Best Identity And Access Management Solutions
Our list of the best identity and access management solutions that allow you to manage your users’ digital identities and ensure all users have access to the resources they need to perform their roles.
Written by
Mirren McDade
Technical Review by
Laura Iannini
Quick Summary
JumpCloud is our top pick for mid-sized teams managing Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single console with built-in SSO, MFA, and device management. If compliance-driven access governance is the priority, tenfold delivers no-code workflow automation with built-in recertification for audit-ready environments.
Every IAM deployment starts with the same question: how do you unify identities across cloud applications, on-premises infrastructure, and the devices your team actually uses? The answer depends on your environment. A Microsoft 365 shop has different requirements from a company running mixed operating systems, and both look different from an organization that needs HR-driven identity automation.
We tested 11 IAM platforms across SMB, mid-market, and enterprise environments. We looked at authentication flexibility, policy granularity, integration depth, lifecycle automation, and how each platform handles the hybrid infrastructure that most organizations still maintain.
This guide breaks down where each platform fits so you can match your IAM choice to your actual infrastructure and team size.
Our Recommendations
Your IAM choice depends on your existing infrastructure, team size, and which identity problems you need to solve first.
- Best For Cross-Platform Directory: JumpCloud manages Windows, macOS, and Linux devices from one console with built-in SSO, MFA, and zero-touch provisioning.
- Best For Access Governance: tenfold automates permission management with no-code workflows and built-in recertification for audit compliance.
- Best For Hybrid Authentication: Thales SafeNet Trusted Access offers broad authentication options with risk-based policies across cloud and on-premises applications.
- Best For Credential Management: Keeper Security provides zero-knowledge password vaulting with room to scale into PAM and secrets management.
JumpCloud is a cloud-native directory platform that unifies identity, device management, and access control from a single console. It targets mid-sized organizations running mixed OS environments who want to ditch traditional Active Directory without losing control.
One Console for Everything
We found the single-pane management across Windows, macOS, and Linux devices to be the standout here. You get directory services, SSO, MFA, and device management in one place. No more juggling multiple tools or worrying about integration headaches.
The identity-first approach works well for distributed teams. Instead of relying on network perimeters, JumpCloud treats users as the primary security layer. Zero-touch onboarding means new hires get provisioned without IT manually touching each device.
What Customers Are Saying
Users praise how quickly they can lock down departing employees across all systems simultaneously. That single source of truth for who has access to what solves a real pain point for lean IT teams.
Some customers flag that the interface gets cluttered with too many nested menus. Finding specific settings takes time unless you use it daily. The mobile app is also limited, and the search function occasionally fails to surface items you know exist.
Best Fit for Cloud-First, Multi-OS Shops
If your environment is cloud-first and multi-platform, we think JumpCloud is a strong fit. It works especially well for organizations that want to eliminate on-prem directory infrastructure without sacrificing device control or Zero Trust policies.
Strengths
- Manages Windows, macOS, and Linux devices from a single dashboard without separate tools
- Zero-touch onboarding automates new employee provisioning across all connected systems
- Instant offboarding locks ex-employees out of everything simultaneously
- Free tier covers up to 10 users and devices for small teams to evaluate
Cautions
- According to some user reviews, interface navigation gets confusing with settings buried in nested menus
tenfold is an identity and access management platform built for mid-market organizations that need structured permission management without enterprise-grade complexity. It focuses heavily on automated user lifecycle workflows and self-service access requests with compliance baked in.
No-Code Automation That Actually Works
We found the no-code approach to workflow configuration refreshing. You can set up onboarding and offboarding processes, permission assignments, and approval chains without writing scripts. When HR adds a new employee, tenfold automatically generates usernames, alongside email addresses and assigns default permissions based on department.
The recertification feature stands out for compliance-heavy environments. Managers receive regular reminders to review and validate their team’s access rights. Everything gets logged and timestamped for auditors. GDPR, SOX, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 reporting come standard.
What Customers Are Saying
Users highlight how much manual work disappears once workflows are configured. HR teams particularly appreciate automated notifications that alert relevant departments about joiners and leavers without email chains.
Some customers note the initial learning curve is steep. The platform offers extensive functionality, but understanding how all the modules connect takes time. Menu navigation is not always intuitive for new administrators. Update windows have also grown longer for some deployments, now taking up to an hour. One notable gap: Microsoft 365 guest management is not currently supported, which matters if you collaborate heavily with external partners.
