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Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)?

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a framework of policies, processes, and technologies designed to ensure the right individuals have the right access to the right resources, at the right time, and for the right reasons. IAM combines identity (who a user is) and access (what they are allowed to do).

Think of IAM as the traffic controller of your organization’s digital environment:

  • Identifies users (human or machine)

  • Authenticates them (verifies their identity)

  • Authorizes actions based on roles and permissions

  • Tracks and manages user activities

Core Functions of IAM

IAM systems provide a wide range of capabilities to manage digital identities securely and efficiently. Key functions include:

1. Identity Creation and Management

  • Provisioning new accounts for employees, partners, customers, or applications

  • Assigning attributes such as username, department, and role

2. Authentication

  • Verifying a user’s identity before granting access

  • Methods include passwords, biometrics, smart cards, OTPs, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

3. Authorization

  • Controlling what users are allowed to do based on roles or permissions

  • Example: HR employees can view salary data, while marketing employees cannot

4. Session Management

  • Tracking active logins and setting session timeouts

  • Preventing session hijacking and unauthorized access

5. Monitoring and Auditing

  • Logging access events for compliance and threat detection

  • Supports audits for regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS

6. Identity Lifecycle Management

  • Managing the entire lifecycle of user accounts: creation, updates, and deactivation

7. Integration with Other Systems

  • Connecting IAM to applications, cloud services, VPNs, and directories like Active Directory or LDAP

IAM Architecture

A modern IAM architecture typically includes:

  • Directory Services: Stores all identities (e.g., Microsoft Active Directory, LDAP)

  • Authentication Systems: Verifies users (e.g., Kerberos, SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect)

  • Access Control Engines: Enforce policies and permissions

  • Self-Service Portals: Allow users to reset passwords, request access, and update profiles

  • APIs & Connectors: Integrate IAM with cloud, SaaS, and on-premise applications

Key IAM Technologies

  • Single Sign-On (SSO): One login for multiple applications

  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Combines two or more verification methods

  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Access based on job roles

  • Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Access based on attributes like department, time, or location

  • Federated Identity Management: Enables identity sharing across organizations (e.g., Google login)

  • Privileged Access Management (PAM): Special controls for high-level admin accounts

Benefits of IAM

Implementing IAM offers multiple advantages:

  • Enhanced Security: Reduces risk of unauthorized access

  • Regulatory Compliance: Meets legal and industry standards

  • Improved Productivity: Streamlines user access and reduces IT workload

  • Better User Experience: SSO and self-service features minimize login fatigue

  • Centralized Control: Manage all accounts and permissions from a single platform

Challenges of IAM

Organizations may face challenges when implementing IAM:

  • Complex integration with legacy systems

  • Balancing security with user convenience

  • Managing identities for a growing number of cloud applications

  • Continuous monitoring for compromised credentials

Popular IAM Solutions

Some widely used IAM solutions include:

  • Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)

  • Okta

  • Ping Identity

  • CyberArk (for PAM)

  • IBM Security Verify

  • SailPoint

  • ForgeRock

IAM Services

IAM is a strategic tool for managing security risks, improving productivity, and ensuring compliance. With rising cyber threats, organizations are prioritizing IAM solutions to protect sensitive data and streamline user access management.

IAM Services Offered:

  1. Identity Creation and Management

  2. Authentication

  3. Authorization

  4. Session Management

  5. Monitoring and Auditing

  6. Identity Lifecycle Management

  7. Integration with Other Systems

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