SMALL FOOTPRINT · HIGH SECURITY EXPECTATION

Start with one server and an integrated CA—not with unnecessary complexity.

A compact SYNRION x.ID deployment connects on-premises Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID to hardware evidence, policy, PIV and FIDO2 lifecycle control. The security model can grow without discarding the starting point.

VALUE IN 30 SECONDS

A small deployment can still follow a complete trust process.

01

One protected starting point

x.ID, the integrated CA and the LDAP and Azure connectors can start in a deliberately compact deployment.

02

The full identity lifecycle

Hardware verification, assignment, PIV, FIDO2, policy, loss response and evidence are not postponed until “enterprise later”.

03

A path beyond the first server

Additional CAs, domains, forests, sites and Outposts can be connected as the organization grows.

START COMPACT · KEEP THE CONTROL MODEL

What does a sensible first x.ID deployment need?

The first architecture should be small enough to operate and complete enough to remain trustworthy. It must also preserve a clear extension path rather than becoming a disposable pilot.

  1. 01

    Define the first identity use case

    Choose a bounded population and a concrete use case such as PIV certificate authentication, FIDO2 enrolment or a controlled administrative identity.

  2. 02

    Deploy one protected x.ID server

    Operate the portal, lifecycle services and the required integration components on a compact, controlled server footprint.

  3. 03

    Use the integrated CA for the first PKI path

    Issue the certificates required for the initial use case without first building a separate multi-tier CA environment.

  4. 04

    Connect Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID directly

    Include on-premises users and computers through the LDAP Connector and connect cloud identities directly to Microsoft Entra ID through the native Azure Connector.

  5. 05

    Bind hardware, identity and policy

    Register supported security keys, assign accountable identities and enforce the required approval and attestation rules before issue.

  6. 06

    Prove operation and recovery

    Test normal issue, renewal, lost-key response, revocation and replacement before expanding the rollout.

  7. 07

    Extend instead of rebuilding

    Add further domains, forests, CAs, locations and Outposts while retaining the same identities, policies and lifecycle evidence.

THE ARCHITECTURE AT A GLANCE

Even the compact starting point connects both directory worlds: AD certificate publication and strong SKI mapping on one side, native Entra, FIDO2 and CBA processes on the other.

Compact architecture diagram with one protected SYNRION x.ID server, integrated CA, on-premises Active Directory through the LDAP Connector, Microsoft Entra ID through the native Azure Connector, security keys and PIV and FIDO2 use cases.
Even the compact starting point connects both directory worlds: AD certificate publication and strong SKI mapping on one side, native Entra, FIDO2 and CBA processes on the other.

TECHNICAL DEPTH

Compact does not mean incomplete.

The deployment reduces infrastructure, not the required trust decisions. These technical boundaries remain important from the first use case.

Integrated CA
A CA included in the compact deployment can issue certificates for the defined starting scope. Its trust, protection, validity profiles, revocation and backup must still be operated deliberately.
OIDC authentication
OIDC can provide portal authentication and connect the user session to a verified identity source without making a local shared account the operating model.
LDAP Connector for Active Directory
The on-premises AD path reads the required identity context and publishes the PIV certificate to userCertificate. For strong certificate mapping, x.ID can maintain X509: in altSecurityIdentities and include the SID extension in the certificate request.
Native Azure Connector for Microsoft Entra ID
The Azure Connector addresses Microsoft Entra ID directly and does not require indirect AD synchronization. It brings Entra identity, FIDO2/passkey preregistration and, for Entra CBA, certificateUserIds into the lifecycle.
PIV and FIDO2
Certificate-based PIV use and phishing-resistant FIDO2/passkey use are separate protocols. x.ID connects them to the same accountable hardware and identity lifecycle.
Agent and agentless targets
Depending on the target system, x.ID can work with a connected client or an agentless integration path. The selected method remains explicit in the architecture.

EVIDENCE & BOUNDARIES

What the first rollout should demonstrate.

A successful start proves the operating model, not only the installation.

Available

Controlled enrolment

Identity, hardware and policy are evaluated before credentials become active.

Available

Recoverable lifecycle

Renewal, loss, revocation and replacement are tested alongside initial issue.

Available

Documented growth path

The next CA, directory, site or outpost can be added without replacing the lifecycle concept.

Available

Directory state from day one

AD publication, strong SKI mapping and native Entra state remain connected to the hardware, identity and credential.

THE NEXT CONTROLLED STEP

Start with the smallest deployment that can be operated securely.

We will define a bounded first use case, the required trust controls and a growth path that fits your existing infrastructure.

Discuss the architecture