Solutions

Effective IAM solutions offer core capabilities such as role-based access control, user lifecycle management, single sign-on and MFA. Role-based access simplifies the definition, assignment and management of permissions within a least-privilege approach, keeping IAM sustainable and scalable even amid growth.

Identity governance and administration (IGA) features support periodic access reviews and enforce policies consistently across the enterprise, which is essential for regulatory compliance. PAM provides centralized control over elevated privileges, including secure storage of credentials, just-in-time access and session monitoring.

Driven by increases in Software as a Service adoption, cloud entitlements management ensures users have appropriate access to cloud resources through role-based access controls, attribute-based control, continuous monitoring and detailed reporting. Cloud access security brokers can increase visibility and control across cloud applications, but dedicated cloud infrastructure entitlement management  tools or IAM solutions with CIEM features may be needed.

IAM solutions often integrate application programming interface security features, managing API access through secure authentication, rate limiting, logging activities, granular access control and enforcement of application access governance policies.

IAM helps organizations adapt risk management to modern work, increase efficiency for IT teams and address complexities that can hamper security efforts.

Reduce Security Risks: IAM prevents unauthorized access by rigorously authenticating users and leveraging contextual data for stronger access control. IAM maintains data integrity and confidentiality and protects assets from unauthorized disclosure or alteration by ensuring only authorized users can access sensitive systems and data. IAM also helps mitigate insider threat risks — a growing concern in industries such as healthcare — by monitoring users’ activities and enforcing least-privileged access.

IAM also addresses vulnerabilities arising from human error, including weak passwords, susceptibility to phishing, and outdated software or devices. Social engineering is rampant and often successful; typically, it takes only seconds for a victim to click a malicious link or provide his or her credentials. IAM can limit the damage by restricting hackers’ movement throughout the environment, even if credentials are compromised.

Simplify IT Management: IAM solutions support IT teams with administrative dashboards, bulk user management, anomaly detection, customizable workflows and policies, and other tools and capabilities. Managing access rights becomes more efficient, while self-service tools enable users to manage their passwords. Automated onboarding and offboarding reduces error and improves UX while ensuring permissions are appropriately granted, restricted and revoked as needed.

In hybrid and cloud environments, IAM solutions reduce the complexity of managing identities across platforms. Solutions can be integrated with cloud services and on-premises systems to provide a unified approach that is consistent and enforceable yet compliant with specific industry or geographic regulations. Platforms also save time in audits and investigations by generating detailed logs and reports for analysis.

Improve Third-Party Management: Third-party access is a crucial aspect of IAM that many organizations find challenging. Many organizations collaborate with multiple vendors, increasing the risk of breaches involving third parties. In one survey, 57% of security professionals said their organizations had experienced an attack or a breach related to a vendor in the past two years. Further, security professionals say supply chains are more complex and often opaque.

IAM helps organizations manage these risks by managing lifecycle access through rigorous authentication and access controls to third-party users. This includes limiting their privileges and revoking access when it is no longer needed. IAM solutions can simplify these processes by increasing visibility into third-party access privileges and histories and assigning access based on carefully defined roles.