Right Fit for Compliance-Driven Mid-Market Teams
If your organization faces recurring audit pressure and needs provable access governance, we think tenfold is worth a close look. The recertification workflows and compliance reporting address real pain points for GDPR, SOX, and ISO 27001 environments.
Strengths
- No-code workflow builder configures onboarding and offboarding without scripting expertise
- Automated recertification prompts managers to regularly validate team access rights
- Self-service portal lets employees request access without opening IT tickets
- Strong compliance reporting covers GDPR, SOX, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 requirements
Cautions
- Based on customer feedback, steep initial learning curve due to extensive module options and configuration depth
- Microsoft 365 guest management is not supported for external collaborators
SafeNet Trusted Access is Thales’ cloud-based access management platform combining SSO, multi-factor authentication, and risk-based policies. It targets mid-sized to large enterprises that need flexible authentication options across cloud and on-premises applications.
Authentication Flexibility Done Right
We found the range of authentication methods impressive. You get hardware tokens, software tokens, push notifications, FIDO2, and certificate-based options all from one platform. Smart Single Sign-On adjusts authentication requirements based on context, so low-risk access stays frictionless while sensitive resources trigger step-up verification.
The scenario-based policy engine lets you define access rules by user group, application sensitivity, device posture, and location. A single dashboard shows access events across all connected applications, which simplifies audit prep and incident investigation.
What Customers Are Saying
Users consistently praise product stability and technical support responsiveness. When issues arise, support teams resolve them quickly. The authentication workflow performs as expected once configured.
Some customers flag that initial setup feels rushed when working with implementation teams. Documentation handoff can be stronger, leaving administrators to figure out configuration details independently. The licensing model also frustrates some buyers since each device consumes a separate license rather than covering all devices per user. A few users wish the platform doubled as a password manager to reduce tool sprawl.
Built for Hybrid Shops That Need Adaptive Authentication
If your environment spans cloud and on-prem with a mix of employees, contractors, and partners, we think SafeNet Trusted Access fits that use case well. The risk-based policies and broad authentication options give you flexibility without forcing a single approach.
Strengths
- Wide authentication options including hardware tokens, FIDO2, push, and certificates
- Risk-based policies adjust authentication strength based on context automatically
- Single dashboard consolidates access events across all integrated applications
- Technical support receives consistently strong marks for responsiveness
Cautions
- Some users mention that implementation handoff can feel rushed with gaps in documentation transfer
- Some customer reviews note that licensing charges per device rather than per user increases costs for multi-device workers
Keeper Security is a password management platform that extends into privileged access management and secrets handling. It targets mid-sized organizations and software teams that want to build identity controls outward from credential management rather than bolting on a password manager later.
Beyond Basic Password Storage
We found Keeper’s vault straightforward to deploy and useful day-to-day. The KeeperFill browser extension handles autofill reliably, and you can store usernames, passwords, and MFA codes together. Password history lets users revert to previous credentials when needed, which saves help desk calls.
The platform scales up with add-ons like KeeperPAM for privileged access with session recording and Secrets Manager for API keys. Zero-knowledge architecture means Keeper never sees your data. SSO, SCIM, and AD/LDAP integrations make provisioning painless for IT teams.
What Customers Are Saying
Users praise how quickly they can onboard new employees. Microsoft 365 integration works smoothly, and the Security Audit feature highlights weak or reused passwords across the organization. BreachWatch alerts users when credentials appear in dark web dumps.
Some customers express frustration with pricing changes. Discount structures have shifted, making renewals more expensive than initial quotes suggested. Reporting can be stronger for identifying risky websites. A recent KeeperFill update caused conflicts with browser AI features, though rolling back to earlier versions resolved it. Session timeouts also frustrate users who find themselves logging back in repeatedly.
Strong Foundation, Watch the Scaling Edges
If your organization needs a secure password manager that extends into PAM and secrets management, we think Keeper is a strong pick. The zero-knowledge architecture and modular add-ons let you build out identity controls at your own pace.
Strengths
- Zero-knowledge encryption ensures Keeper never accesses your stored credentials
- Stores passwords and MFA codes together for simplified authentication workflows
- KeeperPAM add-on provides privileged access management with session recording
- Fast deployment with SSO, SCIM, and Active Directory integration support
Cautions
- Some users have reported that pricing model changes have surprised some customers at renewal time
- According to some user reviews, advanced reporting and dark web monitoring require paid add-ons
CyberArk Workforce Identity
CyberArk Workforce Identity is an identity security platform covering both human and machine identities with AI-powered risk detection, passwordless authentication, and MFA. It targets organizations needing unified identity management with strong compliance controls, particularly those focused on access reviews and certification.
