Introduction to IAM

Identity and Access Management, usually abbreviated to IAM, is an IT discipline and a category of software solution concerned with managing user access to sensitive corporate resources including databases, applications, systems, devices, and physical resources such as buildings and rooms.

As technology landscapes become more complex, with more devices, more applications and more data, there is a growing need for assurance that these resources can only be accessed by the right individuals, at the right times and for the right reasons. IAM systems accomplish this through a process of authentication, authorization, and access control. Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of an individual or system requesting access to a resource. This can be done through various means such as passwords, biometric data, or security tokens. Once the identity is verified, the user then needs to be authorized for specific actions within the resource. Authorization involves determining what level of access a user should have based on their role or permissions. Finally, access control ensures that only authorized individuals are granted access to resources.

There are many benefits to implementing an IAM solution in an organization. Firstly, it improves security by ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive resources. This helps prevent data breaches and unauthorized use of company information.

Access Management vs. Identity Management

IAM essentially comprises two core disciplines. While Identity Management confirms 'who' the user is, Access Management ensures they can access only the resources they're entitled to.

• Authorization - Defines what actions are permissible for each user group.

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) - Limits access based on job responsibilities to reduce unnecessary exposure to sensitive systems.

• Policy Enforcement - Ensures organizational access rules and conditions are consistently applied.

What challenges do organizations address with IAM solutions?

IT and security teams are looking for a better way to manage and automate access and identities as manual methods become too difficult and risky. There is growing pressure to introduce IAM practices that are fit for purpose in a new type of work environment, characterized by:

More flexibility in the workforce

Temporary and part-time employment was already increasing in Europe prior to the pandemic, with 14.8 % of EU-27 workers in a temporary role and 18.3 % in part-time work in 2019, according to Eurostat.

The pandemic has driven further change in working lifestyles, with more people opting for flexible work and an increase in the freelance workforce in some European countries. Companies offering flexible work, job shares and contract/freelance work must be able to manage these different employee identities securely and efficiently.

A growing threat landscape

The rise in use of mobile devices for work has expanded the threat surface far beyond the traditional perimeter of the organization. IT teams must now manage identity and access on a range of mobile devices, including personal tablets and smartphones.

Working environments are more open and interconnected, not only across employees, but also contractors, suppliers and partners, as well as IT system resources and physical resources, creating high levels of complexity and risk. Attacks are on the increase too, with hackers frequently targeting users to gain access to high value systems and data.

Evolving data protection legislation

The need to manage personal data in line with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as well as national data protection and cybersecurity laws and regulations, calls for a more robust approach to identity and access management.

A sharp increase in remote work

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend towards hybrid working, with IT teams now expected to provide and manage access to core on-premises and cloud-based systems from remote and potentially insecure locations.

The need for digital transformation

Organizations of all sizes are looking for ways to increase efficiency and reduce costs through digitalization and automation of core processes. IAM is a strong candidate for transformation as manual methods take up IT time that could be spent on core business activities.