detailed transition roadmaps outlining timeline and resource allocation.
• Hands-on support to integrate PCCE with existing cloud infrastructure.
• Comprehensive training and resources to maximize the benefits of the new tool.
• Regular updates and security advisories to keep pace with evolving threats.

The transition framework symbolizes a commitment not only to maintaining legacy support but also to enhancing the overall security posture of Microsoft’s customer base. With PCCE, organizations can enjoy a heightened state of security that scales with their growth and evolving needs.

Exploring Technical Capabilities: PCCE in Detail​

Delinea’s PCCE is built with several key technical features tailored for comprehensive cloud security management. These include:

• Automated tracking of cloud identities across multiple platforms.
• Real-time visibility and analytics for both human and machine identities.
• Advanced anomaly detection to preempt potential security breaches.
• Seamless integration with existing cloud infrastructure, ensuring that businesses do not experience a steep learning curve during transition.

To further illustrate the strengths of the new solution, consider the following comparison table:

Feature	Microsoft Entra Permissions Management	Delinea Privilege Control for Cloud Entitlements (PCCE)
Retirement Date	October 1, 2025	Actively supported through Delinea’s partnership
Scope of Management	Entra-centric identities	Comprehensive multi-cloud identity management
Transition Support	Legacy migration guidelines	Dedicated teams from Delinea and Microsoft
Feature Emphasis	Traditional permission management	Advanced analytics and real-time anomaly detection
Integration	Primarily within Microsoft ecosystem	Full support for Azure, AWS, and GCP

This table underscores the paradigm shift in security management from a static, tool-based model to a dynamic, integrated platform that anticipates and responds to modern threats. For IT managers accustomed to Windows environments, the importance of such transitional support cannot be overstated. Many enterprises using Windows-based systems are deeply integrated with Azure and other cloud platforms, making this shift particularly relevant.

Bridging the Gap: Transitioning from Legacy to Advanced Security​

The transition from Entra Permissions Management to Delinea’s PCCE isn’t just a change in technology—it's a fundamental shift in how businesses approach cloud security. Here are some critical aspects to consider as organizations navigate this transition:

• Strategic Planning: IT departments need to assess their current identity management frameworks and plan for integration well in advance of the retirement date.
• Training and Support: Transitioning to new systems always comes with a learning curve; hence, sponsoring detailed training programs and leveraging vendor support will be essential.
• Risk Remediation: With security threats constantly evolving, organizations must embrace new tools that not only match but exceed the capabilities of legacy systems.
• Continuous Improvement: Emphasizing a culture of security that leverages advanced analytics and real-time monitoring to stay ahead of emerging vulnerabilities.

By approaching the transition with a strategic mindset, organizations can not only mitigate risks but also turn this change into an opportunity to fortify their overall cybersecurity infrastructure.

The Broader Context: Cloud Security Trends and Cybersecurity Advisories​

The partnership between Microsoft and Delinea is reflective of a broader trend where cloud security is merging with next-generation tools driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning. As sophisticated cyber threats continue to emerge, the reliance on static models for identity management is rapidly becoming obsolete.
Cybersecurity advisories have repeatedly highlighted that legacy systems often fail to keep pace with the dynamic nature of modern threats. Emerging best practices in cloud security emphasize the need for systems that can:

• Provide continuous, real-time monitoring.
• Offer predictive analytics to forecast and prevent breaches.
• Scale seamlessly with growing enterprise demands.

Moreover, platforms like Delinea’s PCCE are setting new industry benchmarks by integrating these advanced features while maintaining ease-of-use for IT professionals. For Windows administrators and security managers, staying abreast of these changes is crucial to ensure that their infrastructure remains secure and compliant with the latest standards.

Integrating with the Windows Ecosystem​

An oft-overlooked aspect of this transition is its impact on Windows-based environments. Many organizations using Microsoft Azure for their Windows systems will find the transition especially beneficial, given the enhanced integration capabilities of PCCE with cloud services.

