For a company wanting to adopt Microsoft 365 and cloud storage, what should they install for authentication management?

The best choice for a company looking to adopt Microsoft 365 and manage authentication effectively is to implement Azure Active Directory (AAD). AAD serves as Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management solution designed specifically for modern cloud applications, including Microsoft 365 services.

Using AAD allows companies to manage user identities and create intelligence-driven access policies. It enables features such as single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and conditional access, which are essential for enhancing security and providing a seamless user experience across various Microsoft 365 applications.

Although options like Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) are available for managing federated identity in hybrid environments, AAD is more suited for organizations fully embracing cloud solutions. Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft SharePoint do play important roles within the Microsoft ecosystem but are not primarily focused on authentication management. AAD directly addresses the need for a scalable, cloud-compatible solution for identity management, which aligns with the company's intention to adopt cloud services.