What is the primary benefit of Active Directory Integrated Zones?

The primary benefit of Active Directory Integrated Zones is secure replication. When DNS zones are integrated with Active Directory, the zone data is stored as objects within the Active Directory database. This integration allows for secure replication of DNS zone information between domain controllers.

Secure replication ensures that only authenticated domain controllers can replicate DNS data, thereby protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the information. This is especially important in environments where sensitive data may be stored in DNS records or when DNS server locations might be spread across multiple geographic regions.

Active Directory's security features, such as permissions and access control lists (ACLs), also apply to these DNS zones, providing an additional layer of security that helps to prevent unauthorized modifications to DNS data. This makes the management of DNS zones more resilient against threats like spoofing or unauthorized access, ultimately supporting a more secure environment for network services.