Why is IAM now more important than ever?
IAM – short for Identity and Access Management – is crucial for the operational efficiency of modern businesses. Identity is the starting point of any digital user journey, be it employees or customers.
When user identity and access are managed systematically, employees can work more efficiently, customers can use services more easily & securely, and the overall user experience improves.
I think that IAM is much like brushing your teeth: it is mandatory maintenance work, and if neglected over time, the damage can be beyond repair. That being said, I actually think that many organisations do recognise the importance of IAM. The issue is that they don’t have the IAM expertise and/or time to do it systematically.
But what are the potential risks of poor identity and access management?
Common identity and access management risks
Many times organisations build a service and let the software rot. They might think that some services are less risky because they are less used than others, leaving the door open to security threats.
Modern consumers are quick to judge services based on user experience, making it easier for them to switch between services.
People are working remotely more than they did before the pandemic, and guaranteeing information security outside the office is crucial.
Some legacy systems may not be GDPR compliant, which leaves your business vulnerable for reputational damage.
And the solution? To minimise the risks and turn IAM to a competitive advantage instead, a centralised IAM solution is a wise investment.
Benefits of a centralised IAM solution
Automating how user identities and access are captured, recorded and managed is at the very core of IAM technology. To prevent IAM headaches in the future, here are the main benefits of a centralised IAM solution.
Easier maintenance and a more straightforward way for technical teams to unify identities across different services from one centralised place.
Integrating existing identities to a new service is easy for developers. There is no need to reinvent the wheel for each service separately, which can decrease the time-to-market of a new service.
One common identity across different services gives better visibility to user behaviour, which can open up opportunities for cross sales, for example.
Smooth signup and login experiences help customers to use the services more, making them less likely to leave altogether.
Information security improves when access is centrally managed and users don’t have to remember multiple passwords.
Is IAM a challenge or an opportunity for your business?
There is a lot happening in the background, when a simple login or sign up button is clicked. Since the impact of IAM is so far-reaching, I think it should be seen as its own special area of expertise in organisations. If doing everything in-house is not feasible for you, supporting your team with external IAM specialists is an effective way to minimise risks and use IAM to your advantage.