IAM is a critical cybersecurity function that organizes all sizes of privileged access management. It boosts security by ensuring that the digital identity established for each user is continually updated and monitored throughout their access lifecycle.
Identity access management also saves time and money by streamlining password requests and automating privileges management. The result is a system that fits the needs of modern businesses more closely.
Security
Security is one of the main benefits of identity access management. IAM systems protect networks by confirming identities during the login process and verifying that the person or thing trying to access data and applications has permission to do so. It includes requiring multiple forms of authentication (MFA), limiting how often specific devices can log in, and setting restrictions on who can access what data.
Ultimately, IAM solutions keep hackers out and ensure that employees, contractors, guests, and customers can use the company’s apps and data on a need-to-know basis. They also provide visibility into what users are doing on the network and help prevent privilege creep.
IAM solutions can also incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve security by detecting suspicious activity. For example, suppose a person tries to log in from a new device or location. In that case, an AI-powered solution can look for hacking indicators like many unsuccessful login attempts or a remote user trying to access the company VPN from a public WiFi network and then take action, like asking for more authentication factors or denying access altogether.
Simplicity
With user numbers climbing, keeping track of users across portals and multiple systems is more complex than ever. In this environment, IAM solutions streamline authentication and access control so that only the right people get the access they need to do their jobs. That makes keeping tabs on who is using which system and when is easier.
In addition, identity management reduces IT costs by automating manual processes for new hire onboarding, offboarding, and role changes. It also helps improve employee productivity by reducing login times, moving them efficiently between platforms and tools, and lowering the number of help desk requests.
With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, you need a comprehensive approach to security that keeps the right people connected with the right resources while denying access to hackers and other malicious entities.
To do that, IAM must monitor user behavior, detect anomalies, and provide multifactor authentication. IAM programs should also support streamlined access to data on a need-to-know basis and provide consolidated visibility for network managers. That’s why you need an enterprise-level IAM solution that supports these capabilities.
Flexibility
IAM systems allow or block access to services depending on the person, project, or device’s identity. More advanced identity access management solutions also offer role-based access control tools that allow organizations to get very granular with what each individual can do. They can set permissions for each user based on the time of day they are logged in and from where for example. It helps businesses comply with data compliance policies such as the EU GDPR, Sarbanes Oxley (SOX), HIPAA for healthcare, and PCI-DSS for credit processing companies.
IAM systems also help improve productivity and save time for employees, business owners, and IT teams. It is done through features such as single sign-on, automated password self-service, compliance reporting, alerting, and detecting threats.
It can also simplify sharing information with partners and customers, for example, through federated identity management. It is also helpful with remote employee access, which means they only need a digital ID to log in from any device. It is much easier than keeping track of multiple usernames and passwords across different applications.
Scalability
Access to mission-critical systems is essential, but securing those systems against threats is even more critical. A strong identity and access management (IAM) system helps lower risk by limiting access to authorized users only. It also automates processes, allowing employees to take advantage of self-service capabilities and reducing the workload on IT staff.
IAM solutions that provide scalability allow organizations to adapt to changes in business needs quickly and easily. For example, a scalable software system can handle spikes in demand, such as during a news broadcast or a major sporting event, without the threat of outages or lags in user experience.
IAM creates a digital identity for every human or non-human network entity and controls permission privileges for various cloud and on-premise applications. It is accomplished by combining multiple factors, known as authentication factors, to verify that a person or device is who they claim to be. In addition, IAM uses the principle of least privilege to grant access so that users are only given access to what is necessary for their roles.
Compliance
Identity access management is a critical component of data compliance strategies. By enabling businesses to confirm users are who they say they are, it helps to stop illegal access to private data. It also helps to ensure that users are granted only the minimum level of privileges necessary to perform their duties and that privileges are revoked as soon as a task is completed.
Furthermore, it facilitates enforcing adherence to industry regulations, including PCI-DSS for credit processing and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU HIPAA for healthcare. It does this by automating processes to improve onboarding and offboarding, streamlining internal transfer and role changes, reducing time and errors in managing permissions, and improving security.
A comprehensive approach to secure user and device access is necessary for organizations in light of the growing prevalence of multi-cloud environments, IoT devices, BYOD, and remote work. IAM systems provide these essential security functions while delivering business-friendly features like improved workflow and a seamless user experience. That is especially true for IAM solutions with built-in identity governance capabilities that utilize a zero-trust policy to monitor user activity and only detect suspicious or unauthorized activities.
