Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software Is All About Authenticating and Granting Access to UsersBy Tamoghna Das, Technical Content Writer at SelectHub
Key Takeaway 1
IAM software helps companies authenticate user identities, enforce security controls and promote productivity.
Key Takeaway 2
Core capabilities include multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, privileged account management, password management and compliance management.
Key Takeaway 3
While comparing the top solutions, evaluate their feature sets, integration capabilities, scalability, vendor support and security.
Key Takeaway 4
Be aware of additional costs such as implementation, training and future upgrades or integrations. Also, consider maintenance and support fees.
What This Guide Covers:Primary Benefits
While automating user access is a key strength, IAM software offers various other benefits. These include:
Enhance Account Security
According to a recent report, 80% of all cyberattacks use identity-based attack methods. IAM software helps defend against these threats by managing user access. It verifies every user trying to enter (like ID checks), grants access based on job roles and requires additional login steps. Plus, it keeps a watchful eye on all user activities, making your accounts even more secure.
Streamline User Access
Employees who reuse passwords for their accounts can unintentionally create significant security risks for your company. With IAM software, you can create one set of credentials that works across all your cloud apps and internal systems. It's like having a master key for your digital world so your employees can log in with a breeze without having to create and memorize different passwords.
Simplify Account Control
You can manage employee accounts from a centralized system. This allows for quick threat response, eliminating threats before they cause significant damage. It also mitigates the need to add or remove access to each account individually, enhancing overall account control.
Optimize Policy Implementation
Implementing cybersecurity policies across different devices, departments and branches can be challenging. Avoid the headache by automating policy implementation with cloud-based solutions that help enforce all policies uniformly and on the go.
Improve Productivity
Ditch the hassle of managing passwords and waiting for IT support. The software tackles these tedious tasks for you like a smart assistant, automating all user access processes behind the scenes.
Besides, some IAM systems function like security experts. They learn user behavior to streamline logins for trusted users and flag suspicious activities.
Maintain Regulatory Compliance
Government regulations such as HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, PCI DSS and GDPR mandate robust identity and access management. The good news? IAM software helps you comply with these regulations without breaking the bank. It's like having a security sidekick that keeps your data safe and ensures you're ticking all the legal boxes.
Key Features
To find the right IAM software for your business, it’s essential to thoroughly analyze the set of features it offers. Here are some core capabilities to look for:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) | You can identify users or employees before granting them access to corporate resources. MFA uses different authentication modules such as hardware tokens, software tokens, one-time passwords (OTP) and mobile push. This feature offers significantly enhanced security compared to passwords alone. The only downside is that the increased complexity of user access may lead to employee frustration. |
Automated Provisioning and Deprovisioning | Onboarding new employees or changing job roles can be a nightmare for IT teams. It’s difficult to manually handle permission approvals, account setups and endless forms. IAM software automates the provisioning process, instantly granting access to the necessary systems based on the employee’s role. When someone leaves, deprovisioning automatically revokes their access to ensure security and save you time. |
Single Sign-On | This feature provides a single sign-on interface for all your corporate infrastructure. Log in once, and you’ll be signed into all the modules you need, enhancing both user experience and security. With just one authentication required, there’s no need to engage multiple security services and permissions. Additionally, IT managers can monitor vulnerabilities quickly as the platform integrates all authentication into one system. |
Role-Based Access Control | In today's security landscape, the zero-trust approach is key. You can assign users specific roles and limit permissions to only what's necessary, reducing damage in case of compromised logins. This approach is similar to personalized keychains compared to a single master key for privileged accounts. |
Privileged Account Management | Assigning privileged accounts for day-to-day activities can create significant security risks for your IT infrastructure. You can tighten privileged account security by adopting a zero-trust approach. Automated controls limit account creation and access, while least privilege enforcement grants access only for essential tasks. |
Password Management | This feature eliminates the need to write down or store passwords in insecure locations. It also relieves users from the burden of managing multiple passwords.
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Audit and Compliance | You can get detailed user identity and access-based reports to maintain a comprehensive digital trail. These reports enhance transparency for auditors and help your organization remain compliant with international security and privacy regulations. |
How To Compare IAM Software
With various IAM solutions available in the market, selecting the right system can be tricky. Your software selection strategy should be tailored to your business needs. The first step is to create a requirements checklist to ensure the software meets all your basic and advanced needs.
John Price, CEO of SubRosa, shared insights on key factors to consider when comparing IAM software:
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Feature Set: Ensure the software meets your organization’s specific identity and access management needs, including support for compliance with relevant regulations.
