Secure Hybrid Identity for UK Public Sector Regulator
Modernising legacy Active Directory into a secure, governed Azure identity platform aligned to Microsoft security best practice. RCS embedded RBAC, automation, and resilience controls to strengthen audit readiness and reduce operational risk.
Public Sector (Regulatory)
>1,000 employees
Cloud Identity & Security Partner
The Challenge
A UK regulatory body maintained legacy on-premises Active Directory and messaging systems requiring modernisation and secure Azure integration. The organisation faced stringent regulatory demands regarding identity governance, resilience, and auditability. Leadership needed strengthened access controls, operational transparency, and service continuity while preserving regulatory function stability. The core objective involved transforming identity infrastructure into a secure, governed hybrid platform capable of supporting long-term digital growth.
The Approach
RCS restructured the on-premises Active Directory and extended identity services securely to Azure, establishing identity as a central source of truth with embedded governance and automation.
Key implementation elements:
- Secure hybrid identity architecture design and deployment
- Role-Based Access Control models for users and service accounts
- Infrastructure-as-Code for domain controller and platform deployments
- Automated build and deployment pipelines using Azure DevOps and Terraform
- Backup, disaster recovery, and Azure Site Recovery integration
- Enhanced auditing and logging aligned to regulatory requirements
The Outcome
The regulatory authority successfully transitioned to a modern, resilient hybrid identity platform:
- Centralised and standardised identity management
- Strengthened access control and least-privilege enforcement
- Improved audit readiness and traceability
- Enhanced resilience through automated recovery capabilities
- Reduced operational risk through codified infrastructure
Measurable Results
Hybrid identity platform standardisation across environments
Automated infrastructure deployment for domain services
Strengthened audit and compliance posture
Improved resilience through integrated disaster recovery
