Identity and
Access Management
(IAM)
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a key area of cybersecurity focused on controlling how users access digital systems and what actions they are permitted to take. The goal of IAM is to prevent unauthorized access while ensuring each user has the appropriate level of access required for their role—no more, no less.
Modern enterprise environments support both human users (such as employees, contractors, and customers) and nonhuman users (including bots, IoT devices, and automated workloads). With the rise of cloud computing and remote work, both users and the resources they access have become increasingly dispersed across on-premises, remote, and cloud-based environments.
This growing complexity makes it challenging for organizations to monitor and manage user activity across systems, increasing the risk of unauthorized access, insider threats, and accidental data breaches.
IAM solutions help address these challenges by assigning a unique digital identity to each user and defining permissions based on roles, regulatory requirements, and operational needs. These systems ensure that only authorized users can access specific resources for approved purposes, while all unauthorized attempts are prevented—helping organizations maintain security without compromising productivity.
What is IAM?
1. Identity Lifecycle Management
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Creates and manages digital identities for all human and nonhuman users.
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Assigns unique attributes (e.g., username, job title, access rights) to define each identity.
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Stores identity data in a centralized database or directory.
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Can be managed manually by IT teams or automated via self-service tools.
2. Access Control
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Enforces permissions tailored to each identity to control what users can access.
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Often uses Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), assigning access based on job functions.
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Applies the Principle of Least Privilege to minimize access rights to only what’s necessary.
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Incorporates Privileged Access Management (PAM) for higher-security accounts like system admins:
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Uses credential vaults and time-bound access for extra protection.
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Access rights are stored and enforced via the IAM system's central directory.
3. Authentication and Authorization
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Authentication verifies identity using credentials (e.g., passwords, certificates).
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Authorization determines what resources a user can access once authenticated.
4. Common Authenication Methods
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Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Uses multiple forms of identity verification (e.g., codes, biometrics).
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Single Sign-On (SSO): Enables access to multiple systems with one set of login credentials.
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Adaptive Authentication: Dynamically adjusts authentication requirements based on risk (e.g., device used, location).
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After authentication, IAM grants access based on stored permissions and user roles.
5. Identity Governance
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Monitors and logs user activity to ensure access is used appropriately.
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Supports regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, PCI-DSS) by enforcing access policies.
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Generates audit trails to detect abuse, verify compliance, and investigate breaches.
Core components of IAM
Learn More about
Identity Access and
Management
1. Enabling Digital Transformation
As organizations embrace multi-cloud environments, AI-powered tools, automation, and remote work, managing secure access to a growing variety of systems and users becomes critical.
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IAM systems centralize access control across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures.
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They support both human and nonhuman users, including external stakeholders and IoT devices.
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Modern IAM platforms increasingly integrate Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) tools to manage access for internal and external users from a unified system.
2. Streamlining Workplace Access
With distributed workforces and a mix of legacy and cloud-based applications, centralized identity management is essential.
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IAM platforms support single sign-on (SSO), adaptive authentication, and unified policy enforcement.
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Organizations can manage all access permissions and user identities from a single control point—reducing complexity and improving visibility.
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This reduces reliance on disparate tools, ensuring more consistent access control and security across the enterprise.
3. Simplifying IT and Network Administration
IAM reduces the administrative burden of managing user access across systems.
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SSO allows users to access multiple apps with one credential set, minimizing account proliferation.
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Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) automates permission assignments based on user roles.
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Bring Your Own Identity (BYOI) approaches enable users to manage portable identities across platforms, easing IT workload and enhancing user autonomy.
4. Supporting Regulatory Compliance
Regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, PCI-DSS, and SOX demand stringent control over data access.
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IAM helps enforce and document access policies in alignment with these regulations.
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Identity governance features support auditing, monitoring, and reporting, providing traceability and accountability during compliance assessments.
5. Enhancing Network and Data Security
Credential theft is a leading cause of data breaches—often due to over-permissioned accounts.
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IAM mitigates this risk through strong authentication methods, including MFA and adaptive access.
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The principle of least privilege ensures users only access what’s necessary, reducing the attack surface.
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In the event of a breach, IAM helps prevent lateral movement within systems, limiting the impact of compromised credentials.