Managing users across multiple systems and applications can be challenging. IAM solutions make it easier for IT teams to control user access and authentication.
IAM systems help bolster enterprise data security by ensuring users only have the access privilege levels required to perform their work duties. This helps to protect sensitive information and prevent accidental damage from users with excess permissions.
Security
Embedding identity access management (IAM) security strategies into your business operations helps you keep up with compliance requirements by automating processes and reducing manual errors. IAM solutions can automatically limit user account privileges to those required for their jobs and provide an activity audit trail for each user. This helps you support the principle of least privilege and improve the segregation of duties, which is critical for compliance.
In addition to boosting security, IAM tools allow administrators to manage users across multiple locations and devices without losing visibility or control. This reduces the chance of insider threats, which can be caused by employees with excessive privileges. The best access management tools include multiple MFA options, granular controls, and advanced tracking capabilities that identify anomalous activities.
A strong IAM system can help you comply with data protection laws and regulations, including the GDPR and California Consumer Privacy Act. In the event of a data breach, the system will also provide an audit trail to demonstrate that your security policies were followed. This is important when it comes to avoiding costly fines for non-compliance. The right access management solutions also make it easier for admins to manage user accounts, reset passwords, and change permissions settings. This frees them to focus on other projects that can drive company growth.
Compliance
Managing user access configurations manually is risky, especially for growing organizations. Inaccurate or outdated permissions settings can leave you vulnerable to unauthorized changes, data breaches and other threats. It’s also easy to lose visibility over current permissions levels as users change their login information or work from different devices. Using automated software helps you ensure that all users have the right permissions levels to access the systems and data they need.
A key aspect of an IAM system is confirming the identities of those logging in. This can be done by leveraging a variety of authentication factors, including passwords, mobile device sensors, MFA, and physical security keys. It can also include a combination of these methods to understand better the login attempt’s context, including location, time, device, and more.
Once the identity is verified, IAM solutions help to manage access privileges based on roles and designations. This is known as role-based access control (RBAC). It allows admins to grant specific permissions depending on the type of work each user does and ensures they have the minimum access required to perform their job functions.
Many IAM tools also provide administrative capabilities to help you onboard and deploy users quickly, along with lifecycle management for users, including self-serve portals for application requests and automated approvals. They also have monitoring and reporting features to support compliance audits and forensic investigations.
Simplify User Management
IAM solutions use automation to make it easier for users to manage their accounts. This reduces frustration and risky behaviors like writing passwords down or using the same password for multiple systems. IAM tools also provide Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities that improve user experiences and productivity by eliminating the need to remember many login credentials.
Identity and access management tools also allow companies to get more granular with permissions, giving users temporary access to certain systems or applications for specific purposes. This can be particularly useful for users who need access to a system for work outside of the workplace, such as contractors or consultants.
These technologies also help companies comply with industry standards and regulations by making tracking and auditing access easy. They also ensure that employees can no longer access their former employer’s applications and systems when they leave a company, reducing security risks.
Ultimately, IAM can help businesses increase business agility by freeing IT resources from time-consuming manual tasks like creating and resetting accounts or approving access to applications. This helps new hires start their jobs quickly with access to the systems they need while allowing IT and security teams to focus on high-priority projects to help the company grow. This, in turn, can help boost productivity and the bottom line.
Reduce Costs
Using the smartest tools available, your team can make significant cost savings by automating many of the tasks required to manage users. Even a small company could save over $1 million per year by moving from manual execution of user management to automated workflow-driven provisioning.
A robust access management solution provides centralized visibility, controls, and enforcement of policies for granting and revoking access privileges, enabling multifactor authentication, and providing Single Sign-On to systems and applications. These security features reduce operational costs and mitigate risks associated with unauthorized use or compromised credentials.
For example, automating account creation and provisioning reduces the time needed for new staff members to get up and running in your business network. This increases worker productivity and helps ensure compliance with data protection standards.
Authentication is the first step to accessing information and resources. Once your access management system verifies that a user’s identity matches a record in the database, it determines what level of access is allowed. This can be based on job title, tenure, security clearance, project, or more.
A robust access management tool will also provide granular control to your teams so that you can limit the amount of data an employee or contractor can see. This is especially helpful for protecting sensitive information from untrusted users.