Access Reviews Done Right
We found the access review capabilities to be the standout feature here. The platform centralizes user access across applications, making it possible to audit who has access to what without wrestling with spreadsheets. System owners actually complete their review tasks because the interface makes it straightforward.
CyberArk supports SSO, social login, passwordless options, and federated credentials from one platform. The developer tools make integration into existing stacks practical. AI-powered risk detection adds a layer of intelligence to identity decisions beyond simple policy enforcement.
What Customers Are Saying
Users consistently highlight implementation speed. Several describe it as the easiest identity project they have participated in. Customer support gets strong marks for responsiveness and genuine helpfulness. The modern UI makes reviewers willing to engage with access certification tasks.
Some customers note the platform is still maturing.
Strengths
- Access review workflows eliminate spreadsheet-based certification processes entirely
- Implementation is faster than typical identity platform deployments
- Customer support consistently receives praise for responsiveness and expertise
- Modern interface increases reviewer engagement with certification tasks
Cautions
- According to customer feedback, integration coverage gaps mean some legacy platforms require manual data handling
- Some customer reviews highlight that dashboard and reporting capabilities are limited without BI tool integration
ManageEngine AD360
ManageEngine AD360 is an enterprise IAM platform that consolidates Active Directory management, identity governance, and compliance reporting into one tool. It targets organizations running Windows-centric environments that need to automate identity lifecycle tasks without stitching together multiple products.
Active Directory Management Centralized
We found the consolidation of AD tasks useful for teams managing complex directory structures. You get automated user provisioning, self-service password resets with MFA, SSO, and approval-based workflows from a single console. Bulk management capabilities handle large-scale AD changes without scripting.
The compliance and audit tracking features stand out for regulated environments. Built-in reports map to ISO 27001, GDPR, and SOC requirements. AI-driven analytics surface anomalies in login patterns and flag risky behavior before it becomes an incident.
What Customers Are Saying
Users highlight how the self-service portal reduces IT support burden. Employees reset their own passwords, and automated workflows handle routine provisioning without tickets. The DR and backup management features get strong marks for peace of mind.
Some customers report the platform feels sluggish, particularly in larger deployments. Support experiences vary widely, with an 11.5-hour time zone gap causing delays for some organizations. The high availability feature in the self-service component does not deliver true HA according to several users. Development cycles move slowly, so feature requests take time to materialize. Licensing by account rather than user also frustrates some buyers.
Solid Pick for AD-Heavy, Budget-Conscious Teams
If your organization runs heavy Active Directory infrastructure and needs to automate identity tasks on a reasonable budget, we think AD360 is a practical choice. It works well for teams that want governance and compliance reporting without overhauling their directory strategy.
Strengths
- Combines AD management, identity governance, and compliance reporting in one console
- Self-service password resets reduce routine help desk ticket volume significantly
- Built-in audit reports align with ISO 27001, GDPR, and SOC compliance requirements
- Automated workflows handle user provisioning without manual intervention
Cautions
- Some users have noted that platform performance can feel sluggish in larger Active Directory environments
- Based on customer feedback, support response times suffer from significant time zone gaps for some regions
Okta Workforce Identity Cloud
Okta is the dominant player in cloud identity management, used by over 10,000 organizations worldwide. It targets enterprises needing a unified identity platform across cloud and on-premises applications with extensive integration options.
The Integration Range You Expect
We found Okta’s integration library unmatched. Over 7,000 pre-built connectors mean most applications work out of the box. SSO, MFA, lifecycle management, and adaptive security policies operate from a universal directory that centralizes users and groups, plus devices in one place.
The tile-based interface makes daily access straightforward for end users. One login surfaces all applications without password juggling. Employees can request access to new apps directly from the landing page, which simplifies provisioning workflows for IT.
What Customers Are Saying
Users praise how intuitive the platform feels for both administrators and end users. Deployment documentation is clear, and time to value comes quickly. Support is responsive and knowledgeable when issues arise. Remote teams particularly appreciate the consistent authentication experience across devices.
The Default Choice for Cloud-First IAM at Scale
If your organization needs a cloud-native identity platform with the widest integration catalog available, we think Okta is the natural starting point. It works well for global teams managing access across a large and diverse app ecosystem.
