| name | configuring-active-directory-tiered-model |
| description | Implement Microsoft's Enhanced Security Admin Environment (ESAE) tiered administration model for Active Directory, covering Tier 0/1/2 separation, privileged access workstations (PAWs), administrative forest design, and authentication policy silos. Use when designing or hardening AD privileged-access architecture, segmenting Domain/Enterprise Admin accounts into tiers, or containing lateral movement and credential theft (pass-the-hash, Kerberoasting, golden tickets). |
| 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"] |
| mitre_attack | ["T1078.002","T1550.002","T1550.003","T1003.001","T1021"] |
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
