By name: configuring-active-directory-tiered-model description: Implement Microsoft's Enhanced Security Admin Environment (ESAE) tiered administration model for Active Directory. Covers Tier 0/1/2 separation, privileged access workstations (PAWs), administrative f domain: cybersecurity subdomain: identity-access-management tags:
- iam
- identity
- access-control
- active-directory
- tiered-model
- paw
- esae version: '1.0' author: mahipal license: Apache-2.0 nist_csf:
- PR.AA-01
- PR.AA-02
- PR.AA-05
- PR.AA-06
Configuring Active Directory Tiered Model
Overview
Implement Microsoft's Enhanced Security Admin Environment (ESAE) tiered administration model for Active Directory. Covers Tier 0/1/2 separation, privileged access workstations (PAWs), administrative forest design, authentication policy silos, and credential theft mitigation.
When to Use
- When deploying or configuring configuring active directory tiered model capabilities in your environment
- When establishing security controls aligned to compliance requirements
- When building or improving security architecture for this domain
- When conducting security assessments that require this implementation
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with identity access management concepts and tools
- Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
- Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
- Appropriate authorization for any testing activities
Objectives
- Implement comprehensive configuring active directory tiered model capability
- Establish automated discovery and monitoring processes
- Integrate with enterprise IAM and security tools
- Generate compliance-ready documentation and reports
- Align with NIST 800-53 access control requirements
Security Controls
| Control | NIST 800-53 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Account Management | AC-2 | Lifecycle management |
| Access Enforcement | AC-3 | Policy-based access control |
| Least Privilege | AC-6 | Minimum necessary permissions |
| Audit Logging | AU-3 | Authentication and access events |
| Identification | IA-2 | User and service identification |
Verification
- Implementation tested in non-production environment
- Security policies configured and enforced
- Audit logging enabled and forwarding to SIEM
- Documentation and runbooks complete
- Compliance evidence generated
When NOT to Use
- You need to implement from scratch (use implementing-* skills)
- Task is about testing the configuration (use performing-* skills)
- You need to analyze misconfigurations (use analyzing-* skills)
- Task is about building automation (use building-* skills)
- You don't have admin access to the system
- Task requires vendor professional services
Red Flags
- Performing actions without explicit written authorization from the asset owner
- Testing against production systems without a defined scope and rules of engagement
- Treating compliance checklists as security guarantees rather than minimum baselines
- Failing to document exceptions and risk acceptance decisions
- Relying on point-in-time audits instead of continuous monitoring
Process
- Analyze the task requirements
- Apply domain expertise
- Verify output quality