Guide 2024 What is Identity and Access Management

IAM or Identity and Access Management is essentially referred to as the gatekeeper to a company’s digital fortress. With the explosion of digital data, IAM is now no longer confined to physical badges or usernames. IAM demands a newer approach and managing all user accounts within a single system is not just enough. Today IAM has to be a holistic security shield that protects both the organization and its users. 

In this guide, we are going to unfold the convergence in IAM and the broader spectrum of identity verification methods, and all unknown information about IAMs that you must know in 2024.

How do the three technological pillars of IAM work together?

IAM is based on three solid pillars:

1.Authentication: 

It is a process to authenticate your identity claimed in digital space. For instance, an employee of an organization or a registered user of an app enters their username/email to prove their identity. 

Let’s take a look at the breakdown of various authentication methods in wide use today:

• Username & Password: This is the classic combo, but highly susceptible to brute-force, phishing and credential misuse. 
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Due to the growing number of compromised credentials, adding an extra layer of security beyond username and passwords is made critical on average applications today.
• Biometric Authentication: Make use of human’s unique physical characteristics for verification, like their fingerprint scans, facial recognition, or iris scans.
• Security Tokens: Hardware tokens or software-based tokens that generate unique codes for secure logins widely seen in major firms with 1000s of employees.
• Certificate-Based Authentication: Think of digital passports that uses digital certificates issued by trusted authorities to verify identity 
• Social Login: Verified users to log in using their existing social media credentials (e.g., Google, Facebook). Has greater user convenience but comes with potential privacy concerns.
• Behavioral Biometrics: Analyses typing patterns, mouse movements, or even voice patterns to identify users based on behaviour, think of Captcha.
• Risk-Based Authentication: Adapts security measures based on factors like login location or time of day. (Stricter for high-risk situations)
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs: A cryptographic technique where users prove they possess information (like a password) without revealing it to the system, enhancing privacy.

2. Authorization:

Authorization follows closely after Authentication.  While authentication verifies a user's identity ("Are you who you say you are?"), authorization determines what a user can do within the system. Let’s take a look at the various breakdown of authorization in IAM:

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): The typical approach, where you do tend to assign a user one of many possible roles. It could be an administrator, an editor, or a viewer—each one of those roles can be assigned to a particular set of permissions that interact with a specific set of resources or a specific set of activities.
• Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Much more granular, looking at other attributes besides a user's role. Those are location, time of day, device type, and even sensitivity levels to certain types of data. It provides access only if the user's attributes comply with the pre-defined access policies.
• Policy-Based Access Control (PBAC): It allows access rules definition based on some conditions and some attributes. In many ways, it is more flexible than RBAC and, therefore, can be exercised more to get hold of the complex access control logic.

3. Accounting: 

Logging all user activities is a very critical part of a security audit in an organization that will be required in compliance, security investigation and operational monitoring. IAMs of today are capable of not just recording user activities but also take action and includes

• Authentication and Session Management
• Access Control Changes
• Configuration and Policy Management
• Data Management Actions
• System and Application Interactions
• Anomaly and Threat Detection
• Network Activities
• Compliance and Audit Reviews
• Incident Response and Management
• User-Initiated Activities

Why IAM is significant for Enterprises

In today's data-driven world as we mentioned in the beginning of the article "the so-called data explosion”, IAM plays a pivotal role in protecting sensitive information. 

Here's why it's crucial for any enterprise be it small, mid-sized or large:

• Data Security: Employing a robust IAM safeguards confidential data, preventing unauthorized access and potential breaches, particularly crucial for businesses handling sensitive financial or user’s PII(Personal Identifiers).
• Compliance: Many regulations, like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and the recent EIDA mandate use of IAM practices to ensure data privacy and security within the organization.
• User Experience: Streamlined IAM processes benefits not just the organization but also offers a smooth and efficient user experience by minimizing login hassles with advanced passwordless authentications and providing role-based access to relevant resources.
• Productivity: Effective IAM ensures employees get right access at the right time to perform their tasks efficiently, minimizing time wasted on authorization issues.

How Passwordless Revolution eliminates Login Hassles

With social login inclusion in the login screen, The traditional password-based authentication method is less preferred by users for quicker access and convenient login. Remembering complex passwords and managing them across multiple platforms is a constant struggle. Storing passwords in a DB is vulnerable to attacks. These are some of the reasons however password based is plagued by drawbacks. Thankfully, the IAM landscape is embracing a passwordless future, offering more convenient and secure login experiences. 