Invest time in understanding the admin console layout and policy interactions before you go live. Based on our review, the integration depth and adaptive security make Okta a strong platform for organizations that need identity to scale with them.
Strengths
- Over 7,000 pre-built integrations cover most enterprise application needs immediately
- Universal directory centralizes users, groups, and devices for consistent policy enforcement
- Clean tile interface lets users access all applications from a single login
- Deployment documentation and support accelerate time to value
Cautions
- Some users have reported that pricing increases significantly when adding advanced MFA and lifecycle features
- Some users report that outages affect access to all connected applications simultaneously
Ping Identity
Ping Identity is an enterprise IAM platform trusted by large organizations managing identity at scale across cloud, mobile, SaaS, and on-premises environments. It targets companies needing flexible deployment options with advanced security features like passwordless authentication and AI-driven threat detection.
Enterprise Flexibility Without Compromise
We found Ping Identity’s modular approach practical for complex environments. Products like PingFederate, PingAccess, PingDirectory, and PingID let you assemble the exact capabilities you need. The platform aggregates identity data from multiple directories into a single source of truth, which simplifies governance across fragmented systems.
Passwordless authentication and real-time risk-aware authorization stand out for security-conscious teams. AI-driven behavior analysis detects anomalies before they become incidents. The MFA works offline, which matters for field workers or environments with unreliable connectivity.
What Customers Are Saying
Users praise how administrator-friendly the core products feel once configured. The swipe-to-authenticate flow eliminates code entry, and transferring the app between devices is straightforward. MFA protects accounts even when passwords get compromised, keeping sensitive infrastructure secure.
Some customers flag that certain interfaces feel complex, particularly PingAuthorize and PingDirectory. Role management and entitlement creation require significant effort to configure correctly. The mobile app occasionally delays push notifications, and synchronization issues pop up intermittently. Initial setup demands time, especially for organizations with intricate access requirements.
Enterprise IAM for Complex, Multi-Protocol Environments
If your organization manages identity across a mix of cloud, on-prem, and API endpoints, we think Ping Identity handles that complexity well. The protocol support and directory federation give you a flexible foundation.
Strengths
- Modular product suite lets you deploy only the capabilities you actually need
- Offline MFA functionality works without network connectivity for field teams
- AI-driven behavior analysis detects anomalies and potential account compromise
- Swipe authentication eliminates manual code entry for faster user experience
Cautions
- Some users mention that PingDirectory and PingAuthorize interfaces feel complex for new administrators
- According to customer feedback, role management and entitlement configuration require significant setup effort
Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is the identity backbone for organizations running Microsoft 365 and Azure. It processes over 8 billion authentications daily and manages 1.2 billion identities worldwide. If you are already in the Microsoft ecosystem, this is likely your default starting point.
Native Integration That Just Works
We found the M365 integration smooth. SSO, MFA, conditional access, and user lifecycle management operate under the hood without requiring separate infrastructure. License assignments, group allocations, and role management automate smoothly across Microsoft products and thousands of third-party applications.
Self-service password reset reduces help desk load significantly. Conditional access policies let you enforce Zero Trust controls based on user identity, device compliance, and location. The move from on-premises Active Directory to cloud feels natural for shops already invested in Microsoft.
What Customers Are Saying
Users praise how straightforward initial setup feels, particularly for organizations already running M365. The centralized admin experience simplifies permission management across services. Support quality gets consistently high marks. Developers find integration easy without it getting in the way.
Some customers flag that advanced features like access reviews and risk-based sign-in protection require expensive P2 licensing. The licensing matrix confuses many administrators, and key security capabilities sit behind higher tiers. Settings spread across multiple admin portals, which fragments the experience. Troubleshooting conditional access issues can be slow due to limited error transparency. Long-time Azure AD users also note frustration with deprecations of older tools like MSOnline PowerShell.
The Natural Pick for Microsoft Shops Ready to Invest
If your organization is already in the Microsoft ecosystem, we think Entra ID is the logical identity foundation. The integration depth and automation capabilities through Graph API are hard to match.
Strengths
- Native M365 and Azure integration eliminates separate identity infrastructure overhead
- Self-service password reset with MFA significantly reduces help desk ticket volume
- Conditional access policies enforce Zero Trust controls based on device and location
- Scales to handle billions of authentications with high availability guarantees
Cautions
- Based on customer reviews, advanced security features require expensive P2 licensing that is not always obvious upfront
- Some users mention that admin settings spread across multiple portals creating a fragmented management experience
IBM Security Verify
IBM Security Verify is an enterprise identity-as-a-service platform built for organizations managing identities across hybrid multi-cloud environments. It targets large enterprises needing zero-trust identity controls with adaptive access, identity analytics, and thorough compliance reporting.
