Microsoft Entra moves hybrid groups cloud native

Key insights

• The video focuses on migrating hybrid Active Directory groups to cloud-native Microsoft Entra ID.
• It explains the Source of Authority (SOA) attribute and how SOA flipping works.
• The demo includes changing the group SOA record and verifying the change.
• Microsoft Graph Explorer is introduced as a way to inspect and manage Entra ID objects.
• The video points viewers to Microsoft Learn documentation for configuring group source of authority.

Andy Malone [MVP] recently published a step-by-step video on migrating hybrid Active Directory groups to cloud-native Microsoft Entra ID groups. The core takeaway is simple: the video shows how to change a group’s Source of Authority, or SOA, so control moves away from on-premises Active Directory and into the cloud. It is aimed at people who want to modernize hybrid identity without jumping straight to a full replacement of their existing setup.

The description says this is the first video in a new deep-dive series, and it focuses on how SOA flipping works, how to verify the change, and what to think about before reducing dependency on Active Directory. Andy also introduces Microsoft Graph Explorer and uses it in the context of managing and inspecting Microsoft Entra ID objects. Microsoft Learn documentation for configuring group source of authority is linked alongside the video.

What's new

The main topic is group Source of Authority conversion in Microsoft Entra ID. In the video, Andy explains what the Source of Authority attribute means and how hybrid group SOA works. He then shows how hybrid groups can be converted so that they become cloud-native and managed in Microsoft Entra ID rather than on-premises Active Directory.

The material also brings in Microsoft Graph Explorer. According to the description, it is used to manage and inspect Microsoft Entra ID objects, and the video includes a demo of changing the group SOA record. That makes the session useful for readers who want both the concept and a practical check on the result.

Why it matters

This matters most for identity administrators and consultants who are planning a gradual move away from on-premises Active Directory. The video frames SOA conversion as part of a journey toward a fully cloud-native Microsoft Entra ID environment, rather than a sudden switch. That is important because many organizations still need hybrid identity while they modernize.

The description also says the topic is relevant for anyone who wants to modernize a hybrid identity environment or reduce dependency on Active Directory. For daily work, that means some group management can move into the cloud, while organizations still consider how existing applications and directory dependencies will be handled. The linked Microsoft Learn page covers how to configure group source of authority, which suggests this is a guided admin task rather than a casual end-user feature.

The research notes add an important boundary: the cloud-native approach can still preserve compatibility with some on-premises applications by provisioning cloud-managed groups and memberships back to Active Directory when needed. That makes the change more relevant for organizations with mixed workloads than for cloud-only environments alone.

How it works

Based on the source material, the workflow is presented as a sequence of concepts and a demo:

1. Understand what the Source of Authority attribute means for a hybrid group.
2. Identify how hybrid group SOA works when groups are synchronized from on-premises Active Directory.
3. Change the SOA so the group is managed in Microsoft Entra ID.
4. Use Microsoft Graph Explorer to inspect Microsoft Entra ID objects and help confirm the change.
5. Verify that the Source of Authority has changed.

The description also says the video includes a segment called “DEMO – Changing the Group SOA Record,” which suggests the practical part centers on updating the group record and checking the result afterward. The research notes explain the broader pattern: the control plane moves to Microsoft Entra ID, while provisioning or writeback can keep groups usable for on-premises applications if that is still required.

Microsoft’s guidance in the research notes further distinguishes between group scenarios. Cloud-only security groups can be converted and managed entirely in Microsoft Entra ID, while groups still needed by on-premises applications may be cloud-managed and provisioned back to AD DS. Distribution lists and mail-enabled security groups have their own conditions and are tied to Exchange transition guidance.

Limitations and open questions

The published material does not spell out every prerequisite, permission, or exact admin sequence used in the demo. It also does not say which tenants, licenses, or rollout stages apply to the feature discussed in the video. Because of that, readers should treat the video as a guided introduction rather than a complete implementation checklist.

The source also does not provide full detail on the differences between group types in the video itself. The research notes mention cloud-only security groups, groups that must remain compatible with on-premises applications, and the special case of distribution lists and mail-enabled security groups, but those distinctions are not expanded in the transcript. The material points to Microsoft Learn for the configuration details, which is where those missing steps would need to be confirmed.

One more limitation is that the video description says what you will learn, but it does not include the actual on-screen commands or API calls. Microsoft Graph Explorer is named, but the exact queries or screens used are not listed. Readers who want to reproduce the process will need to rely on the documentation and the video itself for the live demo details.

Sources

• Andy Malone [MVP] video: Migrating Hybrid Groups to Entra ID Cloud Native Made Easy!
• Microsoft Learn: Configure group source of authority

Frequently asked questions

What is the main point of the video?

It shows how to migrate hybrid Active Directory groups to cloud-native Microsoft Entra ID groups by changing the Source of Authority.

What is Microsoft Graph Explorer used for here?

The description says it is introduced to manage and inspect Microsoft Entra ID objects, and the demo uses it while verifying the SOA change.

Does the material say this is a full migration away from Active Directory?

No. It says the video helps people reduce dependency on on-premises Active Directory and move toward cloud-native identity, but it does not claim every dependency is removed.

Does the source explain every step in detail?

No. It lists the learning goals and mentions a demo, but the exact commands and prerequisites are not fully described in the published text.