Understanding External users permissions in Entra including Graph API Integration

Entra, a comprehensive identity and access management platform, empowers organizations to manage external identities seamlessly. External identities in Entra extend beyond the traditional boundaries of an organization, allowing for the inclusion of external users such as partners, vendors, and customers. To harness the full potential of external identities, developers need to navigate permissions, leverage the Graph API, and retrieve the application ID.

?

Permissions for External Identities

1. User.Read.All: Enables reading all users' full profiles, including external identities.

2. User.Invite.All: Authorizes the creation of invitations for external users.

3. User.ReadWrite.All: Grants the ability to read and modify user profiles, essential for managing external identities.

These permissions ensure a robust foundation for managing external users within Entra.

?

Graph API Examples for External Identities

Retrieve External User Information

? ?GET /v1.0/users/{externalUserId}        

This endpoint fetches detailed information about a specific external user, providing insights into their identity and attributes.

?

Invite External User

? ?POST /v1.0/invitations        

Developers can invite external users by creating invitations through this API endpoint, specifying necessary details like email and user type.

?

List All External Users

? ?GET /v1.0/users        

This endpoint returns a list of all users, allowing developers to filter and identify external identities among the results.

?

Application ID Retrieval?

To obtain the Application ID for your Entra integration, follow these steps:

• Navigate to Azure ADAccess the Azure Active Directory portal associated with your Entra account.
• App RegistrationsIn the portal, go to "App registrations" to view a list of registered applications.
• Select Your ApplicationIdentify and click on the application associated with your Entra integration.
• Retrieve Application ID:The Application ID, also known as the Client ID, can be found on the application's overview page.

?

Best Practices for Developers

• Securely Store CredentialsEnsure that sensitive information such as client secrets and application IDs are securely stored. Use secure vaults or key management services.

?

• Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)Leverage RBAC within Entra to control access and permissions based on roles, ensuring a principle of least privilege.

?

• Regularly Review and Update PermissionsPeriodically review and update permissions to align with the evolving needs of your application and organization.

?

By understanding the necessary permissions, utilizing Graph API examples, and obtaining the Application ID, developers can seamlessly integrate and manage external identities within Entra, unlocking the full potential of identity and access management in a collaborative ecosystem.