Understanding Identity and Access Management as a Service

Many organizations use some form of identity and access management to control user access to data environments, systems, or other components within an IT infrastructure. Identity and access management as a service enhances access management by providing on-demand, customizable IAM security capabilities. Read on to learn more. 

 

What is Identity and Access Management as a Service?

To provide insights into identity and access management as a service, this blog will cover: 

• A breakdown of identity and access management as a service
• Types of identity and access management as a service solutions

Identity and access management as a service provides greater IAM flexibility and will help strengthen your security posture in the long term. Working with an identity and access management service provider will help optimize IAM across your organization.

 

What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)? 

Identity and access management (IAM) refers to the processes or tools that control how users access components of an IT infrastructure, such as:

• Hardware (e.g., workstations, laptops)
• Software (e.g., web applications, cloud-hosted applications)
• Systems (e.g., security systems, data management systems)
• Networks (e.g., LANs, cloud servers)

IAM systems rely on two principle processes to mitigate unauthorized user access to data: 

• Authentication – In the first process, the IAM identifies a user based on pre-determined criteria such as:
  • Role of the user in the organization
  • Business need for gaining access
  • Account credentials or biometric data
• Authorization – The second process of IAM involves providing access to the authenticated user once the authentication requirements have been satisfied.

Identity management is responsible for controlling user access to sensitive data environments. Vulnerabilities in the design and implementation of an IAM can result in significant security risks, such as data breaches and the loss of sensitive data.

 

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IAM via Identity and Access Management as a Service

Unlike traditional solutions providing IAM,  identity and access management as a service—also known as Identity as a Service (IDaaS)—is primarily offered on the cloud. 

Essentially, identity and access management as a service solutions are IAM tools that provide the adaptability of cloud-based “as a service” solutions such as:

• Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud-hosted software
• Platform as a Service (PaaS) cloud-hosted platforms
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud-hosted IT infrastructure

Depending on the vendor, identity and access management as a service may be offered as a standalone IAM tool or combined with IAM solutions deployed on-premise. 

Types of Identity and Access Management as a Service Solutions 

Two of the identity and access management as a service solutions available to you when you outsource IAM to a third-party vendor are on-premise and hybrid offerings.

 

On-Premise Identity and Access Management as a Service 

Organizations whose IT assets are located within their geographical confines benefit the most from on-premise identity and access management as a service solutions, especially if they can be managed from the cloud. Typically, IAM services that safeguard on-premise devices will:

• Log user access events for devices such as:
  • IoT devices (e.g., smart thermostats, CCTV cameras)
  • Networked printers
  • Security systems for facilities containing sensitive data
• Flag unusual access events such as:
  • Elevation of access privileges
  • Attempts to access systems outside of business hours
• Initiate appropriate incident response protocols for potential threats

The capabilities of on-premise identity and access management services can also extend to those assets primarily deployed on the cloud.

 

Hybrid Identity and Access Management as a Service 

For organizations whose assets are located both on-premise and on the cloud, hybrid IAM solutions cater to the needs of cloud and on-premise users. 

The most common hybrid identity and access management as a service solutions include:

• Multifactor authentication (MFA) – Identity and access management via MFA helps manage user access across multiple devices or interfaces and is typically deployed as two-factor authentication.
• Single sign-on (SSO) authentication – SSO also helps manage user access events across multiple devices or accounts by having one primary administrative account authorize user access to other accounts.

Hybrid identity and access management services will help secure your IT assets on the cloud and on-premise, ensuring your organization is fully protected against cybersecurity risks. 

It is always best to consult with an identity and access management services provider on the best identity and access management as a service solutions available to your organization.

 

Secure Your IT Infrastructure with IAM Services

Identity and access management is critical to safeguarding your entire IT infrastructure from unauthorized access attempts by cybercriminals. The effectiveness of identity and access management as a service will help you stay ahead of access control vulnerabilities and securely manage your cybersecurity. With the help of an identity and access management services partner, your organization will enjoy faster, more streamlined identity and access management.

Contact RSI Security today to learn more!