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How to Create a Security Group in the Exchange Admin Center: A Complete Guidance

Admin ~ Modified: July 5th, 2024 ~ Microsoft Exchange Server ~ 8 Minutes Reading

Summary: This blog is all about how to create a security group in the Exchange Admin Center.  Microsoft Exchange supports three types of active directory groups namely security groups, distribution groups & dynamic distribution groups.

In this article, we learned about

Further starting the topic, have a glance at Microsoft Exchange. In general, security is a big concern in any field. If talk about Exchange Admin Center(EAC), acts as an interface used in on-premises and online implementation. The main purpose of the EAC is to support admin for the smooth management of Exchange including access-control & other aspects. Additionally, Microsoft Exchange has three active directories – security groups, distribution groups & dynamic distribution groups. Each has distinct functionality and use within the Organization. 

Security Group: An Overview

In Exchange, A security group created by the admin of the organization is used to manage the permissions. Additionally, access is given to the selected person to whom the admin wants to grant it. In general, Users can add or remove automatically by configuring the security group which is based on:

  • User attributes – department, location, and title.
  • Device attributes – operating system version, mobile management services.

The main purpose of creating the security group is to distribute messages and allow access.

In  message distribution

  • It makes use of a mail-enabled security group.
  • It is used to send emails delivered to all members belonging to the group.

In Access control

  • It also uses mail-enabled security groups to allow permission to mailboxes, calendars, and other resources.

Before knowing the steps of how to create a security group in the exchange admin center, be aware of the benefits of using a security group.

Read More: Exchange On-Premise vs Exchange Online: Prime Differences

Benefits Of Using Security Groups in Exchange

Security group serves several benefits some of which are as follows:

  • Resources Access Control – By using a security group you can manage the access control to the precious resource so that the limited person with rights has permission to access.
  • Easy Security – Access for the group members in bulk can be easier and time reduction will also reduce as permission is granted to users. 
  • Productive Results – Collaboration of different team members working on the same project can be done. By grouping resource sharing is easy and working efficiency increases which results in productive results.

Now let’s focus on how to create a security group in the exchange admin center.

Step to Create a Security Group in the Exchange Admin Center

Before you start creating a security group, you make sure about.

  1. You are the global admin of the  Exchange Admin center.
  2. Users can also create, edit, or delete if permission is granted by the admin.

Now start with the following step to create a security group in the exchange admin center.

  • Step 1. Visit Microsoft Office 365 site by using any browser however use this link to visit Office 365 login.
  • Step 2. Sign in with your Microsoft admin ID and Password.
  • Step 3. After signing in, go to the Admin Center.
  • Step 4. Select the Exchange from the list of Admin centers.
  • Step 5. In Exchange, you need to navigate to the recipient.
  • Step 6. Select the Group option.
  • Step 7. Click on Plus + to create a new security group from the drop-down menu.
  • Step 8. For Creating the group you need to fill in some mandatory * star marked options.
  • Step 9. Display name* ,Alias* ,Notes  ,Organization Unit ,Owner*  and Members 
  • Step 10. When you have filled in all the information Click on Save.

Hope you have created a security group in the Exchange admin center & now you need to add owners or members to a security group. 

Step to Add Members Or Owners to a Security Group in the Exchange Admin Center

Every group consists of one owner who created the group. The owner has the right to add members, remove members, edit the settings & delete the security group.

  • To add the Owner following steps are taken.
  1. Repeat the above Steps To Create A Security Group In The Exchange Admin Center.
  2. When you have the option to fill Owner then click on Add +.
  3. A dialog box appears to select the Owner.
  4. Select One or More as you wish.
  5. Click Add and OK.
  • To add Members following steps are taken.
  1. Repeat the above Steps To Create A Security Group In The Exchange Admin Center.
  2. When you have the option to fill in the Member then click on Add +.
  3. A dialog box appears to Select  Members.
  4. Select One or More  Members as you wish.
  5. Click Add and OK.

After following these steps as a result your Microsoft Exchange security group owner and member are created successfully. 

If you want to Remove members from the created security group in the Exchange admin center you need to follow these mentioned steps.

Steps to Remove Owner or Members from the Security Group in the Exchange Admin Center

  •  The following steps are taken to remove the Owner.
  1. Repeat the above Steps To Create A Security Group In The Exchange Admin Center.
  2. On the Owner section select the owner present in the list.
  3. Click on Remove – and OK.
  • The following steps are taken to remove the Members.
  1. Repeat the above Steps To Create A Security Group In The Exchange Admin Center.
  2. On the Member section select the Members from the list.
  3. Click on Remove – and OK.

There is a checkbox from where you can add the group owner as a member, if not deselect the checkbox. Moreover, approval from the owner is mandatory for adding and removing from the mail-enabled security group. It depends on the checkbox condition.

Best Practices for Microsoft Exchange Security Group Creation 

The group’s name should determine the role and purpose of creating that group. Make sure to keep group members updated by checking them regularly. There should be a finite number of groups to manage them efficiently. And assigning them the access and permissions carefully to avoid access to important documents.  

First Migration and don’t know how to do it this guide will help you to migrate your data efficiently 

Read More: How to Migrate Exchange Server 2013 to Office 365 – Most Sophisticated Way

Storyline

There are several reasons you may need to move your group data. One of the reasons is completion of the project for which the group was created, compliance, and more. However, If you delete the group but want to save the data, emails, and other tasks in the group you need to migrate the group. 

If you want to shift your entire Exchange Exchange 2013, 2016, and 2019 on-premise Emails, Calendar, Contacts & Security group data specially from one place to another without any data loss and efficiently. You need to use any automated software that comes on the market for this migration task. One of them is named Migrator Wizard Exchange Migration

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Some of the key factors of the tool are as follows:

  • From the source exchange server, you can migrate the Group Calendar.
  • Make use of CSV mapping to map the event attendees.
  • You can easily migrate the data items like Email, Contacts, and Calendar and can add filters to them.
  • Some of the options are: Delta migration is used to migrate new data that arrived during the migration. Retry for failed items and Re-run to restart the whole migration.
  • Dashboard access for the result and to look at ongoing processes and used for tracking.
  • Detailed report in CSV format.

Read More: How to Migrate Exchange Mailbox to Office 365? Top 5 Ways

Final Thoughts

With the above-mentioned steps, you can create and add an owner or member to the security group. The Exchange Admin Center works as a web-based management Console. It is used to manage permission & access granted to the members. Moreover, If you want to migrate from one group to another you can use the professional automated software. There is no such tool provided by Microsoft for migrating. Hope this blog is beneficial for the user who is eager to know How to create a security group in the Exchange Admin Center.

Commonly Asked Question

Que) Why the name of the Security Group be unique?
Ans) The name of the Security Group should be unique so that there is no confusion and each group has its own distinct identity.
Que) What is the difference between a Security Group and a Distribution Group?
Ans) The Security Group is used to manage the specific permissions and access rights while the Distribution Group is used for the email distribution.
Que) What permissions are required to create a security group?
Ans) For creating the security group you need the Exchange Organization Management role or its equivalent permissions.