As of the 11th March 2025 Microsoft has announced an important hardening update for Microsoft Entra Connect Sync that will come into effect on the 7th of April 2025. This update follows the release of new versions (2.4.xx.0) in October 2024, which aim to enhance the security and reliability of the service. Here, organizations using Microsoft Entra Connect Sync can find critical information regarding expected impacts, non-impacted functionalities, and upgrade recommendations.
Expected Impacts of the Update
Organizations that have not upgraded to the minimum required version by the April 7th deadline will face significant disruptions. The following functionalities will be affected:
- Authentication Failures: All authentication requests made to Entra ID through the Connect Sync wizard will fail, affecting capabilities such as schema refresh, staging mode configuration, and user sign-in alterations.
- ADFS Configuration Issues: The configuration of Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) scenarios via the Connect Sync wizard will be inoperable.
- PingFederate Scenarios: Customers will likewise experience complications when configuring PingFederate scenarios using the Connect Sync wizard.
What Won’t Be Impacted
On a positive note, users can expect certain functionalities to continue without interruption, including:
- Sync Service Operations: The sync service will continue to run as expected, ensuring that changes proceed to sync to Entra.
- Upgrade Capability: Organizations will retain the ability to upgrade their Entra Connect Sync instance post-deadline. Although certain changes requiring Entra ID sign-in will be temporarily disabled until the upgrade, the option for restoration is available once users upgrade.
Minimum Version Requirements
To avert any service disruptions, the following minimum version requirements must be met by April 7, 2025:
- Commercial Cloud Customers: Version 2.4.18.0 or higher is required.
- Non-Commercial Cloud Customers: Version 2.4.21.0 or higher is necessary.
It is crucial for organizations to familiarize themselves with these minimum requirements, which include Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 and .NET 4.7.2. Moreover, those utilizing the autoupgrade feature can simplify the upgrade process, as Microsoft occasionally performs autoupgrades for customers on version 2.3.20.0 or higher.
Consider Transitioning to Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync
Microsoft encourages organizations to evaluate a migration from Microsoft Entra Connect Sync to Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync, particularly those eligible for the transition. Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync operates from the cloud, allowing customers to manage their sync preferences online and benefiting from new features designed to enhance the sync experience.
When to Use Microsoft Entra Connect Sync versus Cloud Sync
Use Microsoft Entra Connect Sync when:
- The organization has a straightforward setup with a single or multiple on-premises Active Directory forests.
- There is no need for advanced features like group writeback or support for disconnected forests.
- Easy installation on a Domain Controller is required, maintaining simplicity in management.
Use Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync when:
- The organization requires support for multiple disconnected on-premises AD forests.
- A lightweight agent installation model and high availability through multiple active agents are desirable.
- Features such as group writeback, advanced filtering capabilities, and on-demand provisioning are essential for business operations.
In summary, while Microsoft Entra Connect is a robust solution for basic synchronization needs, Cloud Sync offers enhanced capabilities for organizations looking to scale and adapt to a more complex environment.
Personal Perspective And Conclusion
From a personal standpoint, I have had hands-on experience testing Cloud Sync some time ago, and I found the interface to be somewhat less logical compared to Connect Sync. While Cloud Sync offers several advanced features that could significantly benefit an organization, the usability aspect should not be overlooked. The intuitive design and streamlined experience of Microsoft Entra Connect made it easier for me to navigate and leverage its capabilities.
Nonetheless, it’s clear that Cloud Sync is evolving and may meet the demands of organizations requiring enhanced functionality and flexibility. For those ready to embrace the cloud, Cloud Sync indeed presents a forward-looking solution to identity and synchronization challenges. Transitioning to this platform could provide the needed scalability and features for a growing enterprise, as long as users are willing to invest time in adapting to its interface and functionalities.
Organizations utilizing Microsoft Entra Connect Sync must prioritize upgrading to the required versions by the 7th April 2025 to ensure uninterrupted service and leverage enhanced security measures. Understanding the implications of this hardening update is crucial for effective operational continuity and security management.
Source: Hardening update to Microsoft Entra Connect Sync from April 7, 2025