Modern organisations manage hundreds, and often thousands, of user accounts, devices, and services in IT and cloud environments.
Without a proper identity management system, unauthorised access, data leaks, and compliance breaches can occur.
The solution to these problems is IAM – Identity and Access Management.
What Is IAM (Identity and Access Management)?
IAM is a set of technologies, processes, and policies that ensure:
- control over who has access to which resources,
- when and why that access was granted,
- the ability to immediately revoke or change permissions.
IAM guarantees that “the right people have the right access to the right resources – at the right time and for the right reasons”.
Why IAM Is Critical for Security
- Enhanced Security – protects against unauthorised access and account takeovers.
- Regulatory Compliance – facilitates meeting GDPR, ISO 27001, NIS2, and SOX requirements.
- Operational Efficiency – automation of access processes reduces IT burden.
- Visibility and Control – full audit trails of who accessed what and when.
Key Components of IAM
- Authentication – verifying user identity (e.g., passwords, biometrics, MFA).
- Authorisation – granting permissions based on roles (RBAC, ABAC).
- User Lifecycle Management – automation of account creation, updates, and deletion.
- Audit and Reporting – logging all changes and operations in the access system.
How to Implement IAM in Your Organisation
- Needs Assessment – identify systems, data, and resources requiring access control.
- IAM Tool Selection – choose platforms suited to your environment (e.g., Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, One Identity, PingID).
- Training and Awareness – educate users on secure access principles and password policies.
- HR Process Integration – link identity lifecycle to employee onboarding and offboarding.
Example IAM Technologies
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) | YubiKey, Duo, Microsoft Authenticator |
| SSO (Single Sign-On) | Azure AD, Okta, Keycloak |
| PAM (Privileged Access Management) | CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Delinea |
| IGA (Identity Governance & Administration) | SailPoint, One Identity |
IAM and the Zero Trust Model
IAM is the foundation of Zero Trust architecture because it enables:
- verification of every user and device for every access request,
- minimisation of privileges (Least Privilege Access),
- implementation of the “Never trust, always verify” principle.
Without effective IAM, you cannot implement Zero Trust.
Get in Touch
I help companies implement IAM, PAM, and MFA systems compliant with NIST SP 800-63 best practices and ISO 27001 Annex A (Control A.9 – Access Control).
Email: biuro@wichran.pl
Phone: +48 515 601 621
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Court-appointed IT forensic expert, IT/OT cybersecurity specialist, licensed private investigator
@Informatyka.Sledcza