Enterprise-Grade Identity Controls
We found the reverse proxy capabilities particularly strong. Load balancing, SSL termination, and the ability to hide internal server details from external users work well for organizations with complex infrastructure. The platform handles high-load policies effectively while keeping implementation relatively straightforward.
MFA, SSO, and passwordless authentication cover the expected bases. Adaptive access adjusts authentication requirements based on risk signals. Identity analytics help detect anomalies and support compliance requirements with custom activity reports. Federation capabilities extend identity controls across organizational boundaries.
What Customers Are Saying
Users highlight how effectively the platform meets the needs of integrated services. The reverse proxy and federation features get consistent praise from teams managing complex environments. Security capabilities deliver what enterprises expect from IBM.
Some customers flag documentation gaps as a significant pain point. Product documentation lacks depth, and older technical notes have expired links. External resources and community support are weak compared to competitors, leaving teams dependent on IBM support. The GUI occasionally throws errors on actions that succeed via command line, which frustrates administrators. Partner administration workflows feel unintuitive. Performance can lag even with adequate infrastructure.
Built for Regulated Enterprises With Complex Compliance Needs
If your organization operates in regulated industries and needs consent management alongside identity controls, we think IBM Security Verify fits that use case well. The compliance depth and adaptive analytics justify the investment for the right audience.
Strengths
- Reverse proxy handles load balancing and SSL termination while hiding internal architecture
- Adaptive access adjusts authentication requirements based on real-time risk signals
- Federation capabilities extend identity controls across organizational boundaries effectively
- Custom activity reports support compliance requirements and troubleshooting workflows
Cautions
- According to some user reviews, documentation is sparse with expired links and limited feature coverage
- Some customer reviews note that community support is weak, making teams heavily dependent on IBM direct support
Other Identity And Access Management Services
A cloud-based access security platform that provides multi-factor authentication, access management, and endpoint security.
An open-source IAM platform that offers identity management, access management, and identity governance solutions.
An identity assurance platform that offers secure, passwordless authentication and automated identity verification solutions.
Provides a broad range of IAM solutions, including identity governance, access management, and privileged access management.
A comprehensive IAM solution that provides identity governance, access management, and privileged access management capabilities.
What To Look For: IAM Solutions Checklist
When evaluating identity and access management platforms, we’ve identified eight essential criteria. Here’s the checklist of questions you should be asking:
- Integration Range and Depth: How many pre-built connectors ship with the platform? Does it integrate with your HR system, legacy applications, and cloud SaaS? Are integrations turn-key or do they require API work? Limited integration means you’re not consolidating as much as you think.
- Authentication Flexibility: Does the platform support passwordless options, biometrics, hardware keys, and traditional OTP? Can you mix authentication methods for different user populations? Can you require step-up authentication for sensitive applications? One-size-fits-all authentication frustrates both users and security teams.
- Lifecycle Automation: Does the platform automate user provisioning when HR adds employees? Can you revoke access across all systems instantly when someone leaves? Do you need manual scripts or does the platform handle it natively? Automation saves the most time when infrastructure is complex.
- Policy Granularity And Adaptability: Can you create access rules based on user role, device posture, location, and time of day? Do policies adapt to risk signals or are they static? How much does policy management complexity grow as user counts increase? Rigid policies either frustrate users or leave security gaps.
- Reporting And Audit Capabilities: Can you generate reports for audit compliance without consulting? Do dashboards show access patterns and anomalies? Can you track who has access to what across all systems? Bad reporting means flying blind on governance.
- Deployment Flexibility: Is this cloud-only or can you deploy on-premises or hybrid? Can you run it in your data center if regulatory requirements demand it? What about multi-cloud support? Lock-in matters more than vendors admit.
- User Experience And Adoption: How many steps does authentication take? Can users request access without IT tickets? Does the platform force password resets frequently or use passwordless when possible? Friction in the user experience drives shadow IT adoption.
- Support Quality And Vendor Responsiveness: What’s the SLA for critical issues? Does support escalate to technical staff or stay scripted? How often does the vendor ship updates and features? Does the roadmap align with your needs?