Here are some emerging passwordless trends:

• Biometric Authentication: Fingerprint scanners, facial recognition, and iris scans offer a more natural and secure way to verify identity, eliminating the need to remember passwords.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) with Push Notifications: Instead of relying on SMS codes, push notifications sent to a trusted device can streamline the MFA process.
• Magic Links with OTP for every login.

What are the key trends in IAM that will influence its adoption rates in 2024?

1. Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) introduce a revolutionary concept in IAM, allowing you to prove you possess the necessary information (like a password) without revealing it to the system itself. Imagine proving you have the key to the castle without actually showing the key to the wizard (the IAM system). ZKPs enhance security by minimizing the amount of sensitive data stored within the system, making it less vulnerable to breaches.

2. Decentralized IAM

Traditionally, IAM systems have functioned as centralized fortresses, with a single entity controlling user identities and access permissions. However, the trend is shifting towards a more democratic approach – Decentralized IAM (DIAM). Imagine a network of interconnected castles, each with its own security protocols, but collaborating for overall control. DIAM offers several advantages:

• Enhanced User Control: Users have greater control over their digital identities, managing their data and access permissions independently.
• Improved Security: Distributing control across the network minimizes the risk of a single point of failure. If one "castle" is compromised, the others remain secure.
• Increased Transparency: DIAM fosters increased transparency as users can track how their data is used and shared across different systems.
• Flexibility and Scalability: Decentralized systems can adapt and scale more easily to accommodate a growing user base and evolving needs.

DIAM leverages technologies like blockchain, which functions like a secure and tamper-proof digital ledger, to store and manage user identities and access controls. This technology ensures the immutability and transparency of access logs, further enhancing security and trust.

How can organizations overcome current barriers to implementing IAM solutions in 2024?

The future of IAM is brimming with innovation driven by the need for enhanced security, user experience, and adaptability. Here are some key trends to watch from the insights of our CEO-Jegan Selvaraj:

“As CEO, keeping our data secure is paramount. That's why I'm excited about the future of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions. These next-generation systems will go beyond simple logins to create a dynamic, intelligent security shield for our organization and that’s exactly what we want Infisign to offer a business.

Here's what I find most promising:

• Adaptive Authentication: Imagine a system that adjusts security based on context. Stricter protocols for accessing sensitive data on public Wi-Fi? Done. This ensures our valuable information remains protected, regardless of location or device.
• Continuous Threat Detection: We don’t have to wait for breaches to happen and react. Advanced analytics and AI will be continuously monitoring user activity, spotting suspicious behavior before it becomes a threat to an organization. This proactive approach will definitely help us to stay ahead of potential threats.
• Empowering Users: The concept of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) resonates strongly. It puts control of data back in the hands of our employees and customers. They can choose what information to share and with whom, promoting trust and privacy. Blockchain technology here further strengthens this by creating a secure and tamper-proof record of identity data.
• AI-Powered Efficiency: The potential of AI and machine learning in IAM is vast. Imagine automated tasks, predictive security measures, and faster response times to threats. This translates to a more efficient and secure environment for everyone. At Infisign, we have added AI Access Assist in production and more AI based features are in the pipeline.

By embracing these advancements in IAM, we can build a security infrastructure that adapts, safeguards, and empowers. It's an investment in the future of our company and the peace of mind of our team and clients.”

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

1. What is the primary purpose of IAM software? IAM software aims to ensure that the right people have the right access to the right resources at the right times.
2. How does Single Sign-On (SSO) benefit users? SSO simplifies the user experience by allowing them to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials, reducing password fatigue.
3. Why is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) important? MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access.
4. Can IAM software help with regulatory compliance? Yes, IAM software helps organizations comply with regulations by providing detailed access logs, audit trails, and enforcing security policies.
5. Is cloud-based IAM software secure? Cloud-based IAM solutions are generally secure, offering advanced encryption and security measures. However, it's essential to choose a reputable provider.
6. How do I choose the best IAM software for my organization? Consider factors such as scalability, integration capabilities, user experience, cost, and the specific needs of your organization when choosing IAM software.

Conclusion:

IAM plays a critical role in safeguarding the digital realm, ensuring secure access to information and resources. As technology evolves, IAM practices will continue to adapt, embracing passwordless authentication, decentralized control, and advanced threat detection mechanisms. As we navigate the ever-expanding digital landscape, understanding the core principles of IAM empowers us to make informed decisions regarding our online security and privacy.

We @Infisign see IAM as the Kingdom Defender rather than a gatekeeper to the company's digital fortress.

‍Resources:

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-63B: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/specialpublications/nist.sp.800-63b.pdf
• Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Security, Identity & Access Management (SIAM) Framework: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/research/topics/identity-and-access-management
• FIDO Alliance: https://fidoalliance.org/overview/

Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF): https://identity.foundation/