Identity and Access Management (IAM)

The basic principles of IAM are - First, who are you? Then, prove it is you. Confirmed, here’s where you can go. We are tracking you.

IAAA - Identification, Authentication, Authorization, and Accountability
Need-to-know
Least privilege
Segregation of duties
Non-repudiation (cannot deny accountability)

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The 5Ws of IAM

Why

Everyone in your company should have access to the resources needed to do their job, but not more than what's required

A data breach can turn into crippling financial losses, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust
IAM processes create a fortress of security to manage your data and resources. It is an investment that helps build trust internally and with clients
Foundation of business efficiency and growth is dependent on IAM

What

Your digital security guard

IAM processes manage identities, authentication techniques, user roles, and lifecycle
When unauthorized: prevent access; and when authorized: establish accountability, create groups, standardize processes, and perform periodic reviews

Who

Every person, process, and application is included

Business owners and application owners set strategy and goals
Head of IT manages the program
IT Department implements the procedures

How

Like how physical entry into your office requires certain security checks, so does digital-entry. Majority of processes can be automated to maximize efficiency & effectiveness

Business goals decide policy & procedures, which create a security blueprint - perfectly tailored to solve your unique business needs
Automation of processes streamlines access management. However, access reviews necessitate manual intervention
Training, monitoring, learning, refining, and reinforcement

When

Digital entry & exit

From day 1 - implementing a strong IAM program builds trust, prevents losses, and supports growth
Especially important for systems with sensitive data like personal information of individuals, financial information, intellectual property, client data, etc.
If your company experiences a security breach - external or internal

Ultimately, a strong IAM program isn't just about securing the use of technology, it's about building an efficient ready-to-use machine that runs in the background while your business grows. We're here to help you take that crucial first step in the right direction

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Conceptual Knowledge Base

Framework for managing digital identities and access privileges across an organization. IAM Governance is a continuous cycle of reviewing and improving IAM policies and procedures.

Examples

An example of a good IAM governance program includes a well-defined process to grant and revoke access as part of a joiner-mover-leaver process.

Implementation Strategy

A successful IAM governance program requires a well-defined IAM policy and procedures to ensure access is granted in alignment with the principle of least privilege.

Implementation Steps

Define IAM Policy.
Define roles and responsibilities.
Establish review and audit processes.
Communicate policies and procedures.
Implement a governance framework.

Automation

Automate periodic access review cycles and generate reports.

Popular Applications

SailPoint IdentityIQ/IdentityNow, OneIdentity, Saviynt, Okta Identity Governance.

The daily management of user accounts and permissions, including user provisioning, deprovisioning, password resets, and access modifications.

Examples

Onboarding a new employee and providing them with necessary access to the company's network and applications.

Implementation Strategy

Establish a centralized system (e.g., Active Directory, LDAP) to manage user identities and access. Implement an access request and approval workflow.

Implementation Steps

Centralize identity management.
Define user roles and permissions.
Automate the joiner-mover-leaver process.
Implement access review workflows.
Establish a robust password management policy.

Automation

Automate user provisioning and deprovisioning based on HR system events. Integrate with an IAM solution for centralized management.

Popular Applications

Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Ping Identity, Active Directory.

The process of determining what a user is permitted to do once they have been authenticated. It is based on policies and rules that define access to resources (e.g., files, databases, applications).

Examples

A marketing manager having read-write access to the marketing folder, while an intern only has read access.

Implementation Strategy

Implement access control models such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC), or a hybrid approach. This ensures permissions are granted based on the user's role, attributes, or context.

Implementation Steps

Define access control policies.
Implement RBAC/ABAC models.
Conduct regular access reviews.
Use a centralized access control system.
Ensure segregation of duties (SoD).

Automation

Automate access requests and approval workflows. Use a policy engine to enforce access control rules in real-time.

Popular Applications

Okta, Ping Identity, Microsoft Entra ID, Saviynt.

The process of verifying a user's identity. This is the act of proving that a user is who they claim to be.

Examples

Entering a password, using a fingerprint (biometrics), or a one-time code from a mobile app (Multi-Factor Authentication).

Implementation Strategy

Deploy strong authentication methods, such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), to add layers of security beyond just a password.

Implementation Steps

Enforce strong password policies.
Implement MFA for all users.
Consider passwordless authentication methods (e.g., biometrics, FIDO2).
Use a centralized authentication service.
Educate users on phishing and social engineering.

Automation

Use a Single Sign-On (SSO) solution to streamline user logins. Automate temporary access for contractors or partners. Use a centralized MFA solution.

Popular Applications

Okta, Duo Security, Ping Identity, Microsoft Entra ID.

A cybersecurity strategy to control and monitor privileged access within an organization's IT environment. It is focused on accounts with elevated permissions (e.g., system administrators, root users).

Examples

Requiring an admin to check out a privileged password from a secure vault to perform a task, and then checking it back in after use.

Implementation Strategy

Establish a centralized vault for privileged accounts. Implement session monitoring and a "just-in-time" access model to grant temporary privileged access only when needed.

Implementation Steps

Discover and vault privileged accounts.
Implement session monitoring.
Enforce least privilege for all privileged accounts.
Implement "just-in-time" access.
Conduct regular audits of privileged activity.

Automation

Automate privileged password rotation. Automatically revoke privileged access after a session ends. Integrate with SIEM tools for real-time monitoring.

Popular Applications

CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Thycotic, Delinea.

A unified approach to managing identities and access across an organization's entire IT landscape, rather than using separate, siloed systems. It provides a single source of truth for user data and permissions.

Examples

Using a single sign-on (SSO) solution to log in to all corporate applications with one set of credentials.

Implementation Strategy

Migrate from disparate systems to a single, authoritative identity store. Integrate applications with the central IAM system using protocols like SAML or OAuth. Develop a clear migration plan.

Implementation Steps

Inventory all identities and applications.
Select a centralized IAM solution.
Integrate key applications.
Establish a phased migration plan.
Train users and administrators.

Automation

Automate user provisioning and access management across multiple applications. Implement automated access reviews and reporting from a single console.

Popular Applications

Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Ping Identity, ForgeRock.