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Integration Capabilities: Check compatibility with your existing infrastructure and apps. The more seamlessly an IAM solution can integrate, the better its performance and utility will be.
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Scalability: Consider whether the IAM solution can scale as your organization grows and if it can manage the increasing number and types of users and services.
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Vendor Reputation and Support: Assess the vendor’s reputation, track record in the industry and quality of customer support offered. This can be crucial for resolving potential issues swiftly and effectively.
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Security: Evaluate the robustness of the security features provided, including how the system manages updates and patches to address new vulnerabilities.
After creating the requirements list, the next step is comparing potential vendors. Consider reading product reviews online and contacting past customers for their insights. Don’t forget to ask vendors for product demos or request free trials before finalizing the software.
For a deep dive into the comparison strategy, check out our nine-step methodology called Lean Selection.
Cost & Pricing Considerations
The pricing of IAM software can vary widely based on features, scalability and the vendor's pricing model.
Based on his experience, Price highlights the primary cost and pricing considerations for IAM software:
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Subscription vs. Perpetual Licensing: Some vendors charge a recurring subscription fee, while others may offer a one-time purchasing option with ongoing costs for updates and support.
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Tiered Pricing: Many IAM solutions charge based on the number of users or the level of usage. Be sure to understand how these tiers are structured and what comes with each tier.
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Additional Costs: Some vendors may charge extra for implementation, training and any future upgrades or integrations. Make sure you also consider maintenance and support fees, as they can significantly affect the total cost of ownership.
Alternatives of IAM Software
IAM software is crucial for ensuring proper access controls and security. However, depending on your needs, you may want to explore various alternative software categories that address different aspects of security and access control.
Here are some alternatives to consider:
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Single Sign-On (SSO) Solutions: These solutions help streamline user authentication across multiple apps with a single set of login credentials. Examples include Okta and OneLogin.
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Privileged Access Management (PAM): They’re designed to control and monitor access to critical systems by administrative or privileged accounts. Examples are CyberArk and BeyondTrust.
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Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): It provides an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before granting access. Popular MFA tools include Duo Security and Authy.
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Directory Services: They manage and provide access to network resources, user accounts and security policies in a centralized manner. Examples include Microsoft Active Directory and OpenLDAP.
Questions To Ask During Your Search
To determine your business requirements and understand what you’d get from each solution, ask questions of internal stakeholders and vendors.
- Why is IAM software important for managing employee access?
- Can we customize MFA requirements for different user groups?
- Can we define user permissions based on specific roles, resources and actions?
- What MFA methods does the software support?
- How granular is your access control?
- How does your software handle user provisioning and deprovisioning?
- Does your software meet relevant industry standards and compliance regulations like HIPAA and PCI DSS?
- How does your product roadmap address evolving identity-based cybersecurity threats?
Challenges of IAM Software
While IAM software offers several advantages, it comes with its fair share of challenges like:
- Tracking user access for audits can be difficult, especially with cloud apps.
- Scattered user data across different apps can compromise security.
- Managing access for remote workers complicates identity and access management.
- Maintaining control over access to third-party cloud tools is a challenge.
- Balancing user needs with security through minimal permissions assignment is difficult.
- Demonstrating the value of IAM requires clear metrics on prevented breaches.
FAQs
Q: Who uses IAM software?
IAM software serves various roles within an organization. Here’s how different professionals use it:
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Administrators: To manage user accounts, control access to apps and data, and ensure compliance with security regulations.
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Business Managers: To grant access to specific apps based on employee roles and responsibilities, improving overall workflow efficiency.
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End-Users or Employees: To sign in to various apps without having to remember multiple passwords.
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Information Security (InfoSec) Professionals: To improve the security posture by centralizing access control. The platform also helps detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts.
Q: How does IAM software work?
IAM software verifies user identities and grants access based on permissions. It uses authentication features such as multi-factor authentication and single sign-on to provide robust security.
Q: Is IAM software enough for my company’s cybersecurity?
While IAM software significantly reduces the risk of identity data breaches and identity thefts, it’s not enough to ensure complete protection of your digital assets. It may struggle with insider threats and social engineering attacks. You can enhance your cyber defense by implementing endpoint security software along with IAM software.
Q: Which IAM software vendors have the most market share?
According to a report by Statista, Persona led the global identity and access management (IAM) software industry in 2024 with a market share of 51.51%, followed by OpenID Connect and Microsoft.
Find the Right IAM Software
Free Comparison Report Explore our free comparison report to compare the top features of the leading products and make an informed decision. |
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