Cloud based access or solutions that allow you to use on-premises legacy applications risk-free through the cloud can make work much more easy. This goes especially for companies with teams overseas or multiple offices - easy to integrate IAM software solves this. And we’ll cover how this can be scaled in this modern, cloud era.
What is the Cloud Era?
The cloud era refers to a technological landscape where applications, data, and services are hosted on distributed cloud environments rather than confined to local servers. This shift transforms how enterprises manage workloads, enabling dynamic scalability and global accessibility.
With this evolution, security frameworks like IAM must adapt to handle decentralized access points, diverse user bases, and multi-cloud architectures. Features such as identity federation and conditional access controls help establish secure, adaptive systems for managing user identities in a cloud-centric ecosystem.
Why is Scaling IAM in a Cloud Era Challenging?
Scaling IAM in the cloud era presents challenges due to the need to manage access across multiple cloud environments and devices.
Traditional on-premises models often fail to accommodate the dynamic nature of cloud-based systems, requiring adaptive identity protocols to handle diverse access points.
With shifting user roles, evolving security threats, and decentralized data, IAM solutions must continuously adapt, which means that compliance and access control remain watertight.
How Do You Scale IAM Solutions For Enterprises in the Cloud Era?
1. Choose the Right IAM Software for Cloud-Based Platforms
First and foremost, only look at modern IAM software that supports federated identity protocols, for quick authentication across multi-cloud architectures.
By using role-based access control (RBAC) and adaptive policies, you can handle diverse workloads without overcomplicating permission management.
Additionally, solutions with granular activity monitoring help detect anomalies in real-time, facilitating preemptive actions against potential breaches. Features like just-in-time access and automated lifecycle management streamline user provisioning while maintaining security standards.
Cloud-native IAM tools must also integrate with DevOps pipelines, ensuring that access policies evolve alongside application development cycles.
2. Understand the Current Roles and Permissions Assigned in Your Company Even if Decentralized or Remote
An Identity and Access Management (IAM) system provides the control needed to manage roles and permissions effectively, even in decentralized or remote setups.
It achieves this by mapping user access to specific responsibilities, ensuring every role has the appropriate level of access to sensitive systems and data. For IT administrators, this precision is critical in preventing privilege creep across the organization.
Not access speed or convenience—data mismanagement opens doors to internal threats and costly security lapses. Avoiding these pitfalls is central to an IT leader's success.
IAM solutions like Infisign simplify this process through automated role audits and real-time access tracking,
3. Create a Clear Separation of Duties (SoD) and Make Sure There is Least Privilege for All Locations
In scaling IAM solutions for cloud platforms, managing access rights across global locations introduces layers of complexity. Adopting tools that enforce clear separation of duties (SoD) helps establish boundaries between administrative and operational functions, reducing risks tied to privilege misuse.
In doing so, least privilege principles can be applied dynamically. Features such as automated privilege revocation based on inactivity or specific triggers allow fine-tuned access management. This approach reduces unnecessary permissions while addressing compliance requirements.
IAM solutions also support conditional access models, factoring in parameters like geolocation and user behavior patterns.
4. Make Sure Provisioning and Deprovisioning is Automated With Policies
While many IAM solutions focus on access control, one feature that significantly streamlines workflows is automated provisioning and deprovisioning. This reduces the manual workload when onboarding or offboarding users, making processes faster and more reliable.
Beyond this, establishing policy-driven automation ensures access assignments remain consistent with role requirements, preventing unnecessary access accumulation over time.
Tools like SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) simplify the synchronization of user directories and permissions across platforms. These frameworks maintain operational efficiency while preserving security, even as systems and access needs evolve.
5. Use Adaptive MFA Based on Conditional Access Based on IP Address, Device, and Location
Companies with cloud-based ecosystems built trust by using adaptive multi-factor authentication (MFA) based on conditional access parameters like IP address, device, and location.
