Identity and Access Management, or IAM, is a key technology capability that enables enterprises to grant their users and entities access to resources securely and in compliance with enterprise policy. It is a key element of the enterprise security program.
IAM is a framework of policies and technologies to ensure that the right users have the appropriate access to technology resources. It helps organizations to streamline user identities, roles, and access to systems and applications. IAM is comprised of the systems and processes that allow IT administrators to assign a single digital identity to each entity, authenticate them when they log in, authorize them to access specified resources and monitor and manage those identities throughout their lifecycle.
When IAM is implemented correctly, it helps ensure business productivity and frictionless functioning of digital systems.
The key functions of IAM are
- Manage User Identities
- Provision and De-provision Users
- Authenticate Users
- Compliance and Audit Reporting
Challenges in implementing IAM
- Understanding users, systems, and applications
- Knowledge of enterprise security policies
- Key skills required to integrate vendor identity products and solutions.
- Knowledge of protocols and industry standards Oauth 2.0, OIDC, SAML etc.,
- Knowledge of compliance and risk.
Assess the maturity of your Identity and Access Management Capabilities