What is Identity & Access Management (IAM)?

Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Identity & Access Management, or IAM, is about determining and managing who has access to which information and applications within an organization and when. Due to the cloud revolution, more and more organizations are recognizing the importance of IAM. Information is stored, shared and accessed in the cloud. Also, organizations work with dozens or hundreds of applications, programs and systems, whether in the cloud or not. IAM is primarily about managing the (online) access rights for applications, programs and systems.

All of this brings various challenges. Two of them are particularly important to address. First, the challenge of providing  employees with as much convenience and flexibility as possible, by making it as easy as possible to access certain data and systems anytime, anywhere. Second, the challenge of keeping everything secure, with minimal risk of data breaches, for example.

In an organization, you are not only dealing with employees, but also with suppliers and other organizations. They all have different reasons for needing access to certain applications or information. An employee, for example, needs to access certain organizational information, while a customer needs to log in to view order details.

They therefore have different permission sets for the systems. IAM is responsible for managing these permissions and granting or denying access accordingly. IAM therefore works on the basis of the questions: who, why and what? Which person needs access to which resource and for what reason? Access should then be granted as automatically as possible by the system.

The difference between CIAM and IAM

You may have also come across the term CIAM. CIAM stands for Customer Identity & Access Management. This specifically concerns determining and managing access and access rights for an organization's customers. Both systems deal with managing and granting access, but they have a different focus. Where IAM is more internal and focused on employees, CIAM is more externally focused. IAM is also often used as an umbrella term that includes CIAM.

Why is Identity & Access Management (IAM) important?

Organizations essentially cannot avoid engaging with IAM. Especially if you want to keep up with digital changes and opportunities and the shift to the cloud. Applications, software and data are no longer just needed for efficient work. They are now used for everything. For example, it is increasingly possible for organizations to place orders via phone or tablet through a convenient app. However, this brings various challenges and requirements, for which IAM provides the solution.

Speed and control

Does your organization want to launch an application in the short term, for example? Then well-organized access management is essential. After all, you don't want unauthorized people to simply see all kinds of information, whether sensitive or not. With a good IAM solution where all permissions, information and systems are in order, it becomes possible to launch apps faster that work smoothly and securely right away.

Also, spontaneous collaborations also require a system that makes this possible. Today, organizations regularly collaborate with partners and other external parties. This may require certain information exchange to ensure smooth collaboration. But of course, you want to maintain control over information and access. IAM can provide a solution for this as well.

User experience

But it is not only an organization's own choice to take IAM seriously. It is also expected by employees, organizations and other external parties. Employees want to access information easily and quickly, without needing to be at a specific location or requiring a specific device. A simple, well-organized IAM solution has a positive impact on productivity.

Security

In addition to certain expectations from users and partners, security also plays a major role for your organization. Increasing digital traffic also means a greater risk of data breaches. This can not only have a negative impact on your reputation, but it can also cost a lot of money to properly handle the consequences.

If there has been negligence regarding your organization's data protection, the Data Protection Authority can impose a fine on your organization. This can amount to millions of euros. All in all, quite a challenge for IT teams. IAM can help reduce this risk. It can ensure that accounts are only provided with the permissions actually needed and that they are automatically deactivated upon termination of employment, for example.

To address these challenges, IAM must be able to create, edit and delete accounts, as well as distinguish and assign access rights. This must be possible for users at different locations and with different devices. This requires a well-functioning system.

How does Identity & Access Management (IAM) work?

IAM works within systems, tools and applications. Think of an app for ordering products or services or an internal system for online meetings and communication.

Within these tools, IAM has three main tasks: managing users, authenticating and authorizing.

1. User management

Organizations often consist of complex structures involving a large number of people. Not just employees, but also suppliers, partners, one-time collaborations and organizations. Within all these groups, people also have different access rights. For example, there are different teams of employees, as well as freelancers, temporary staff, consultants, team leaders and managers. Some employees also fulfill different roles, for which they have different access rights.

IAM largely works on the basis of permission sets. This means that certain rights are grouped together so that the system remains manageable. Users then have certain permission sets that give them access to the information they need.

IAM must be able to assign these rights to users, but also modify or revoke them. This may be necessary for temporary employees or one-time collaborations, as well as when changing positions.

