Identity management and access management: we lift the veil on this corporate security challenge

As the digital transformation of companies continues to develop, identity management and access management are processes that should no longer be neglected.

Indeed, the increasing complexity and multiplication of digital tools, and the emergence of new work organizations, are prompting many organizations to ask themselves the following question: how can access to their information systems be managed and secured? This is where identity and access management comes in, as both a process and a technological framework.

To give you a better understanding of this concept, let's take a look at its definition, and at the software solutions available to support companies in their identity and access management policies.

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Identity and access management: definition

What is identity and access management, or IAM?

To begin with, it's important to note that the concepts of identity management and access management are almost always associated. As a result, these terms refer to all the activities of a company relating to the management of :

• employee authentication and access to company applications, networks and systems (identity part),
• authorizations and restrictions in relation to established identities (access).

To achieve this, IT departments rely on the definition of an internal policy, as well as an organizational and technological framework.

☝️ IAM is becoming increasingly widespread, particularly in a context where :

• technological environments are becoming increasingly complex and heterogeneous, due to the development of :
  • cloud computing
  • mobile computing
  • BYOD,
  • employee mobility and teleworking, etc. ;
• the challenges of data protection and related regulatory obligations are intensifying;
• companies are seeking to increase efficiency and productivity.

What activities are involved?

Identification

This refers to the creation of an employee's digital identity within the organization, in order to assess his or her various access parameters.

Authentication

This takes place when the user actually wishes to access the various resources. The classic procedure involves entering a user ID and password.

☝️ In view of the growing risk of fraud, companies are increasingly using multi-factor authentication. In fact, new methods are emerging, such as fingerprint or retinal print identification.

Authorization

Once the connection has been made, the identity previously established is used to define a certain level of authorization. In short, this involves determining :

• an employee's access rights. For example, he or she may access a system, but not some of its components,
• the actions he or she is entitled to perform (consulting, modifying or deleting a file, for example).

User management

This activity, enabled by all good IAM software, involves integrating and deleting new users:

• internal, i.e. employees
• external, such as partners, customers, suppliers, etc.

Challenges and benefits of identity and access management

Some companies are still slow to introduce genuine identity management processes, and to deploy the tools needed to implement them. The reason for this is that these changes require a certain budget, the benefits of which are not immediately perceptible.

And yet, identity and access management offers many benefits to organizations.

Security and confidentiality

The main advantage of IAM? Protecting companies from intrusions and cyber-attacks (ransomware, phishing, etc.) that could compromise the protection of their data.

On the other hand, some sensitive internal information cannot be revealed to all employees. Identity and access management enables :

• more detailed administration of access,
• and improved traceability.

Finally, these processes lead to a harmonization of IT security practices.

Increased productivity

On the IT side

The implementation of an IAM policy enables access administration to be centralized and automated as far as possible, avoiding time-consuming manual adjustments.

This productivity gain is passed on to new recruits when they join the company. Thanks to the reduced time spent configuring their access to work tools, they become operational more quickly.

On the business and user side

However, identity and access management processes must above all be adapted to the simplicity needs of the business, and not just to the requirements of IT departments.

On the user side, systems are therefore put in place to ensure that no time is wasted searching for credentials. Authentication must remain as simple as possible. That's why most of today's technologies enable access to all corporate applications via a single sign-on(SSO).

Business and competitive advantages

As we have already mentioned, IAM integrates access management for external parties, such as customers or partners, into its processes, without compromising security.

This functionality is a real asset and added value for organizations, as it helps to :

• improve customer and userexperience,
• support collaboration with suppliers, service providers and other subcontractors.

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Identity and access management: what solutions exist?

There are a number of tools available to help IT departments implement a solid identity and access management policy.

Let's take a look at the two main ones.

Comprehensive IAM software

IAM software is an all-in-one identity and access management solution. Their main benefits are to :

• streamline all processes, by providing technological support for company-defined rules,
• increase speed,
• standardize practices.

Some key features of IAM software :

• identity management: development of authentication methods (two-factor authentication, SSO technology, etc.) ;
• access governance: defining rules and securing access to applications. A control and traceability system monitors movements and identifies risky behavior;
• user account provisioning: using a gateway with HR data, IT departments can categorize users more easily and quickly, and assign them their own authorization levels;
• central user directory: more and more software packages offer a directory, to centralize all data and provide an easier view of the user base;
• workflows and self-service management: thanks to the implementation of workflows, employees can manage their needs autonomously (e.g. approval requests), without having to call on the IT department;
• software asset management: this involves securing software assets, as well as managing them in general (inventory, license control, etc.).

Password managers

Increasingly present in companies, password managers integrate perfectly with IAM processes.

Key features of password managers include

• secure password creation and storage in a digital safe;
• single sign-on: thanks to SSO technology, users no longer have to remember all their passwords. They can access all the organization's applications using a single, encrypted identifier;
• secure ID sharing: this feature simplifies collaborative working with people outside the company;
• customizable access and authorization levels;
• central user directory;
• access governance and control: some tools, such as LastPass, generate reports on the status of passwords used within the company. As a result, administrators can pinpoint risky behavior and suggest areas for improvement.
  
  

Now you know why identity management and access management are becoming top priorities for organizations. It's true that implementing an IAM policy means rethinking internal processes, and instilling change in employees' day-to-day practices through the adoption of new tools. But the long-term benefits are numerous, as data security and confidentiality have never been so important for companies.