Introduction
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a system and process that determines who has access to which digital resources within an organization. It ensures that the right people have the right access to systems, applications, and data at the right time and with the appropriate permissions.
IAM plays a crucial role in cybersecurity and compliance, as it helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and misuse.
Key Components of IAM
IAM consists of several components that work together to ensure secure and efficient access control:
1. Identification
A user or system identifies itself, for example, through a username or email address.
2. Authentication
The user’s identity is verified, for instance, using a password, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), or biometric data.
3. Authorization
After successful authentication, the system determines what permissions the user has. This can be based on roles (RBAC), attributes (ABAC), or specific policies.
4. Access Management
IAM systems monitor and log all access requests and can enforce policies, such as automatically revoking access when a user’s role changes.
Why is IAM Important?
IAM helps organizations by:
IAM in Practice
IAM is applied across various sectors, including businesses, governments, and cloud service providers. Well-known IAM solutions include Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Okta, and open-source tools such as Keycloak.
Conclusion
IAM is essential for a secure and efficient digital environment. By implementing strong authentication, access control, and policies, organizations can mitigate risks while providing users with a seamless experience.