2. Authentication

Authentication means the system can identify a user. This can be done, for example, by entering a username and password, a fingerprint or a keycard. Or, for example, a Passkey.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

A widely used method of logging in is Multi-Factor Authentication. This means there is an additional layer of security when logging in. For example, when logging in, the user receives a code sent to their phone, which must be entered to actually log in.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Single Sign-On makes it possible for users to access information and systems faster and more easily by only having to log in once for multiple systems. This means users don't have to remember different passwords.

3. Authorization

After authentication comes authorization. This means the system automatically checks which permissions this user has. As a result, as an employee, you can, for example, view certain content such as a work schedule, but not edit it. A manager, on the other hand, may have the authority to edit that schedule.

An IAM system also reports everything that is managed, used, stored and deleted. This enables organizations to identify potential risks and optimize their security accordingly.

Also read: What is provisioning?

Cloud Identity & Access Management

With a cloud-based IAM solution, it becomes possible to implement Identity Management much faster and more efficiently. This means that working with IAM is not only necessary and attractive for large organizations, but that medium-sized organizations can now also benefit from it.

FuseLogic has been selected as the Certified Okta Partner Northern Europe and offers IAM as a service with Okta Identity Cloud.

Identity as a Service

IAM can also be delivered as a service through the Identity as a Service (IDaaS) solution. The software then runs in a secured environment that is regularly checked by the vendor. IDaaS solutions often also make use of MFA and SSO.

Example of IAM Cloud software: Okta Identity Cloud

Identity & Access Management works on the basis of software. An example of such software is Okta's. The Okta Identity Cloud is a modern approach to IAM and is specifically designed for rapid implementations. This means organizations can quickly launch an app or tool without having to spend months working on access rights. To do this as securely as possible, Okta works on the basis of four pillars:

1. Digital Unification

This means organizations can connect, combine, transform and manage different user profiles. This offers convenience and speed.

2. Contextual Access Management

This allows organizations to centrally manage all access based on user profiles, application, device and location.

3. Lifecycle Automation

This means user profiles and associated access rights can be automatically updated from HR systems such as AFAS, Workday and SAP SuccessFactors.

4. 360-degree insight

A 360-degree insight means that reports provide full visibility into all actions taken. Okta detects suspicious individuals or activities, among other things.

The benefits of Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Working with Identity & Access Management has several benefits:

Improved IT security

By implementing IAM, organizations reduce their security risks. All permissions are recorded in the system, preventing unauthorized users from gaining access. There is also less chance of human error, as user profiles are managed by a system. Also, anomalies are reported, giving organizations earlier visibility into risks. Methods that add extra security during login, such as MFA, further reduce the risk of a hack, for example.

Regulatory compliance

IAM also helps organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding security and privacy. They can more easily manage who gets to see which information. Information that an employee does not need to do their job cannot be accessed by that person. In the case of healthcare, this safeguards patient privacy. IAM makes compliance with these rules easier and clearer.

Higher productivity

Especially through measures like Single Sign-On, it becomes easier for employees and other stakeholders to access certain information. Also, it becomes possible to work from different locations or at different times. This ensures that employees can always work in a secure environment. This convenience and security thus increase employee productivity.

Lower costs

Especially in the area of IT, costs can be reduced by using IAM. Many tasks can be automated. IT staff no longer need to constantly adjust profiles, grant access or reset passwords. They can spend their time on other tasks that add value to the organization.

The dynamic organization

We see that the traditional approach to IAM no longer always works. The needs have changed because organizations have started working differently: more project-based, in a matrix organizational structure. This dynamic requires flexible access rights. That is why we first look at the organization and its processes. An analysis of how available data, departments, functions and projects relate to access rights is an important starting point. With this approach, results can be delivered in a short time. Also, it creates buy-in because the organization recognizes itself in the approach.

FuseLogic and Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Based on more than 18 years of experience, we have developed best practices to accelerate Identity Management projects. We deliver Identity Management solutions. But faster, easier and more cost-effectively. This puts you quickly in control, with Identity Management following the speed of business, rather than the other way around.

FuseLogic's approach: Identity Management at the speed of business

Based on more than 18 years of experience, we have developed best practices to accelerate Identity Management projects. FuseLogic delivers IAM solutions that automate access and control for applications, allowing you to go live within 30 days. This puts you quickly in control, with Identity Management following the speed of business, rather than the other way around.

Want to learn more?

Would you like to know how you can use IAM for your organization? Or would you like to learn more about our approach and vision or the Okta software? Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation introduction.