What is Identity and Access Management

What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)?

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These days, every organization leverages the internet and various technological devices.

Moreover, these organizations deal with an extensive headcount of employees and log-in credentials.

Manually managing all these employee’s digital identities would be so hectic.

This is where organizations leverage IAM to perform seamless accessibility and identity management of employees.

If you are looking further to understand what is identity and access management, then…

… You are at the right place.

A Brief About Identity and Access Management:

Let us first understand the identity and access management concept.

Identity and Access Management is a framework comprising of various sub-systems that helps employees of an organization access the right tools, devices, etc., they need to do their jobs.

IAMs are cybersecurity solutions that enable organizations to set up access rights, privileged access management & control, and handle digital identities easily.

Some well-known IAM product companies or providers are like:

  • Auth0
  • Sailpoint
  • Okta
  • Cyberark
  • Forgerock, etc.

IAM solutions target the critical needs an organization has for ensuring appropriate access to the required IT resources and

this also takes care of the required compliance requirements.

Most IAM service providers will integrate IAM solutions with customization that aligns with the business goals.

Organizations that incorporate mature IAM solutions to reduce identity management costs become incredibly agile in sustaining new business endeavors.

So, it is crucial to choose a proper identity and access management vendor who can cater to all the requirements you need for your business.

Now…

Since you have understood what is identity and access management, it is time to dig a little deeper into various identity and access management features.

Features of Identity & Access Management Systems:

IAM security is invaluable for every organization.

For managing appropriate security, IAM tools must use a proper access mechanism that can be flexible enough to make granular controls.

Manual management of access controls, digital identity governance, and compliances are hectic.

So, organizations need IAM security solutions with various components to address today’s multifaceted access and identity provisions.

Here are some of the features and characteristics that every IAM solution comes with for better identity management and security.

#1. Federated Authentication:

IAM solutions are well-accepted in organizations having multiple, internal users with different identity sources such as social login, smart login, email or SMS-based login, etc.

Organizations that require IDM and SSO solutions for their internal and external applications also prefer to use IAM over other solutions.

Such a federated identity and authentication mechanism in IAM solution, uses various protocols like OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, etc., for external authentication.

#2. Distributed Identity & Security Management:

IAM solutions solve the problems that are encountered with numerous heterogeneous user identities stored in cross-domain user provisioning.

These tools are popular because they leverage AI and automation systems to manage complex user identity and application security requirements.

IAMs can comply with all security norms spread across all business units or departments.

#3. Integration With Full Compatibility:

Introducing a new security solution into an existing system might create compatibility issues between platforms.

But with IAM integration, organizations do not face compatibility issues.

Thus, identity and access management vendors can easily integrate the required solution to prevent inefficient access management.

If an organization’s system is too old, then a system update is needed to support the latest IAM technology and eliminate any security loophole in the legacy systems.

#4. Equipped With Emerging Security Postures:

IAM is a discipline and a tool that comes embedded with emerging security solutions and sub-components.

From the demise of easy passwords to the increasing implementation of zero-trust security, IAM product companies are bringing new techniques and tools to cater to a robust organization security solution.

All IAM solutions come with multi-factor authentication, role-based access control (RBAC), intelligent log-in feature, biometric authentication, real-time field validation, password less authentication, email verification, etc.

#5. Comprehensive Analytics Option:

Analytics and data-driven analysis have become an integral part of every organization.

Even IAM also leverages identity analytics.

Identity analytics display how users are accessing & interacting with corporate networks or devices.

Analytical data also renders essential information, regarding clarification of roles and sharpening access policies.

IAM analytics also allow the system to detect vulnerabilities and potential threats automatically.

Any security breach or malicious activity can easily get detected through this analytics.

IAM leverages analytical algorithms to differentiate correlations between security incidents and user identities.

IAMs use user data and digital identity analysis information to enhance security frameworks and target problems that are popping out due to employee ignorance and malicious insider menaces (threats).

#6. Numerous Options for Identity Verification:

Each identity verification system comes with its own set of pros and cons.

Identity management solutions can address such problems by rendering flexible login options to the organization or its customers, incorporating numerous forms of identity verification.

Some popular authentication verification techniques are:

  • User ID and password-based authentication
  • Biometric authentication
  • One-time password authentication
  • Email link-based authentication
  • Password less authentication through links or notifications
  • Third-party authenticator applications

#7. Rapid Incidence & Alert Response:

Cyber incidents and breaches go unnoticed for months when proper security systems are not placed within the organization network.

IAM solutions help in rapid incidence handling by detecting and preventing any malicious behavior, thereby defending organizations from hampering consequences of identity breaches.

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning also help in identifying security breaches and responding with alerts.

All these smart approaches help increase the sensitivity level of security.

Conclusion:

We hope this comprehensive blog has given you a crisp idea on what is identity and access management.

A robust IAM solution is an essential component of a modern organization’s security framework.

Deploying the right IAM product from the right vendor through the right service provider, by following the best practices reduces organization risks and identity breaches.

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