In the world of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Business Central, efficiency, precision and adaptability play a central role. An important aspect is access control, which is controlled by security groups and authorization sets. Both methods have their merits, but choosing the right solution can be crucial to realizing the full potential of the systems. In this article, we explain the differences and why one solution can offer more flexibility and control.
What are authorization sets and security groups?
Authorization Sets
Permission sets are a feature in Business Central that allows you to define access to specific data, processes and functions in the software. They offer granular control, but often require a lot of time and effort to manage – especially in larger organizations
Secruity Groups
Security groups originate from the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and are controlled via Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure Active Directory). They provide a centralized way to manage user groups and assign permissions efficiently, especially in combination with applications such as Dynamics 365.
How the process works
- Creating the secruity group
A new security group is created in the Microsoft Entra admin portal and named accordingly.
- Assigning members
Users or other groups can be added to the security group. This allows access levels to be controlled centrally without having to make settings for each individual user.
- Assignment of authorizations
Specific authorizations or roles are assigned to the security group in the respective application (e.g. Dynamics 365 Business Central). These authorizations then automatically apply to all members of the group.
- Automatic synchronization
Changes in the group, such as the addition or removal of users, are automatically transferred to the authorization structures.
- Simple integration
Security groups integrate seamlessly with Dynamics 365 and other Microsoft applications, reducing the administrative burden.
The direct comparison
| Criteria | Authorization Sets | Secruity Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | Local in Business Central | Central via Business Central |
| Access level | Granular entity and object rights. | Group-based, standardized rights. |
| Scalability | Time-consuming with many users or roles. | High scalability through group assignments. |
| Integration | Only for Dynamics and Business Central. | Comprehensive for all Azure services. |
| Secruity management | No central controlle over external Tools. | Integrated into Azure security measures. |
| Susceptibility to errors | High probability of configuration errors. | Standardized and therefore less prone to errors. |
Security groups in focus: when they can be the better choice
- Simplicity and scalability:
With security groups, you have a central point of contact for managing access rights – whether in Business Central, SharePoint or Teams. This saves time and reduces errors.
- Central administration via Entra ID:
Because security groups are created directly in Microsoft Entra, they benefit from the cloud’s extensive security features, such as multi-factor authentication and conditional acc
- Better integration:
Security groups are ideal if users not only use Dynamics 365 or Business Central, but also other applications such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint or Teams. A group can be defined once and used for multiple services.
- Reduction of error sources:
Authorization sets require detailed manual configuration, which increases the risk of errors. Security groups offer standardized administration through user assignment outside of Business Central.
What advantage do authorization rates offer?
Although security groups offer many advantages, authorization sets are indispensable when it comes to assigning special rights to individual users. Although this would also be possible via security groups, it does not always make sense.
Conclusion: Take the next step!
Authorization sets still have their place, especially in certain scenarios and for smaller companies. Nevertheless, security groups are ideal when it comes to controlling permissions at group level while ensuring central, uniform administration. They provide a powerful foundation for efficient authorization management across the entire Microsoft ecosystem.
Are you ready to improve your authorization management and take your company to the next level? Our experts will be happy to advise you and show you how you can achieve more with the right tools.
