If your organization is still manually creating user accounts or managing identity changes between HR and IT, it’s time to modernize. Manual provisioning slows down onboarding, introduces security risks, and strains IT teams.
With Microsoft’s Workday to Entra ID provisioning application, powered by the SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) protocol, you can automate identity at the source: HR.
At RBA, we help organizations deploy this capability with a secure, scalable, and policy-aligned approach to identity lifecycle management.
What Is SCIM-Based Provisioning from Workday?
SCIM is an open standard for automated, secure identity provisioning across systems. In this model:
- Workday serves as the system of record for user identities.
- Entra ID manages access to Microsoft 365 and enterprise applications.
Microsoft’s native Workday to Entra ID provisioning app uses SCIM to:
- Automatically create and update users based on HR events (hire, promotion, role change, termination)
- Synchronize key attributes like job title, department, and manager
- Trigger automatic deprovisioning when employees leave
- Support hybrid or cloud-only identity models
This integration lays the foundation for organizations aiming to improve security, streamline operations, and move toward a Zero Trust strategy.
Challenges Without SCIM Provisioning
When HR and IT systems aren’t integrated, organizations face:
| Challenge | Risk/Impact |
| Manual account provisioning | Delayed Day One access, compliance gaps |
| Disconnected systems of record | Inconsistent job titles, departments, manager data |
| Delayed offboarding | Former employees retaining access |
| Audit gaps | Increased operational risk and failed controls |
Automated provisioning eliminates these risks while improving efficiency, security, and data consistency.
How RBA Helps with Workday to Entra ID Integration
Deploying the provisioning app is only step one. RBA designs and delivers end-to-end identity lifecycle solutions tailored to your business:
- Attribute Mapping & Standardization
- Define clean, consistent data mappings between Workday and Entra ID.
- Eliminate mismatched job titles and missing department data.
- System of Record Strategy
- Decide which fields stay in Workday (job title, department) vs. Entra ID (proxy addresses).
- Apply writeback rules where needed (e.g., preferred name from Entra ID to Workday).
- Secure, Least-Privilege Execution
- Configure the provisioning app with hardened permissions, scoped access, and secure service accounts.
- Lifecycle Integration
- Align to joiner-mover-leaver processes.
- Ensure promotions, transfers, and terminations trigger the right access changes automatically.
Real-World Results with SCIM Provisioning
Organizations that partner with RBA see measurable improvements:
- Faster onboarding with Day One access automatically provisioned
- Lower IT overhead by eliminating manual provisioning tasks
- Cleaner identity data for improved audits and compliance
- Stronger security posture with prompt deprovisioning
When to Consider Workday-to-Entra ID Provisioning
This approach is a fit if your organization:
- Uses Workday as your HR system of record
- Manages identities in Entra ID / Microsoft 365
- Needs to automate account creation and updates
- Is preparing for Zero Trust, governance, or compliance audits
Not using Workday? RBA can help evaluate your HCM platform and implement a third-party SCIM bridge where needed.
Get Future-Ready Identity Management with RBA
RBA helps enterprises across finance, healthcare, education, and the public sector align HR and IT with SCIM-based identity provisioning.
- Expert-led design and deployment
- A resilient attribute model and mapping strategy
- Alignment with security, governance, and compliance goals
Let’s start the conversation today.
About the Author
Cody Billings
Senior Principal
With nearly 30 years of experience in IT, I specialize in applying technology to solve complex business challenges; balancing strategy with execution to drive meaningful outcomes. Having worked on both the client and consulting sides, I bring a unique perspective on what makes technology initiatives successful.
I focus on cloud security, identity management, governance strategy, and infrastructure architecture, helping organizations modernize securely while navigating mergers, acquisitions, and digital transformations. My expertise lies in designing scalable solutions that align with business objectives, ensuring security, compliance, and operational efficiency.
As a Managing Principal and Partner at RBA, I lead security and governance initiatives, leveraging Microsoft 365, Zero Trust principles, and cloud-first strategies to enhance resilience and agility. I take pride in mentoring teams, refining security postures, and enabling organizations to make informed decisions about their technology investments.