Adaptive MFA achieves this by dynamically adjusting authentication requirements, and creating secure, compliant access patterns—a top priority for CISOs managing global operations and sensitive data in their tech ecosystems.
Not ease of deployment or generic policies—failure to tailor authentication can lead to unauthorized access and significant financial repercussions. Avoiding these scenarios is integral to the role of security-focused IT leaders.
Cloud-based IAM software like Infisign address this by using real-time contextual data to strengthen user authentication and reduce exposure to evolving threats.
6. Assign Admin or Privileged Access Management (PAM) to Limited Users
Many IAM tools support broad access controls, but one feature that significantly enhances security is limiting admin or privileged access to specific users. This reduces the risk of unauthorized actions while keeping critical functions under tight control.
In addition, employing Privileged Access Management (PAM) frameworks can introduce just-in-time access, allowing elevated permissions only when needed and for a predefined duration.
Features like session monitoring and detailed logging provide real-time oversight of privileged accounts. These tools ensure high-level activities are traceable and comply with governance standards, safeguarding sensitive data and critical systems from insider threats or errors.
7. Centralize Your Full-Tech Stack, Users, and Tools With Directory Sync
For cloud-based platforms, managing multiple directories and systems often leads to operational inefficiencies. Using directory sync capabilities, you can centralize disparate tech stacks, unifying user data across platforms without duplication or inconsistency.
This makes identity workflows become more streamlined. Aside from this, features like real-time synchronization between directories and apps reduce dependency on manual updates, ensuring data accuracy. This consistency supports seamless authentication processes and enables role assignments that reflect organizational structures.
Directory sync also allows deeper integrations with security tools, creating a unified source of truth for access controls. By maintaining this centralization, IAM solutions can better adapt to evolving enterprise requirements while improving scalability.
8. Create Privileged Access for On-Premises and Legacy Applications That Can be Accessed Remotely
An Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution establishes the trust enterprises need to secure on-premises and legacy applications for remote access.
It does this by connecting legacy systems to modern authentication protocols, making them secure and audit-ready — an essential focus for CISOs managing hybrid environments within their tech stack.
Not ease of use or flashy dashboards—compromised access to legacy systems can expose sensitive data, leading to massive financial and reputational damage. Avoiding these threats is a non-negotiable priority for enterprise IT leaders.
IAM platforms tackle this issue by creating controlled privileged access paths and enabling granular oversight of remote interactions
9. Make Use of AI Access Assist for Easier Access Control
While there are various IAM tools, one feature that consistently improves access control is AI-powered assistance.
This tool can speed up access management by automating routine tasks, such as role assignments and permission adjustments, based on user behavior and context.
By utilizing machine learning, AI-driven systems can identify patterns in user activity, adjusting access levels dynamically. This reduces manual intervention, lowering the risk of human error. Features like real-time risk assessment and predictive access patterns help optimize security while ensuring that only authorized individuals gain access,
10. Make Sure Your IAM Has a Wide Range of APIs for Flexibility
Scaling IAM solutions in the cloud era requires flexibility to accommodate diverse workflows and tools. By selecting IAM systems with a robust set of APIs, you can enable customized integrations across your existing tech ecosystem, fostering interoperability without disruption.
In doing so, workflows such as automated user provisioning and deprovisioning become easier to align with business needs. Features that support API-driven access management allow granular control over permissions, ensuring security policies are consistently applied across all platforms.
APIs also facilitate real-time data exchange between IAM and external applications, improving visibility into access patterns
Why Choose Infisign for Your Growing Enterprise?
Infisign has over 6000+ app integrations making it easy to use with your existing tech stack. Also it has directory-sync without an additional charge - which is not the case with most IAM.
This means you can have SSO and Adaptive MFA on all your applications. Have software you’re selling? Well, customer sign-ups become a lot more easy through social logins and the progressive on boarding Infisign UniFed. Most importantly - we also enable NAG or network access gateway - meaning you can enable SSO for on premise or legacy applications both safely and remotely. Want to know more? sign up for a free trial to see if Infisign works for you!
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