Why is Identity and Access Management (IAM) so important? Because sometimes, people are the literal worst. And it’s not just hackers, although they’re highly sus – we’re including you and your trusted people in this discussion, too.
An ever-expanding digital landscape gives employees access to company servers, software, and data from anywhere with an internet connection. Unauthorized users can gain access when people leave company devices unattended, lose them, or quit without notice – while you’re left wondering just how much information is flapping around in the ether.
If thoughts of data breaches, unauthorized access, and phishing attacks give you cyber hives, you’ll be relieved to know Identity and Access Management (IAM) benefits extend well beyond spotty security. Like a virtual bouncer, the IAM security framework monitors who gets past the velvet rope, reinforcing user access and ensuring privacy for corporate systems and information.
In addition to making sure only the “in crowd” have proper access, IAM acts like a direct injection of pure progress, saving companies time and money by streamlining device and network management and ensuring regulatory compliance. Let’s explore the wonders of IAM and its various and sundry advantages, shall we?
What Makes IAM A Big Deal?
We’ve seen the economy shift, technologies advance, behaviors change, and remote and hybrid workforce opportunities expand – all in the last five years. Moving forward, companies may struggle to convince new team members to wear hard pants IRL when they’ve already done the same job remotely – and in yoga pants. (We won’t go back!)
The way we work has changed at a fundamental level, which creates more space for successful businesses in a wider range of sizes and configurations. Whether your in-person employees work on corporate-owned devices or your remote teams use their own laptops, IAM controls access for businesses of every size, industry, and location, from a shared office in Albuquerque to a dimly-lit cafe in Bora Bora. However, IAM offers much more than Boss-level access control.
Gaze upon these compelling reasons to use IAM as an indispensable security strategy:
| Bonus | Details |
| Security Reinforcement | IAM buffs up existing cybersecurity protocols, making it harder for unauthorized users to access sensitive company data and systems. |
| Compliance | Maintaining access control and producing audit trail documentation helps your brand uphold industry-specific regulations. |
| User Experience | IAM improves user experience and reduces complexity through Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication. |
| Insider Threat Protection | Role-based access control (RBAC) can prevent privilege misuse and minimize risks of shady people going rogue. |
| Operational Efficiency | IAM can streamline user onboarding and offboarding. |
| Remote Workforce Support | IAM facilitates remote and hybrid workforces, helping companies securely manage user access across multiple locations and devices. |
| Access Control | IAM centralizes access management and simplifies control of user identities, roles, and permissions. |
| Risk Management | IAM monitors and identifies security threats and traces access privileges. |
Top Identity and Access Management Benefits
IAM is a flexible security framework supported by company policies, processes, and technology. IAM solutions help companies set specific limits on accessing sensitive digital resources. While these limits obviously help reinforce security and ensure compliance, they can also provide several additional benefits.
Behold! The bonus points of IAM:
1. Enhanced Security and Data Protection
IAM solutions can strengthen your organization’s data security and protection. It not only controls who can access what but also adds layers of security, like two-factor (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Beyond the “velvet rope” of access, IAM demands Templar-level secret handshakes and coded responses to keep nefarious hackers well away from sensitive company information.
2. Streamlined Device and Network Management
When streamlining device and network management, IAM helps simplify the process of provisioning and de-provisioning devices and user accounts. This makes the professional “hello and goodbye” process safer and less stressful for everyone involved.
Cloud-based IAM systems with remote mobile device management (MDM) capabilities can perform maintenance and updates on company devices from afar to increase efficiency and security across multiple platforms.
3. Time and Cost Savings
You might just think of IAM as your new BFF when it automates tasks like onboarding and offboarding, freeing up HR and IT teams to tackle core responsibilities (like CandyCrush). One of IAM’s juiciest advantages is the significant time and cost savings from decreased password resets and manual access control efforts.
4. Access Management
Like an ever-vigilant club bouncer, IAM dons those mirrored shades to enforce role-based access control (RBAC) and attribute-based access control (ABAC) with nary a hint of emotion. It is pivotal in determining “who” and “what” gain entry, ensuring strict adherence to the guest list. (Nobody’s getting in just for slipping a quick Benjamin!)
In this dynamic, IAM guarantees specific permissions for individual users while ushering in vital digital resources. This process facilitates employee access to critical data, systems, and tools with intimidating precision.
5. Regulatory Compliance
IAM solutions play a critical role in maintaining compliance with industry standards and regulations for data protection. IAM can ensure your organization produces beautiful, meticulous records and audit trails for regulatory assessments and security evaluations.
6. Increased Productivity
Single Sign-On (SSO) is critical for your broader IAM system, designed to simplify employee access to company resources from various apps in their IT setup. This means less time spent dealing with password problems and fewer calls to your IT department. The result? Your employees – no longer help vampires – can focus on core tasks and improve overall productivity.
7. Improved Employee Experience (EX)
IAM is more than just muscle; it also makes your employees’ experience more enjoyable and engaging. Using IAM can decrease security risks while also smoothing interactions for your teams and external partners. Rather than prompting facepalms among valuable team members, IAM helps you create seamless, personalized user experiences that leave a positive impression and improve overall employee satisfaction. (Or, you could just buy ponies for everyone.)
8. Future-Proofing Against Cyber Threats
At its heart, IAM plays the vital role of Gatekeeper: confirming, verifying, and permitting user access while protecting company resources from unauthorized individuals.
It’s worth noting, however, that most cyber risks result from operator error: human actions (like social engineering) and weak IAM practices. Keeping your IAM security updated is a smart strategy to help protect you from yourself – and your employees. Staying aware of changes in IAM practices signals your proactive stance against cyber threats and strengthens a secure future for your organization.
Ignition IT: Deploying IAM for Brighter Futures
IAM should be one of the majestic pillars of your business operations model, bestowing benefits that trickle down like golden droplets of increased efficiency, security, and growth. If you’re facing crusty legacy systems and complex IT setups, Ignition can help upgrade your abacus to a shinier, more comprehensive system.
When your IAM-curious company is finally ready to enjoy the bounty of benefits, Ignition provides IT security shepherds to help implement your own identity and access management framework. Our services are tested and trusted by oodles of happy clients – and they can vouch that we use real humans to help with tech problems, security, audit-friendly regulatory compliance, onboarding, and performance monitoring.
Ignition is Silicon Valley’s best (and friendliest) IT security, compliance, and support team. Contact us now – chatting about IT support and cybersecurity is our favorite thing to do!