Weight these criteria based on your environment. Microsoft-first you should prioritize native M365 integration. Large enterprises managing hundreds of apps need deep integration range and policy granularity. Organizations moving away from on-premises should emphasize cloud-native architecture. Teams with compliance requirements should focus on audit readiness and policy flexibility.
How We Compared The Best Identity And Access Management Solutions
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews identity and access management solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products.
We evaluated 11 IAM platforms across SMB, mid-market, and enterprise deployments. Each platform was tested for authentication method flexibility, policy granularity and adaptation, integration range, identity lifecycle automation, alongside deployment flexibility and user adoption friction. We also assessed admin console usability and reporting depth, plus operational complexity. Testing covered both cloud-native and hybrid deployment models to understand how platforms handle diverse infrastructure requirements.
Beyond hands-on testing, we conducted extensive vendor market mapping to understand market positioning and direction. We reviewed customer feedback and spoke with identity teams to validate where vendor claims diverge from real-world deployment experience. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products.
This guide is updated quarterly to reflect product releases and market changes. For full details on our testing methodology, visit our How We Test & Review Products.
The Bottom Line
Your ideal IAM solution depends on your existing infrastructure, team size, and identity complexity.
If Microsoft 365 runs your environment, Microsoft Entra ID removes integration friction entirely. Conditional access and native MFA work out of the box. Budget for P2 licensing if you need advanced features.
For distributed teams with mixed OS environments, JumpCloud consolidates identity and device management without enterprise complexity. Zero-touch provisioning saves real time for growing organizations.
If your organization needs compliance controls, CyberArk Workforce Identity excels at access reviews and certification, while tenfold provides no-code workflow automation for permission governance.
For enterprise scale, Okta Workforce Identity Cloud and Ping Identity offer the integration range and policy depth large organizations demand. Okta leads on ease of use; Ping excels at architectural flexibility. IBM Security Verify is a solid choice for hybrid and multi-cloud enterprises.
For credential management as a foundation, Keeper Security handles password management with room to scale into PAM and secrets management.
Read the individual reviews above to understand integration range, policy flexibility, deployment requirements, and user experience trade-offs that matter for your environment.
FAQs
Identity And Access Management: Everything You Need To Know (FAQs)
Our digital identities contain information that defines our role and our level of access in the overall enterprise hierarchy, as well as information about who we are and how to contact us. Identities do not remain stagnant and evolve over time – if there is a change to the role or work technologies, for example. The role of an identity management solution is to keep tabs on these changes to effectively identify individuals, ensuring that the correct people are granted appropriate access.
Identity management involves authenticating digital identities to ensure that a user is authentic, and that they have the correct permissions for being permitted access to a particular network are or service. Any identity that cannot be verified, or does not have the correct permission level, should be prevented from accessing resources.
Authentication and authorization are not the same thing, and both are required to be permitted access. Your identity can be authenticated (proof that you are who you say you are), but that does not mean you have authorization to access a particular area.
Identity access control software facilitates attributes based access control, while identity protection services work to evaluate those attributes based on policies to make an access decision.
Identity and access management is a term that does not stand for a clearly defined system. A range of different functionalities are covered by IAM solutions, but the precise scope of features will differ from one product to the next. IAM solutions give companies the capability to manage users and permissions for various systems and applications, all within one central platform. Automation is a key component for managing digital identities, and is achieved through standardizing processes and workflows across multiple user accounts.
The core properties of an IAM system include the ability to identify, authenticate and authorize. The system will permit access to the desired resources only to the correct people, excluding access to any who are not authorized. System administrators are able to define policies that explain who should be permitted access specific network areas, without compromising security.
An IAM framework includes certain core components, including:
- A database that holds all user information and access privileges
- IAM tools that allow you to create, monitor, modify, and delete access privileges
- A system that allows for auditing login and access history
The list of access privileges needs to be kept up to date, altering as new users start, old users leave, or in response to a role change. IAM functions typically fall under IT departments in charge of handling cybersecurity and data management.
Identity and access management software can be deployed on-premises, or alternatively businesses can take a cloud-based approach. With on-premises deployment, software must be installed on your own computers. Cloud resources, on the other hand, can be deployed quickly and easily without requiring any additional installation.
Not having an IAM strategy is simply not an option today. With hybrid workplaces and so many remote employees, identity and identity compromise is one of the biggest cause of breaches. Users will always need to access data and tools that are restricted from general use. The more robust your identity security, the more comprehensive your overall security will be. This type of solution also makes it easier for users who can use biometric authentication and SSO, for instance, rather than having to manage multiple passwords.
