Authors: Sneha Saxena
Abstract: The rapid adoption of hybrid cloud architectures has created both opportunities and challenges for enterprise IT security. While hybrid models provide scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency, they also expand the attack surface and complicate identity and access management. Fragmented authentication systems, inconsistent policies, and dispersed workloads increase risks of unauthorized access, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance. This review examines the strategic role of LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) and Active Directory (AD) in mitigating these risks. It explores how centralized identity management enables consistent authentication, role-based access control, and audit-ready logging across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS environments. The article discusses integration strategies with modern platforms, technical approaches for federation and synchronization, and compliance considerations aligned with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS standards. Case studies from financial services, healthcare, and government illustrate practical benefits and best practices, including multi-factor authentication, Single Sign-On, and automated identity lifecycle management. The findings demonstrate that LDAP/AD integration is critical for hybrid cloud security, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, while positioning organizations to adopt emerging technologies such as AI-driven identity analytics and Zero Trust frameworks.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17139902