• Windows 11 updates and Microsoft security patches are regularly scheduled to work seamlessly with cloud services such as Azure.
• As organizations migrate their identity management solutions to PCCE, they can expect these changes to be reflected in broader security policies and infrastructure management tools.
• The ability to handle both on-premise and cloud-based identities in a unified manner means improved security posture across all facets of the IT environment.

This integration is particularly reassuring for IT professionals who rely on the Windows ecosystem for comprehensive security management. The enhanced analytical capabilities and real-time insights provided by PCCE will be invaluable in detecting vulnerabilities in a multi-layered organizational network.

Real-World Scenarios: Lessons from the Field​

The stakes are particularly high for large enterprises that manage thousands of digital identities daily. In one hypothetical scenario, consider a multinational corporation transitioning from Microsoft Entra Permissions Management to Delinea’s PCCE. The IT department faces the challenge of migrating sensitive identity management protocols while ensuring uninterrupted service across diverse clouds and on-premise systems.
Delinea’s dedicated teams work closely with the corporation to:

• Map out every digital identity, ensuring that no access points are overlooked.
• Analyze historical access logs to establish baseline behavior patterns.
• Deploy real-time monitoring systems to instantly detect deviations from these patterns.
• Provide ongoing training to the in-house IT staff to adapt to new interfaces and security protocols.

Such real-world applications underscore the importance of a seamless transition to cloud security tools that are designed to scale with the modern threat landscape.

Preparing for the Future: Strategic Recommendations for IT Managers​

For IT managers and security professionals, preparing for this transition involves a mix of proactive planning and reactive strategies. Here are some recommendations:

• Begin preliminary audits of your current digital identity landscape.
• Engage with vendor support teams early to understand the migration roadmap.
• Update security policies to accommodate the enhanced capabilities of multi-cloud solutions.
• Monitor cybersecurity advisories and industry news to stay informed about emerging threats and best practices.
• Consider pilot-testing Delinea’s PCCE in a controlled environment before a full-scale rollout.

Each of these steps will help organizations not only transition smoothly but also leverage the new capabilities to fortify their Long-Term security measures.

The Final Word: A New Chapter in Cloud Security​

The retirement of Microsoft Entra Permissions Management and the subsequent partnership with Delinea represent a significant turning point in cloud security. As IT professionals brace for this change, the collaboration reinforces a proactive approach to security—one that is adaptable, analytics-driven, and poised to tackle future challenges through advanced technology.
This cloud security shake-up is a clear signal that the era of static permission management is concluding, making way for dynamic, integrated solutions that can better serve the demands of modern enterprises. As Microsoft pivots toward innovation by partnering with proven security experts like Delinea, organizations across the board must prepare to embrace these changes.
Key takeaways include:

• Microsoft’s Entra Permissions Management will retire on October 1, 2025.
• Delinea’s PCCE offers a sophisticated, multi-cloud solution designed to secure identities on platforms like Azure, AWS, and GCP.
• The transition is supported by detailed roadmaps, dedicated teams, and comprehensive training initiatives.
• Enhanced security measures powered by AI and real-time analytics are at the forefront of this new approach.
• For Windows-based environments, the enhanced integration will optimize overall infrastructure security.

As this transformative period unfolds, the cloud security industry is likely to see additional innovations and partnerships, further reshaping the landscape. IT managers, cybersecurity enthusiasts, and enterprise decision-makers would do well to keep a close eye on upcoming developments and cybersecurity advisories. In an era where digital identities are as critical as physical ones, having the right tools in place can make all the difference.
In closing, this collaboration between Microsoft and Delinea not only ensures continuity for existing customers but also sets a benchmark for future cloud security solutions. As the realm of cloud computing continues to evolve, embracing such cutting-edge technologies and strategies will be essential to staying ahead of the ever-changing threat landscape.

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Source: Intelligent CISO Cloud security shake-up: Delinea steps in as Microsoft retires tool – Intelligent CISO