One of the main tasks facing IT teams today is determining how best to protect the identities of their remote workers while ensuring they can still access the resources they need to fulfill their work tasks. IAM supports this by enforcing individual, personalized security.
The benefits of utilizing IAM are obvious but may not seem necessary for every enterprise at first glance. However, all organizations that have users logging into a restricted area can benefit from IAM.
The best way to compare identity security solutions is to first get a clear id
The best way to compare identity sec solutions is to first get a clear idea of your organization’s specific needs. These needs may differ widely depending on industry, number of users, and other risk factors. Once you have a clear understanding of your need, read our buyers guide to understand the top solutions on the market. Your decision may come down to a specific capability, familiarity with the security vendor offering the solution, or specific recommendations from peers.
With such a wide range of IAM solutions available on the market, enterprises may struggle to narrow down their choices. One way to do this is to carry out the following activities:
- Conduct a full audit of legacy systems, particularly if you have applications in the cloud and on-premises
- Identify and outline existing security gaps for both internal and external stakeholders
- Define the different types of users and the specific access rights they will require
Once you have a firm idea of your organization’s security needs, it is time to pick the IAM solution best suited to them. You may choose a standalone solution, a managed identity service, or a cloud subscription service from a third party, such as an Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS).
Solutions will differ from vendor to vendor, but typically should include the following features to be considered a robust solution:
- MFA. This is an absolute must-have that any decent IAM solution should be including. MFA is undeniably safer than using a single authentication method (like a passcode or password/login).
- Passwordless authentication. Passwordless authentication options streamline login process whilst maintaining a robust security standard.
- Privileged Account Management (PAM). Privileged accounts are a particularly vulnerable to attack as these accounts have a high level of access. Compromising a privileged account is an attractive target for attackers. There should be as limited a number of privileged accounts as possible – this way you can reduce the attack surface. IAM solutions should have appropriate and additional controls in place to manage privileged accounts and keep them safe.
- Role-based access control. Organizations utilizing role-based access control will have greater control over their permission, increasing security in critical areas through ensuring that that users only have access to information they absolutely need to do their job role. This comes under the category of zero-trust infrastructure.
- Audit and compliance compatibility. It is increasingly important to be able to provide a comprehensive digital trail for audit purposes and to maintain compliance. A good IAM system should be able to provide this information regarding all users’ access across all digital files.
In your network, who has access to what? If this is not a simple to answer question, there is a chance that the level of data security in your company is lacking. The most significant threat to your organization’s sensitive data is not the infamous hacker, hidden away and hatching plans to poke holes in your defenses. Instead, the greatest danger comes from within. It’s your employees, coworkers, contractors, and – more often than not – it is entirely unintentional. Simply having too many access points can make it so that generally trustworthy employees become a weak point in your armor.
Identity and access management solutions are not only helpful for users, security and IT admins, they are beneficial for enterprises as a whole. There is a range of benefits to having a good IAM framework in place, including:
1) Making The Lives Of End-Users Simpler
With an IAM system enabled, access to corporate systems is granted to users––including employees, contractors, third parties, vendors, customers, guests, and partners–– regardless of their location, the time, or even the device they are using. IT administrators can negate the need for users to manage multiple accounts for all corporate applications or resources by using IAM systems to form a unique digital identity for every one of their users, which includes a single set of credentials.
This streamlined identity security reduces the likelihood of employees ending up locked out of their accounts for long stretches of time, waiting for assistance to reset their passwords or to be provided access, and could help to boost productivity.
With the use of a method of authentication like single sign-on, users can use their unique digital identity to gain access to cloud-based, web-based, SaaS, and virtual applications. SSO helps by easing the friction of the authentication process and contributes to the improvement of user experiences.
2) Improved Password Safety
IAM systems not only allow for a far smoother sign-on process and boost employee productivity, they also contribute to the eradication of outdated and unsecure password practices like reusing passwords or sharing passwords between users insecurely.
One of the most common causes of data breaches is compromised user credentials, with as much as 81% of hacking-related breaches resulting from compromised passwords. This is not surprising, considering that at least 60% of people are regularly reusing passwords across multiple sites despite the known risks of doing so (read more about these risks in our blog: 5 Reasons You Should Never Reuse Passwords). With the password management features offered by many IAM systems, security admins can more easily encourage password best practices––strong authentication measures, frequent password updates, and minimum character lengths––to boost security and prevent common risky password security mistakes.
3) Stronger Data Security
IAM solutions help organizations to identify and mitigate security risks. With IAM policies applied across the whole company, it becomes easier to identify policy violations and cut off access to certain privileges, without the need to search through multiple distributed systems. IAM can also be leveraged to make sure that any security measures that are in place are meeting regulatory and audit requirements. These policies also reduce the threat of internal attacks, as employees are only granted access to systems up to a certain level necessary to perform their role and are unable to escalate privileges without approval or a role change. An IAM can help avoid the spread of compromised login credentials, block unauthorized entry to the organization’s network, and offer protection against a range of cyber-attacks including ransomware, hacking, and phishing.
Increasingly, IAM systems are making use of automation, identity analytics capabilities, and AI and machine learning, which allows them to identify and prevent unusual activity. Also, by using an IAM system, IT departments can keep track of how and where users’ credentials are being used, so admins can more easily identify which data may have been compromised in the event of a data breach.
4) Simplified Security Processes
Having a good IAM system in place for your organization comes with the advantage of boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of your security team by making their lives simpler. Whenever there is an update to an existing security policy, all access privileges can be changed in one sweep across the organization. If your IT administrators can use IAM to allow or deny access, based on predefined user roles already organized neatly in a database, this not only makes the whole process more secure by reducing the likelihood of granting unauthorized access to the wrong users, it also cuts down considerably the amount of time needed to onboard and offboard users.
To prevent any unauthorized individuals from accessing certain resources, security admins can apply to user roles the principle of ‘least privilege’. This means that users are provided with the minimum level of access or permissions required to perform their job functions, which helps by ensuring that employees, contractors, partners and guests can be easily and quickly set up with access to just the resources they need, without compromising data security.
Federated identity management – which SSO is a subset of – works by linking user identities across multiple organizations. With federated identity management, companies and partners can make a noticeable reduction to overhead costs, through sharing a single application for all user identities.
5) Maintain And Demonstrate Regulatory Compliance
Security is also a matter of law, regulation, and contracts. A number of regulations have data security, privacy, and protection mandates in place that relate directly to IAM, including HIPAA, GDPR, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and PCI DSS. In order to demonstrate compliance, organizations need to understand and be able to verify protections for their data, including who has been permitted access to it, what protections are in place to regulate that access, the process to revoke access, and how the management of passwords works.
In the event of a compliance audit, identity management systems also help IT admins to demonstrate that the proper controls are in place to protect corporate information and to prove how, and in what situations, user credentials are used.
6) Management And IT Costs Are Reduced
Up to 50% of helpdesk calls are password-related, typically from users looking to reset their passwords. For a large organization, staffing and infrastructure to handle password-related support costs could equate to over $1 million a year, according to Forrester Research. An IAM system makes managing help desk employees and administrators simpler and significantly reduces the amount of time spent on minor security tasks like helping users who have been locked out of their account gain back access. Instead, that time can go to more important tasks.
Consolidating user accounts into singular identities can come with the added benefit of negating other enterprise expenditures. For example, the cost of managing identities across multiple (often legacy) applications can be reduced using federated identities. With the use of a cloud-based IAM service, you can also reduce or even eliminate the cost of purchasing and maintaining on-premises IAM systems.
Written By
Mirren McDade is a senior writer and journalist at Expert Insights, spending each day researching, writing, editing and publishing content, covering a variety of topics and solutions, and interviewing industry experts.
She is an experienced copywriter with a background in a range of industries, including cloud business technologies, cloud security, information security and cyber security, and has conducted interviews with several industry experts.
Mirren holds a First Class Honors degree in English from Edinburgh Napier University.
Technical Review
Laura Iannini is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Expert Insights. With deep cybersecurity knowledge and strong research skills, she leads Expert Insights’ product testing team, conducting thorough tests of product features and in-depth industry analysis to ensure that Expert Insights’ product reviews are definitive and insightful.
Laura also carries out wider analysis of vendor landscapes and industry trends to inform Expert Insights’ enterprise cybersecurity buyers’ guides, covering topics such as security awareness training, cloud backup and recovery, email security, and network monitoring. Prior to working at Expert Insights, Laura worked as a Senior Information Security Engineer at Constant Edge, where she tested cybersecurity solutions, carried out product demos, and provided high-quality ongoing technical support.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida.