Before users gain access to the Azure portal, they must be what?

In order for users to access the Azure portal, they must be authenticated first. Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user, such as by using a password or multifactor authentication. Successful authentication ensures that the user is who they claim to be before allowing them access to resources, such as the Azure portal.

Once a user is authenticated, they can then be authorized, which involves the process of granting permissions to access specific resources or services. However, authentication is the crucial first step that must occur before any other actions can take place. Therefore, to enter the Azure portal, users must have their identities verified through the authentication process. This foundation is essential to establishing a secure environment in Microsoft Azure, ensuring that only legitimate users can access sensitive cloud resources.