IAM
What is IAM?
Identity and Access ManagementWhat is Access Management? Typically delivered as part of an Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution, access management ensures that organizations allow users the necessary resources when needed, while restricting… More (IAM) is a framework of business processes, policies, and technologies to manage electronic or digital identities. IAM frameworks allow Information Technology (IT) managers to control which users can access critical information within an organization, and when.
Technologies used for IAM enable IT managers to store profile and identity data safely and carry out data governance functions to ensure that only the relevant and necessary data is shared. Those technologies include:
- Two-factor authenticationWhat is Authentication?Authentication is the process by which the identity of a user or system is verified. It ensures that the entity attempting to access a resource is who or… More (2FA)
- Multi-factor authentication (MFAWhat is Multi-Factor Authentication?Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a robust security method that enhances digital identity verification by requiring users to provide multiple authentication mechanisms before gaining access to a system,… More)
- Privileged access management (PAM)
Key concepts of IAM
Understanding IAM relies on understanding its two key concepts: authentication and authorizationAuthorization in cybersecurity refers to the process of granting or denying access to resources based on an entity’s identity and level of privileges. In essence, it determines what actions a… More.
Authentication refers to how an organization verifies that someone is who they claim to be. A typical example of authentication is the username-password combination. However, this method is generally viewed as outdated by security professionals, as it is susceptible to many attack techniques. MFA is steadily replacing traditional passwords, bolstering them with authentication methods such as passkeys sent to a user’s phone, or biometrics.
Authorization refers to how an organization decides which users have access to what resources. Some users, such as system administrators, have elevated permissions that grant them access to restricted assets. Authorization methods ensure that only the right users can access the right resources.
Types of IAM
Organizations typically have three classes of users with different identity needs: their workforce, business partners, and customers. Each requires a distinct approach to identity management. The three primary IAM approaches are:
Workforce IAM
Workforce or employee IAM (WIAM) controls how employees and other internal partners gain access to organizational resources. Most organizations use multiple, disparate applications, such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, so organizations should look for a WIAM solution that will integrate across their entire environment.
Customer IAM
Customer IAM (CIAMWhat is CIAM? Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) is a subset of Identity and Access Management (IAM) that focuses on controlling end users’ access to an organization’s digital resources…. More) controls how users access an organization’s external applications. CIAM solutions typically leverage single sign-on technology (SSO), which enables users to sign in with their social logins. Concerned with more than just the end user’s login experience, CIAM platforms gather information to build an identity profile and improve their offerings. However, collecting data in this manner means CIAM solutions are subject to extensive data privacyData privacy is the process of safeguarding an individual’s personal information, ensuring it remains confidential, secure, and protected from unauthorized access or misuse. More laws.
B2B IAM
Business-to-business (B2B) IAM is the most complex and specialized identity and access management form. B2B IAM solutions control how users from separate organizations access one another’s online resources. As large organizations run different back-end technology stacks, tailor-made identity solutions often falter when on-boarding multiple large companies. For this reason, many organizations opt for third-party IAM solutions to efficiently combine identity with any provider using any technology.
The Future of IAM
As organizations increasingly opt for remote or hybrid working models, identity has become infinitely more complex. In most cases, on-premises IAM solutions are no longer suitable. In the coming years, we will see more organizations considering cloud-based IAM options.
Similarly, budget and resource limitations have made identity management increasingly difficult for many organizations. As a result, many will choose managed IAM solutions, turning to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) to deploy and manage their IAM solutions.
We’ll also likely see more decentralized identity solutions which use blockchain technology to grant customers and employees self-sovereign identities. These decentralized identity solutions use an identity wallet to protect users’ private information from third parties, while authenticating and reducing the need for multiple identities. This could be a relief for an identity-weary population.
For more essential cybersecurity definitions, check out our other blogs below: